Pakistan displays fighter aircraft at Dubai air show

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Pakistan demonstrated its ability to protect its skies at the Dubai air show where it displayed fighter aircraft, including one that has been jointly developed and produced by China.

The Pakistan Air Force is participating in the Dubai Air Show-2011, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister of UAE, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Rashid Al-Makhtum, Sunday.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, chief of air staff Pakistan Air Force, attended the inaugural ceremony.

The JF-17 (Thunder), K-8 and Super Mashak aircraft are on display.

The JF-17 (Thunder) jointly co-developed and co-produced by Pakistan and China has been put up for static as well as aerial display in the air show, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

The aircraft made its debut at Farnborough Air Show in 2010, when two JF-17s flew all the way from Pakistan to Farnborough, Britain. Four months later in November 2010, three JF-17s flew over to China to participate in Zhuhai Air Show, where the aircraft made its first ever aerobatics display.

It is described as a cost-effective, highly potent, multi-role combat aircraft, which is capable of meeting the challenges of present and future air power employment.

The aircraft is equipped with a digital fly-by-wire flight control system that gives it the agility in all regimes of the operational flight envelope. It has a complete glass cockpit, excellent man-machine interface and modern self-protection suite, which enhance combat potential and survivability of the aircraft.

The JF-17 is equipped with fourth generation avionics systems, wide range of conventional and smart weapons, long range glide bombs, Beyond Visual Range and short range air-to-air missiles, anti-ship missile and air-to-surface missiles.

The aircraft requires a short length of runway for take-off and landing.

The aircraft will soon have air-to-air refuelling capability, which will further enhance its combat potential and employment options.

Two squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force two squadrons have been equipped with JF-17s, while the third is planned to be raised by beginning next year.