Pakistan officially inducts J10C 4.5+ Generation fighter aircraft in its air force

11th March 2022 is a landmark day in the history of Pakistan as it officially inducted multi-role J10C 4.5+ generation Chinese combat aircraft into its air force today in a special ceremony held at PAF Base Kamra. The prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was the chief guest. The induction of J10 aircraft is seen as a counter balance to the recently inducted Rafale aircraft in the Indian air force. The J-10C will significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force.

China, a long tested ally of Pakistan, has been consistently providing cutting-edge military equipment to its closest ally and iron brother, Pakistan. This military cooperation is seen by many as a Chinese ploy aimed at counterbalancing India’s military power in the region.  the J-10C also took part in the Pakistan-China joint exercise Shaheen, during which it successfully hit all targets. Due to their close military ties, Pakistan and China hold Joint Air Exercises every year. Pakistan hosted the first such drill in March 2011.

Already both China and Pakistan have jointly produced JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft, of which three variants have already been inducted into its air force. Not only this, Pakistan has also exported JF-17 Thunder aircraft to Myanmar and Nigeria and many countries have showed their interest in low cost high performance aircraft.

The Chengdu J-10 (simplified Chinese: 歼-10; traditional Chinese: 殲-10; NATO reporting name: Firebird) also known as Vigorous Dragon (Chinese: 猛龙; pinyin: Měnglóng), is a medium-weight, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft capable of all-weather operations, configured with a delta wing and canard design, with fly-by-wire flight controls. The J-10 is mainly designed for air-to-air combat, but can also perform strike missions.

J-10C is the upgraded version of J-10B, it is equipped with an indigenous Active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire-control radar and is equipped with imaging infrared seeker (IIR) PL-10, WS-10B engine[59] and new dual pulse rocket motor PL-15 air-to-air missile (AAM).

Watch the officially launched video of J10C by  Pakistan Airforce today:

Know more about J10C aircraft and its design features by clicking here.

Photo: PAF Fighters | References | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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JF-17 Thunder - Homing on the frontiers beyond

JF-17 Thunder, the Pakistan-China joint venture is one subject that attracts viewers to my earlier posts on this aircraft throughout the year. Therefore, I thought to add more to it as an update on my previous posts.

The JF-17 Thunder project after making headlines at the Farnborough air show earlier this year, has recently been at the centre of attraction for the prospective buyers at the 8th China International aviation and Aerospace Exhibition recently held in the China’s coastal city of Zhuhai. Some 35 countries participated in the exhibition. This was the first time that Pakistan also participated in the Exhibition with its proud possession of JF-17 Thunders, besides the K-8 Karakoram trainer aircraft (also a joint production of China and Pakistan).

Beside many attractions, the air show also provided its participants a rare opportunity to see China’s J-10 aircraft, followed by awesome aerobatic display of the three JF-17 Thunders by the Pakistani pilots. The Sherdils of Pakistan displayed hair raising aerobatics with their ten K-8 trainer aircraft, which really spellbound the spectators.

The participants of the exhibition are reported to have taken keen interest in the JF-17 Thunder, which provides a low price tagged solution to the challenges in the air with its par excellence avionics, reduced maintenance and operational costs as compared to other aircraft of the same class and category. South African and French companies have already shown interest in updating the JF-17’s avionics and weapons package.

It may be added here that Pakistan Air Force has already officially inducted its first JF-17 squadron on 18th February 2010 and is in the process of adding yet another squadron soon. This light weight multirole all-weather combat aircraft has seven external hard points that can carry 8,000 pounds of ordnance. Internal armament comprises one 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel cannon mounted under the port side air intake, which can be replaced with a 30 mm GSh-30-2 twin-barrel cannon.

Related Link:

Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder at Farnborough Air Show 2010

JF-17 Thunder – the first squadron enters Pakistan Air Force

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Bravo!! Pakistan Army Team - Men at their Best

Each year, a military competition is held in Britain, known as the “Cambrian Patrol” to provide a challenging patrols exercise in order to develop operational capability among young and energetic military personnel from almost all over the world. The exercise is held in Wales and is organized by HQ 160 (W) Brigade on behalf of HQ 5 Div and conducted in the Cambrian Mountains of mid-Wales.The three day patrol exercise demands a very high state of physical fitness and endurance, besides testing the leadership qualities of young officers and men in achieving the given mission assignment.

