The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has begun incorporating the latest iteration of the JF-17 ‘Thunder’ fighter jet, jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), into its operational fleet.
In mid-November, the PAF announced that the new Block III variant offers several advancements over its predecessor, the Block II, including “superior maneuverability, extended range, and enhanced combat capabilities.”
Additional improvements include a reduced radar cross-section, attributed to increased use of composite materials, and enhanced avionics. Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported in September that the aircraft has also been equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
This radar system is believed to be the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET) KLJ-7A X-band airborne 3D fire-control radar (FCR), an upgrade from the KLJ-7 V2 employed in the Block II variant.
According to the US Department of Defense (DoD), the KLJ-7 V2 radar can detect an aircraft with a radar cross-section of 3 m² at a range of 150 km. CCTV claimed that the KLJ-7A radar boasts improved multitargeting capability, enhanced resilience to jamming, and greater range, corroborating a previous NRIET statement indicating a maximum range of 170 km for the KLJ-7A. However, the NRIET statement likely refers to a target aircraft with a radar cross-section of 5 m².
An initial JF-17 Block III aircraft (serial no 22-305) was spotted during the Pakistan Day military parade over Islamabad on 23 March, but it lacked squadron insignia.
December 1, 2023
Source: Janes