The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) & Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) JF-17 Thunder Block III fighters are making their debut appearance at an international defense exhibition, the Dubai Air Show 2023.
The Pakistan Air Force has released a promotional video of the JF-17 landing at Dubai, mixed with several shots from inside and outside the cockpit of performing acrobatic maneuvers. A Super Mushshak trainer aircraft is also another Pakistani exhibit.
India’s LCA Tejas will also compete for media and commercial interest as both aircraft aim to foray into the global single-engine light fighter space. Being held from November 13 to 17 at the Dubai World Central, the airshow is considered one of the world’s premier military aviation events, providing a platform for a diverse range of commercial, business, and military aircraft.
CAC will also display its J-10C, inducted by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) last year and considered one of the leading medium-weight single-engine jets. It is roughly in line with the F-16 Block 70/72 and the Swedish Saab Gripen E. Interestingly, the PAF acquired the J-10C to maintain parity with the Dassault Rafale that the IAF inducted – a twin-engine aircraft.
The video by the PAF shows its C-130J Hercules landing at Dubai, followed by two Thunders and their pilots exiting their aircraft. Clips of the J-17 shooting up near vertically after take-off, performing rolls, inverted flight, and landing are shown.
