KAMRA, Dec 28 (APP): Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) on Monday achieved another milestone in the country’s aviation history by indigenously manufacturing 16 fighter jets (JF-17 Thunder) during 2015.
Ceremony to highlight the hallmark achievement of PAC was clubbed with the formal induction of newly manufactured 16th JF-17 Thunder in the fleet of Pakistan Air Force.
Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain was the chief guest of the ceremony which was attended by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman NI (M, chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
“I will appreciate the vital role played by our time-tested Chinese friends for the success of JF-17 program. Their support at PAC Kamra and in so many other projects is cherished and highly valued by every Pakistani,” Rana Tanveer said.
The minister for Defence Production reaffirmed the commitment of the government to promote self-reliance in defence production and thanked the government of China for unrelenting support.
Chief of Air Staff expressed satisfaction with progress of JF-17 program.
He praised the professional competence and commitment is played by PAC personnel in meeting the milestones of JF-17 program and urged them to continue their best efforts in pursuit of excellence.
Alongside, the PAC had also announced to achieve the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) technology for the JF-17 Thunder and returned the possession of the first ever JF-17 aircraft to PAF after carrying out necessary MRO of Thunder.
Later, talking to media persons Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said PAF had achieved the set goals for the preparedness and would replace its ageing fleet with the modern JF-17s.
“The replacement program would continue till 2020,” he said.
Answering a question he said negotiations were in hand for the sale of country’s sophisticated multi-role combat aircraft with friendly nations around the globe.
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra was an organization which virtually takes care of maintenance of all operational assets of PAF for the purpose of effective control and efficient working.
PAC had started production of JF-17 Thunder aircraft back in 2009 and since then it has been producing the fighting machines for their subsequent induction in the PAF inventory.