Kamra: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said the JF-17 Thunder aircraft programme would prove as a flagship of Pak-China friendship.
Addressing Pakistani and Chinese technicians during his visit to the JF-17 production facility at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Gilani lauded the pace of JF-17 Thunder programme which had moved into a serial production stage in a record time.
He also acknowledged the role of Chinese experts for imparting technical know-how to the Pakistani technicians for the transfer of technology.
“The support provided by our Chinese friends in this, and in so many other common projects between Pakistan and China is greatly cherished by every Pakistani,” he said.
Gilani went around different sections of the facility and expressed satisfaction that the project milestones were being accomplished in an efficient and timely manner.
He said Pakistan Airforce with an initiative like JF-17 program was not only rendering valuable services for strengthening the national defence but also providing a valuable opportunity to the youth.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Salman said with the support of the government, twenty two JF-17 aircraft had been inducted into the 26th squadron of the PAF, while eight others were in various stages of tests and trials.
He said the aircraft, whose production began on June 13, 2009 and the first made-in-Pakistan rolled out on Nov 23, 2009, has successfully made its presence felt at the air shows at Farnborough, UK and Zhuhai, China. He said the aircraft also participated in the Highmark and the Azm-e-nau exercises.
He said a number of air forces around the world were eyeing the new entrant into the arena with keen interest.
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