The Not an F-16 Fighter

For developing countries, the best fighter at their disposal is the one they can afford. Lacking the vast coffers and the industrial capabilities of countries like the United States, many nations must buy older American technology to meet their defense needs.

Still, history has shown that it is often cheap, mass-produced warplanes that can make the difference in a nation’s darkest hour. And that is precisely what Pakistan Aeronautical Complex hopes to achieve with its new JF-17 Thunder project.

The novel jet fighter, designed by China and Pakistan, aims to replace the American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon, freeing Pakistan and other developing countries from relying on US technology.

The defiant move by Pakistan and China seeks to show the world that they can continue to bolster their armed forces even under US sanctions and restrictions and without American equipment.

Naming the project JF-17, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is boldly claiming that the new jet is a capable and affordable successor to the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Although the Thunder pales in comparison to the newest American 5th generation fighters, the creation of the Chinese-Pakistani warplane signals a new age in which even developing countries can challenge the political landscape of the world…

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[JRGProjects]

Honestly, you got to admire Pakistan and their tenacity and boldness very few countries display. Also they have style, the JF-17 Thunder is a gorgeous fighter. Props for going your own way. You could teach NATO a thing or two instead of mooching off of the US constantly.

[corvoattano]

Most of the air to surface weapons used by the jf17 such as guided bombs, anti runway bombs, air to surface cruise missile etc are also made in Pakistan.

[casusbelli]

Small Correction: The JF-17 program will not "replace" the F-16s in Pakistani service. Its been designed to replace almost 250x obsolete warplanes in PAF Inventory namely the A-5 Fantan, F-7/P/PG and Mirage-III aircraft. The Block-III JF-17C is equipped with AESA radar and 4.5 gen technology, designed to complement Pakistan's more advanced fighters like F-16s and J-10C.

Moreover, Pakistan Aeronautical Industry has gained invaluable experience and know how during the development of JF-17 program and those learnings are now being incorporated into the next generation fighter aircraft (NGFA) program to develop 5th generation technologies and systems in Pakistan. @darkskies

[calvinallan]

Building a fighter jet program alone from scratch(including native engines) is gotta be one of biggest achievements a country can accomplish...

[therealmp]

The funny thing is that because of the aggressive marketing of the JF-17 as an export fighter, the US has reconsidered the sale of F-16s to countries that were ineligible before, to avoid countries turning towards the eastern sphere of influence.
Still, for non NATO countries, having access to a jet that they don't have to worry about being blocked access to weaponry and spare parts in case of an arms embargo is very useful. A JF-17 will always be fully operational, an F-16 is subject to the whims of US policies.

[lincan]

Capabilities aside, building a successful fighter jet program is a huge achievement, its required massive monetary investment and political commitment, seeing my country fruitless investment on the KF-21 jet programs with the Korean that most definitely gonna flops and become our biggest embarrassment just show how difficult it is to actually run this kind of projects, huge respect for Pakistan

[tonyunderwood]

Whatever it's "expected" to replace, it all boils down to if the JF17 able to do what it's expected to do. It doesn't need to be the best, it only needs to be better than what it goes up against... it only has to be good enough.

I once heard an aviation commentator describe the 50 year old F-15 Eagle's ongoing presence in today's world: "It's not the fastest fighter but it's fast enough. It's not the most agile but it's agile enough. It's not the most heavily armed, but it's armament is good enough. It's RADAR isn't sci-fi advanced, but it's advanced enough. In order for it to do its specific tasks, the F-15 is Good Enough."

[shariqhasan]

JF17 was not a meant to replace the F16 instead it is intended to replace the aging F7 and Mirage jets in PAF's fleet. I think last year they even replaced an entire squadron of Mirages with the JF17. Though Pakistan had also recently acquired J10-Cs from China and I think these will replace the F-16.

[raoumar]

very important point to be noted is that very first step is always hard, Pakistan has taken that. Pakistan has started manufacturing "A fighter jet" will will ultimately go on and continuous R&D will help to meet the latest needs and challenges. atleast now we have something of our own from where we can continue to improve.

[BengalLancer]

I'm not sure where did you get the idea that Pakistan was replacing F-16 with JF 17... JF-17 was designed to replace F-7 and A-5 and older variants of mirages...

[Shahzada]

Thunder was designed with Block Development in mind.
First Blocks like F16 we're that great but kept on development.
Similarly, Block 3 has AESA, PL 12, PL 15 missiles, modern suites, HUD & new systems
The biggest feature is plug n play. You can get European systems or Chinese systems depending on the customers' relations with EU, from italy ( Leonardo )

[usermk]

The latest block III (2021) with AESA radar and LRAAM & HOBS missiles can easily replace earlier block F-16s (block 10 to 25) in Airforces around the world. The earlier blocks of JF-17 (block 1 & 2) can easily replace Mirages (III, V, early 2000s), Mig-29s, Mig-21s/ F-7s, F-5s etc.

[ftc]

The thing is, what's replacing the F-16 (and the F/A-18 in similar roles) is the F-35. So, the capability gap is widening between those who can and can't.

[thesovietvorona]

As much as I loved the F-20 this may be the closest I’ll ever see to it coming to fruition until I can make mine. So even as an American I’ll support it as it gets updates and improves over time.

[JCMills]

It's amazing how much in appearance it's like the F-5 and F-20.

[cagatay]

Pakistan is the first Muslim country both developing nuclear power and a fighter jet. Selam from brother Turkey 🇹🇷❤️🇵🇰.
in my opinion Jf-17is a serious fighter to be thought in the first place if Turkish air force buy plane . Especially block 3 is real deal.

[Ghazanfierce]

JF-17 has an Iranian UAV in its Kill list
Also Thunder was also used to bomb military installations in indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir after indian jets violated the international border of Pakistan a day before during which they dropped the payload in the forest & ran back when engaged by the Pakistani fighter jets...

[sabresecuritydefenseconsul]

there are some technical aspects of JF-17C (BlkIII) that it beats Block 52 hands down: JF-17C has true first see and-shot capability and most of its weapon platforms are Stand of Weapons (SOW) means long-range e.g: PL-15, PL-10, PD-10, CM-102, CM-400, Ra'ad, CM-802, while F-16 block 52 only has AIM-120 MRAAM some of the countries have Harpoon Anti-ship that's about it.

[Savagepublic]

You can’t expect Pakistan to take first step in manufacturing jets and produce 6th gen fighter in limited resources. Still managed to export it to 3 countries, feeling insecure America again started sales of F-16 (Viper) to fill that gap.

JF-17 Block 3 > F-16 Block 52

It was meant to replace F-7PGs, Mirage 3, Mirage 5.
Only 5th gen fighter will replace F-16s in PAF.

[jawadkazmi]

A very capable aircraft. PAC and CAC set themselves very realistic goals, a block approach to the development, the latest BLK III taking it to 4.5 gen capabilities.
Very cost effective solution to modern day defence needs.