This year, a total of 86 teams participated in the patrol exercise, which included 70 teams from the UK and remaining from other countries that included besides others the teams from Pakistan, India, Canada, France, Afghanistan, Germany and even the USA. Each team comprises of 8 men carrying up to 55 kilos each across some of the most unforgiving terrain. There have been accounts of teams trudging through bog land up to their waist for 4 hours only to cover 1.5 km. It's a test of leadership, self discipline, courage and determination. The exercise usually starts with teams arriving at a RV before having their equipment checked to make sure they have everything required. Missing equipment is replaced by dead weight and points are deducted. After receiving the orders, each team prepares a sand model to make plan. And then the race starts while the clock ticks. The teams almost run to close the timings through marshes, water channels, back breaking mountains and long stretches of plains.

During the three day exercise, all teams tried their best to take a lead on the other. But at the end, it was Pakistan’s team that took the lead over the rest of 85 teams and won the coveted gold medal. Well this goes without saying the winning of the gold medal speaks volumes of excellent training given to Pakistan Army. The credit goes to the entire team, the X Corps and the Pakistan Army for achieving this milestone achievement. Well done Lieutenant Basit and his team.

Pakistan Army Team: Photo Courtesy: ISPR

Cambrian Patrols 14.10.10 Video (YouTube)

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6th September – The Defence of Pakistan Day

It was 6th of September many years ago in 1965 when the defence forces of Pakistan stood united to beat back an aggression from its easterly neighbour. For seventeen days, the aggressor tried to outscore defence forces of Pakistan despite having an upper edge in numbers and weaponry, but failed and finally had to withdraw after the Tashkent Declaration signed by the two countries with the assistance of the then USSR.

Today, the defence forces of Pakistan are facing yet another enemy – much bigger and stronger in its might. This enemy that doesn’t differentiate between the rich and the poor and takes it along whatever comes its away. But the resilient defence forces, specially the Pakistan Army, have come to brave this enemy – the flash floods of 2010 that have been devastating Pakistan since July. The relentless relief operation undertaken by Pakistan Army, assisted by the Navy and the Air Force, is simply commendable. At a time when the civil government’s efforts seem not more than peanuts, there stands one institution well organized and equipped to save the people of the flood hit areas. Hundreds and thousands of people have been evacuated by the efforts of the Pakistan Army and arrangements made for the lodging.

The large scale Pakistan Army relief operation is spread over from Swat in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south – in fact the complete stretch of Pakistan. While the post flood operation is continuing in upper Sind, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhua, the relief and rescue operation continues in lower Sind as flood water is now battering the area with its full might and momentum.

All ranks of Pakistan army, right from top to a soldier are engrossed in rescue relief operations round the clock. The Air Force is using its air fleet to transport tones of relief goods while the Navy is using its boats, hovercrafts and helicopters to rescue stranded and the marooned. Not only this, the men of Pakistan Army are sharing their own rations with the flood victims besides helping them a temporary abode in the countless number of tent villages erected by the army.

And the spirit of people of Pakistan is no lesser than that of September 1965, when they supported the armed forces with whatever they had. And not only this, they also helped the people of the war affected areas and treated them as their own. The same spirit is being seen today. Everyday hundreds of truckloads are sent by the NGOs and philanthropists to sustain the flood victims. Besides workers, volunteers and doctors have reached the far flung areas to provide every possible assistance to their brethren in distress.

The nation is united once again to beat back the floods and are determined to sacrifice their comfort for the relief of the flood victims. It is also heartening that the world community also responded handsomely by providing relief goods, helicopters, medical units and mobile hospitals, besides monetary assistance. Although a lot has been done, much more is still needed to be done. As we are asked to do more in our assistance in war on terror, the world community also needs to do more today for us.

