CHENGDU (China), May 10: The fourth prototype of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, jointly manufactured by Pakistan and China, completed its maiden test flight here on Wednesday, proving its credibility to meet the needs of both the countries.

Flights of the earlier prototypes focused on operational flight capabilities, the fourth prototype’s trial flight was aimed at testing the aircraft’s weapons systems.

The aircraft’s flight lasted 11 minutes and the jet attained a speed of 500 kilometres per hour at an altitude of 1,500 metres.

The jet took off from the People’s Liberation Air Force base in Chengdu with the pilot reporting a “perfect” performance.

Chief of Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said the joint programme’s success would usher in a new era of strategic partnership between the two countries.—APP