WDS: Pakistanis put new JF-17C on show

The jet appearing in the static display is operated by 16 Sqn ‘Black Panthers’ located at PAF Base Minhas, the first unit to be re-equipped with the JF-17C. A second squadron is believed to have now re-equipped in the south of the country.

With all the new systems and weapons that are being added, the new Block 3 elevates the Pak-Sino-designed jet into a new sphere.

The biggest upgrade is the Nanjing KLJ-7A active electronically scanned array (AESA ) radar, which comes with a new avionics suite that includes a wide angle head-up display (HUD) in the cockpit and a new Chinese helmet-mounted display sight.

For self-protection there is also an embedded Chinese electronic countermeasures (ECM) system.

A new integrated Klimov RD-93MA powerplant will provide an extra 5,000Ibs of thrust, giving that extra power that will also eliminate the black smoke often appearing when the jet accelerates. 

Another area where the JF-17C has seen considerably enhanced is the weapons load, with the increase to four weapons stations under each wing with one of them courtesy of a twin-rack, allowing it to carry two missiles.

There is an additional station under the central fuselage, and a chin-mounted hard point that houses the Turkish Aselsan Aselpod targeting pod. New Chinese missiles are also being integrated that will be matched by the range of the new KLJ-7A radar.

With all 30 new JF-17C Block 3s to be delivered soon, attention will focus on the upgrade of the 50 Block 2s with new avionics, but the 50 Block 1s will remain as they are.