Pakistan Air Force inducts first JF-17 combat jet squadron

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Thursday formally inducted its first squadron of the JF-17 Thunder combat jet that has been jointly developed with China, saying it was in line with its resolve to face all challenges with poise and self-confidence.

The formal induction of JF-17 aircraft is in line with our resolve to face all challenges with poise and self-confidence, the PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman said while speaking at the induction ceremony at an operational base.

We are a peaceful nation with no aggressive designs and want to maintain peace with honour in our region, Online news agency quoted him as saying.

According to Suleman, the PAF was inducting new systems to keep pace with technology and maintain credible conventional balance of force, without which peace cannot be ensured in South Asia.

In this context, he noted that the PAF had invested in powerful force multipliers like aerial tankers, unmanned aerial vehicles and airborne early warning and control aircraft to enhance our capacity and capability to undertake complex operations.

These new state-of-the-art inductions make it imperative that we train hard and prepare well to induct and integrate the new systems professionally and safely, he added.

The JF-17 was developed jointly by Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). It is a small, lightweight fighter powered by a single engine. It has been developed to meet the requirements of the PAF and for export to other developing nations.