Pakistan upgrading JF-17 THUNDER TO JF-17 PFX with PL-17 modern missiles range of 400km

(DEFENCE AFFAIRS) — Pakistan upgraded JF-17 PFX (Pakistan Experimental Complex) fighter variant will ensure it is capable of dealing with challenges and threats from the fighter aircraft of its "traditional enemy", namely India, while further boosting its defense industry and preventing it from continuing to depend on foreign countries.

The model of the 4.5th generation fighter jet, which depicts Pakistan's future air power, was displayed during the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 in Karachi, which ended on November 22 last year.

The new generation fighter aircraft, the JF-17 PFX, will ensure that the Pakistan Air Force has fighter aircraft that are not only capable of competing with but have the potential to surpass the capabilities of fighter aircraft owned by other countries in the region, such as the Tejas Mk11, Rafale and Su-30MKI owned by its closest neighbor and traditional enemy, India.

Pakistan's new generation fighter aircraft, the JF-17 PFX will ensure that Pakistan deals with India in terms of air power in the region.

The development program for the experimental JF-17 PFX fighter aircraft is part of Pakistan's ongoing efforts to modernize its air force to reduce its dependence on foreign countries and ensure that its defense industry is more independent.

Pakistan Air Force officials said that development of the JF-17 PFX aircraft is expected to be completed before the end of this decade.

Senior Pakistani government officials have said that the JF-17 PFX will be equipped with more advanced long-range air-to-air missiles (AAMs) than the previous version of the latest variant of the JF-17 "Thunder" fighter jet.

Apart from that, Pakistan also plans to produce this aircraft's radar system locally.

Among the long-range AAMs that Pakistan is expected to acquire for the JF-17 PFX include the latest variant of the Chinese-made PL-17 missile which is capable of striking targets as far as 400km.

The PL-17 air-to-air missile is an upgraded variant of the PL-15.

Over the past few years, China has been developing the PL-17 BVR air-to-air missile (also known as PL-XX or “Project 180”), with a range of between 300 km and 400 km.

The PL-17 BVR air-to-air missile is an upgrade over the PL-15 and it is bad news for India as China has begun testing to integrate the PL-17 missile with its J-10C fighter jets.

If Pakistan wants to have the PL-17, it will likely need to upgrade the AESA radar on its J-10C fighter aircraft because to equip its fighter aircraft with the PL-17 it will need a radar that is much more powerful than the AESA radar it currently has.

The PL-17 missile is specifically designed to give fifth-generation fighter aircraft such as the J-20 "Mighty Dragon" a "first look, first shot, first kill" capability against enemy aircraft operating beyond visual range (BVR).

With an estimated firing range of between 300 to 400 kilometers, the PL-17 missile has the potential to double the range of equivalent Western missiles such as the AIM-120D AMRAAM or MBDA Meteor.

At this point, the firing range of AMRAAM and Meteor air-to-air missiles is within 200 km.

At this point, the PL-17 air-to-air missile is already in limited use by China's fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the J-20 "Mighty Dragon" and may soon also be used by the Chinese Air Force's J-10C fighter aircraft.

The Chinese-made BVR PL-17 air-to-air missile is equipped with an Inertial Navigation System (INS), GPS/Beidou, and AESA radar active terminal guidance system as well as a data-link transmitter for intermediate guidance from the launch platform.

The PAF stated that the Block III aircraft offered improved capabilities compared to the Block II version.

Recently, Defense Security Asia reported that the production of JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft by Pakistan has already exceeded 20 units and is approaching 30 units of JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft ordered by Pakistan for its air force.

The JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft is the latest variant of the JF-17 fighter aircraft, which made its maiden flight in 2019 and entered serial production in 2022.  

The most important improvement of the latest variant of the JF-17 Block III is that it is now equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) KLJ-7A radar, Helmet Mounted Display and Sight (HMD/S) and an integrated Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) system.

As for its weapons system, the latest variant of the JF-17 Block III is capable of launching the PL-15E long-range air-to-air missile, which is claimed to be able to strike targets more than 200km away.

Apart from that, it is also capable of launching the PL-10E High-Off Boresight air-to-air missile which can be guided using only the Helmet Mounted Display and Sight (HMD/S) during air combat within visual range.

There are also reports stating that the latest variant of the JF-17 Block III fighter jet is now capable of launching the "Taimur" air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) which can be used against static and moving targets including warships with a range of 280km.

The latest variant of the JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft is reported to have similarities to the Chinese-made fighter aircraft, the JF-10C, which is also used by the Pakistan Air Force.

The JF-17 Block III fighter jet is also reported to have the DNA of China's fifth generation fighter jet, the J-20 "Mighty Dragon". 

The JF-17 PFX (Pakistan Fighter Experimental) program is not just a technical upgrade to Pakistan's fighter aircraft, but is also a strategic statement that will have a major impact on the geopolitical landscape in South Asia and the wider region.

As a step towards domestic production of a new generation of fighter jets, the program strengthens Pakistan's efforts to achieve military self-reliance and reduce dependence on China and other foreign suppliers, a move that could change the balance of military power in the region.

With the increased capabilities of the JF-17 aircraft through the PFX version — including the integration of AESA radar, digital avionics, advanced electronic warfare systems and long-range missile capacity — Pakistan is able to counter strategic pressure from India, which is now bolstering its air force with French-made Rafale aircraft and highly advanced BrahMos missiles.

This development also marks a shift in the power of the defense industry from the monopoly of large countries such as the United States, Russia, and China towards developing countries such as Pakistan which are beginning to demonstrate the ability to design, develop, and produce fighter jets independently.

The JF-17 PFX program also sends a clear signal to strategic partners and competitors that Pakistan is ready to upgrade its military doctrine , including long-range strike capabilities, electronic warfare, and a possible role as a nuclear platform in a "second-strike" doctrine.

From a regional relations perspective, this upgrade has the potential to strengthen Pakistan's defense alliances with Islamic and Central Asian countries , including possible future exports to countries such as Myanmar, Azerbaijan, Iraq or even Egypt, which are looking at cheaper alternatives to Western aircraft.

At the same time, the advancement of the PFX could trigger a regional air arms race , particularly if India responds by increasing the number of Rafales or accelerating the development of the HAL AMCA fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

The presence of PFX aircraft in advanced configurations also opens up space for a reorganization of air operations strategies , including the ability to operate from remote bases, stealth operations, and integration with modern warfare networks based on artificial intelligence.

Overall, the JF-17 PFX is not just an aircraft upgrade project, but a catalyst for geopolitical change that could influence military decisions, foreign policy, and the balance of power between Pakistan and its neighbors, while increasing Pakistan's attractiveness as a major player in the new and increasingly diverse global defense market.