China, Pak test fly new fighter jet

BEIJING: China and Pakistan on Wednesday held the maiden operational test flight of a prototype of 'JF-17 Thunder', a third-generation multi-role combat aircraft, paving way for serial production for their own use as well as for exports to developing countries.

The fourth prototype of JF-17 Thunder single-seated aircraft, equipped with sophisticated avionics and weapon systems, was flown for 11 minutes at 1,500 meters height at 500 kmph.

It took off from the People's Liberation Air force base, Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, and landed at the same runway without a hitch, source said.

Chief of Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed who was chief guest at the ceremony congratulated the pilots, engineers and technicians of the two countries to make the JF-17 Thunder project successful.

China has previously test-flown prototypes PT-1, PT-2 and PT-3 focussing on operational flight capabilities. The PT-4 prototype test-flown today was to assess the aircraft's avionics and weapons integration, sources said.

The success at the first operational test flight would enable China and Pakistan to formally start its production for
their own use as well as for exports to developing countries, defence sources said.

According to sources, the aircraft has the comprehensive combat capability of a third generation fighter. The plane is capable of carrying multiple air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.