ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jet JF-17 Thunder took to the skies for practice drills ahead of the week long 53rd Paris Air Show which begins on 17 June at the Le Bourget Airport, Paris, the PAF said in a statement.
The JF-17 Thunder is a joint project of Pakistan and China and began over a decade ago. The final assembly of the $40 million aircraft takes place at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in the country’s north-east with the engine, radar and some critical sub systems supplied by China.
On Friday, the Pakistan contingent comprising three JF-17 jets along with air and ground crew touched down in Paris, and the demo team began practice sessions for a series of aerobatic drills for their aerial display show which is considered one of the fair’s most anticipated attractions.
According to the PAF statement, one jet will be performing a flying display on all show days, while the other will be on static display showcasing its weaponry.
The first four days of the show are reserved for trade visitors, with the following three days open to the general public. After international sales success in Myanmar and Nigeria recently, the Pakistani-Chinese JF-17 fighter jet is now seeking new markets.
In February this year, the JF-17 Thunder received international attention after it shot down an Indian Air Force IAF MiG-21 during a military engagement.
Pakistani Fighter Jet JF-17 takes to Parisian skies seeking new markets
Pakistani Fighter Jet JF-17 takes to Parisian skies seeking new markets
- Three $40 million Pakistan-Chinese JF-17 thunder aircrafts are participating in the show
- The Paris air show is the largest air show for the aerospace and defense industry