I salute my soldiers and people for helping the flood victims, despite being engrossed in fighting the militants, and hope that the government would now take over to rehabilitate the flood victims back home through the aid received from the world community. The nation rightly expects, from the people it voted for during the last elections who are now sitting in the government and constituting the opposition, a very transparent use of the monetary assistance by ensuring no pilferage of the money and the stores so that every victim receives his right share for embarking upon a new life from the scratch. I hope the nation and the flood victims will not be disappointed by the government.
Related Reading: Aye Watan kay Sajeelay Jawano

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Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder at Farnborough Air Show 2010

The undoubted 'stars' of Farnborough 2010 were the Pakistan Air Force with the JF-17 Thunder (photo Andrew McKelvey)

It was for the first time that the green and white national flag of Pakistan with crescent and star flew at the Farnborough International Air Show 2010, England. The unfurling of the Pakistan’s flag marked Pakistan’s entry into the world’s most prestigious air show with two of its JF-17 Thunders. Although parked in one corner of the runway to make way for big giants and attractions like the Boeing 787, Airbus A380 and many other military and civil aircraft from leading aircraft manufactures, the pair of JF-17 Thunders still attracted a large number of visitors who came to see the “Mysterious aircraft from Asia (as some visitors remarked).” However as per reports available and for unknown reasons the aircraft did not fly during the show to show its full potential.

These light weight multirole, all-weather combat aircraft have been jointly designed and produced by the People’s Republic of China and Pakistan. The pair that appeared on the air show has been assembled in Pakistan at Pakistan aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra. The JF-17 Thunder distinguishes PAF as the only air force in the world that manufactures combat aircraft. About 50% of the on-board equipment and avionics for the fighter have been manufactured in Pakistan, while the rest of the assembly parts coming from China.

According to unconfirmed reports, Turkey and some countries from Middle East and Africa have shown their interest in these fighters.

Mike Green, editor Jetwash aviation Photo’s.com while commenting on the two JF-17s at the show remarked, “I have visited Farnborough air show this week and for anyone interested there are a few photos of the JF-17's on display there if you would like to take a look at my website. They are very nice to see in the UK; unfortunately the Chinese 'delegate' at the static display is not too co-operative in letting people look around them at close quarters. There were several pieces of weaponry on view with the two aircraft and it is a shame that they did not fly during the air show.”

Related Reading:

Farnborough International Air Show 2010

Pakistan Defence (Details of Chinese weaponry that equips JF-17 Thunder)

JF-17 flying home from Farnborough 2010 (Youtube video)

JF-17 Thunder-The first squadron enters Pakistan Air Force

Photo JF-17 Thunder courtesy: Jetwash Aviation photo’s.com

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PMA Revisited

This month on 17^th April 2010, a friend of my youngest son was having his passing out parade at the prestigious Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul (Abbottabad) and he requested me to make arrangements to witness the parade. So I asked an old staff officer of mine, Major Jamal, to arrange passes for us. And we were there on the morning of the 17^th April and joined a long snail paced convoy of cars on from Abbottabad to Kakul. The weather was cloudy and the sun was playing hide and seek with the dark black clouds. But when we reached the venue, the sun had succeeded in warding off the clouds and had taken its usual position to lit up each and every corner of the PMA’s drill square, which was decorated with buntings and colourful chairs corresponding to the colour of the enclosure.

Then the parade started marching in and it took me back to some three decades when I was also part of the marching columns and was part of the senior division getting commission. Seeing the parade from outside was very fascinating, but being a part of it was altogether different, specially for the ones getting commission in the Pakistan Army. The rituals and the sequence was the same and I could see myself among the Tariq Company contingent. When the sword of honour was presented, I recalled how Tariq Khan from our course marched smartly forward to receive it. The march off of the senior division from the drill square and slowing disappearing from the steps of the battalion mess was very touchy and I wished to trace back my steps, and that I did.

After the parade was over, we were asked to “cross” the drill square, and “climb up” the stairs to have refreshments inside the battalion mess. And that is when I stepped on the cemented drill square of PMA, exactly 33 years and one day over and it made me shiver both with awe, happiness and remembrance of some of the course mates, who were with us on that fateful day but are no more today. 

We had marched on the drill square hundreds of times together, had some sweet and bitter memories of the place. And then reached the steps rising up to the battalion mess. I tried to slow march a few steps as I did on my passing out date, and felt happy that whatever I desired and promised to my country, I had fulfilled with pride, honour and dignity.

A 'veteran' poses in front of Khalid Company - some 33 years after leaving this building

The battalion mess was over crowded with guests and cadets but for me it was the same place where we dined day and night during our two years stay at the academy. It was the same place where I earned my medal during my convocation and made my parents feel proud and happy. Outside the mess on the other side stood Khalid and Tariq Companies’ blocs where I spent a year each and finally passing out as part of the Tariq Seniors.

