Image source: topwar.ru
The JF-17 Thunder, a Sino-Pakistani single-engine multirole combat aircraft, is attracting more and more attention from countries outside the "Western world" due to its low cost. In this regard, the British edition of Forces News is sounding the alarm.:
After the development of the JF-17C (Block III) modification, the fighter reached a high technological level. This upgrade is the most radical upgrade in the history of the project.
The JF-17C received the Chinese KLJ-7A AFAR radar with a target detection range of about 170 km with an EPR of 5 m2 (fighter type), and up to about 100-110 km with an EPR of 1 m2 (inconspicuous). Large aircraft (bombers, tankers) can be detected at a distance of up to 200-220 km. The new radar allows tracking up to 15 targets simultaneously and aiming missiles at 4 of them at once. AFAR is much more difficult to "blind" with electronic warfare.
Thanks to the new radar, the aircraft was able to use the PL-15E long-range air defense systems (they have a range of 145-150 km and are considered analogous to the American AIM-120D or Russian R-77-1), which makes it a dangerous opponent even for heavy fighters.
URVV PL-15E:
Image source: topwar.ru
A new generation wide-angle collimator indicator (HUD) is installed in the cockpit and helmet-mounted target designation systems (HMD) are integrated, similar to those on the Chinese J-20.
The JF-17 traditionally uses the Russian RD-93 engine (or its deep modernization RD-93MA). But in the "C" modification, the Chinese WS-13 powerplant was actively tested, which, according to the developer, is "more powerful and has a longer resource." The RD-93MA remained the main engine, but an alternative appeared to it.
Besides Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Myanmar and Nigeria are already operators of the JF-17. The Libyan National Army, led by Khalifa Haftar, also placed an order at the end of December 2025. Iraq, Morocco, and some Latin American countries are showing interest. According to British observers, the creation of a more advanced version of the JF-17C and the low cost of the aircraft are confidently stimulating demand in the global market.:
