PAC JF-17 Thunder
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex / Chengdu · Pakistan / China · first flew 2003 · fighter
A low-cost lightweight multirole fighter jointly developed by Pakistan and China, powered by a single Klimov RD-93 turbofan.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Blended body with leading-edge root extensions and wingtip missile rails |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin side-mounted intakes behind the cockpit feeding a single tail exhaust
- Blended body with leading-edge root extensions and wingtip missile rails
- Single swept fin with two small ventral fins and a one-piece windshield
Note the slim fuselage with twin cheek intakes and a single round exhaust. The LERX-blended wing and twin ventral fins are distinctive.
Specifications
- The PAC JF-17 Thunder has a length of 14.93 m (49 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.45 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1910 km/h (1187 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Derived from China's FC-1/Super-7 to replace the PAF's ageing Mirage III/V, F-7 and A-5 fleets, the JF-17 first flew in 2003 and entered Pakistani service later that decade.
Variants
Block I and Block II improved avionics and added a refuelling probe, while serial Block III production from 2020 brought AESA radar, a helmet display and the PL-15E missile. The twin-seat JF-17B first flew in 2017.
Where you'll see it
Pakistan operates around 150, with exports to Myanmar, Nigeria and Azerbaijan. Not seen in UK skies.
Related aircraft
- BAE Systems Harrier GR.9
- British Aerospace Harrier II GR.9
- CAC FC-1 Xiaolong (JF-17 Thunder)
- GAIC FTC-2000 Shanying
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