The PAF has committed to the acquisition of 150 JF-17, whilst China is expected to buy 250. Pakistan will initially produce 50% of the aircraft locally, progressively increasing to 100%.

PAF plans to make the first JF-17 squadron officially operational in early 2010.

Dimensions: length 14.97 m (49 ft 1 1/2 in); height 4.77 m (15 ft 8 in); wing span 9.46 m (31 ft 1/2 in)

Weights: empty 6,411 kg (14,136 lb); Normal Take-Off Weight 9,072 kg (20,000 lb); Max Take-Off Weight 12,474 kg (27,500 lb)

Performance: max level speed ‘clean’ at altitude Mach 1.6 or 1,909 km/h (1,186 mph); service ceiling 15,240 m (50,000 ft); ferry range 2,037 km (1,266 miles); operational radius 1,352 km (840 miles).

Armament: JF-17 can be armed with up to 3,629 kg (8,000 lb) of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance, as well as other equipment, mounted externally on the aircraft’s seven hardpoints (part of an airframe designed to carry an external load).

Among potential customers of this Pakistani fighter plane are Azerbaijani Air Force, who has negotiated with Pakistan for the purchase of 26 JF-17, worth between 16 and 18 million dollars each. Besides that,  the Sudanese Air Force is also negotiating for 12 aircrafts.The Zimbabwe Air Force reportedly ordered 12 JF-17 in 2004. Several other countries including Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran and Nigeria, and Malaysia have been identified as potential buyers.

Courtesy: Pakistan Aeronautical Complex