A spectacular ceremony to hand over JF-17 Thunder aircraft to Squadron-II of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was Monday held in Karachi.
Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who was chief guest at the ceremony, formally handed over the command flag of JF-17 planes to second squadron of PAF. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman also present in the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, CAS Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said that JF-17 is greatest addition to the technical strength of PAF. He said Pakistan Air Force is well prepared to fight any threat against the state, while adding that PAF has been assisting the ground troops in operation Zarb-e-Azb as well.
He also paid rich tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan Air Force, saying that PAF’s greatness is linkted with the matchless sacrifices of its personnel.
Prior to formal ceremony, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif inspected the second squadron of PAF. Afterwards, a flypast of JF-17 Thunder aircraft was also held.
The newly inducted JF-17 Thunder aircraft will now replace Pakistan Air Force’s F-7 fighter jets, which are due to expire this year.
The JF-17 Thunders have been co-developed by Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF), and is considered cost-effective and its potential is unrivaled among fighter jets at the same level.
China and Pakistan signed a deal to develop the fighter in 1998. The first batch of JF-17 Thunders was delivered to Pakistan in 2007.