Someday in one’s life, one must revisit places where he has been brought up, lived and grown or places which form part of nostalgia. PMA was no doubt one of the days that brings back that nostalgia and I really felt happy to have come back here and followed the steps that I took so proudly decades ago.

Photos Above:

(Left to Right – Top Line) Empty Drill Square (after the parade), The Battalion Mess

(Left to Right – Bottom Line) Khalid Company Bloc (my first term company), my son Wahaab with his friend Omar

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JF-17 Thunder – the First Squadron Enters Pakistan Air Force

Pakistan have had a long history of being denied essentials for its armed forces whenever the time demanded. Even its once most trusted ally, the USA, for whom Pakistan joined the erstwhile CENTO and SEATO, gave a cold shoulder when Pakistan and India went to war in 1965 and 1971. Pakistan then turned to its only trusted ally, the Peoples Republic of China’ for joint production of a military aircraft.  In the 80s, a move to jointly develop and build a fighter aircraft, the Project Sabre II, and instead Pakistan was offered F-16s at a reduce d price ostensibly a bid to prevent Pakistan from collaborating with China and developing a military aircraft of its own.

Once again, even after induction of the F-16s, the US sanctions on Pakistan, the spares for the aircraft became a bane for Pakistan. Thus Pakistan once again revived the old projects with China to develop a modern fighter aircraft. Had the earlier project not been shelved, Pakistan would have by now well been on its way to indigenously producing its own aircraft. However, not wasting any more time, the JF-17 Thunder project went into way (details skipped here and can be read from the link given below).

The first prototype aircraft, PT-01, rolled out on 31 May 2003 followed by the maiden test flight in China the same year. Deliveries to the Pakistan Air Force for further flight testing and evaluation began in 2007. The same year on 23^rd March 2007, the JF-17 Thunder had its maiden demonstration flight in full public view in Islamabad. The Pakistan Air Force officially inducted its first JF-17 squadron on 18th February 2010. The aircraft has seven external hard points that can carry 8,000 pounds of ordnance. Internal armament comprises one 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel cannon mounted under the port side air intake, which can be replaced with a 30 mm GSh-30-2 twin-barrel cannon.

Most certainly, the induction of JF-17 in the PAF fleet is a long awaited milestone. Now the Pakistan Air Force can further develop and modify the aircraft to suit to its military needs and can have a sustained delivery of front line aircraft in years to come.

Detailed Information on JF-17 Thunder:

JF-17 Thunder (Wikipedia)

JF-17.com

Picture gallery JF-17 Thunder

JF-17 Thunder joins PAF’s fighter fleet

JF-17 Thunder: Pakistani Warrior in the Sky (YouTube Video)

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Aye Watan Kay Sajeelay Jawano (O’ Brave men of my Country)

I first listened to this great motivational national song during September 1965 when Pakistan and India went to war. This was sung by the late melody queen Noor Jahan and became an instant hit and reverberated through each street and corner during the 17 days long war and thereafter. Everyone sang along this song whenever it was aired on the radio, and so did I. This along with many other national songs was an immense source of motivation for the soldiers fighting on the borders and reflected the aspirations of the people of Pakistan as they stood united behind their men of steel.

Today, we are yet again faced with a war – a war that has enemy from within (though most certainly backed and supported from the forces outside our territorial borders). Once again our men of steel are fighting a war – a war much more bloodier and difficult as compared to the previous wars. A war in which it is very difficult to differentiate between a friend and a foe. All look alike – but the valiant soldiers fight on – shedding their blood to rid the menace of terror from the country so that people sleep in peace.

The war is also taking a toll of innocent people who die every day in bomb blasts that rip apart the silence of our cities and daily life. While I write, I listen to yet another blast in Peshawar, leaving 90 dead, mostly women and children.

I salute all these “Sajeelay Jawans, men, women and children” who die for no fault of theirs but that of others who we do not know. I only want to tell the departed ones that we would remain united till our last to fight out the militants – the hired assassins and mercenaries.

Once again today, I sing the song aloud - Aye Watan Kay Sajeelay Jawano – and am sure everyone would join me.
pakistan 

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