LAHORE: Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood commissioned two JF-17 Thunders into the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in a ceremony at Kamra on Monday.
These two Thunders had arrived at Kamra on March 2. They were moved to Pakistan in a cargo plane as against usual procedure of flying home. These two aircrafts were assembled at Kamra.
It was learnt the aircrafts were suppose to rumble the skies of Pakistan on Monday. However, the weather conditions were not conducive for the flight. These aircrafts will now fly on the first clear day. Before their first public flight on March 23, these aircrafts will keep flying for evaluation and test purposes. These aircrafts will stay at Kamra for the same purpose.
The PAF anticipates acquiring around 10-12 aircrafts by the end of this year. These aircrafts will arrive in intervals. The next batch of two aircrafts is expected within three months. After the arrival, these aircrafts will be put at the disposal of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra (PAC) for tests, trial and probable upgradation and changes to meet the requirements of the PAF. Moreover, these aircrafts will be worked on by the PAC vis-à-vis specifications for diverse use, that is, for maritime operations, for air-to-air missions and for air-to-land missions.
