Pakistan formally inducts JF-17 Thunder in PAF combat school
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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Monday formally inducted JF-17 Thunder fighter jets into its combat school.
In a special ceremony held at the Combat Commanders’ School at PAF Base Mushaf, the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets — often called the ‘Pride of Pakistan’ by military men — were formally inducted in the country’s defence force.
The jets carried out a display that was met with applause by a jubilant crowd that had gathered for the ceremony. The pilots were later greeted by children who presented them bouquets of flowers. Air Marshal Sohail Aman, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) who was the Chief Guest at the occasion also met the air and ground crew.
The induction of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets had begun in 2007 and has been continuing since then. The PAF currently has two JF-17 Squadrons that are actively engaged in different operations. The inclusion of the aircraft is being termed a major milestone towards self reliance and enhancement of operational capability.
The JF-17 Thunder — an indigenous war fighting machine co-developed by Pakistan and China — is a light weight, all weather multi-role fighter jet. It is equipped with a modern state-of-the-art avionics suite and an advanced cockpit layout. The fighter jet has the capability to carry out air-to-air and air-to-ground strikes, and can be fitted with beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles.
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| A Pakistan army soldier stands guard near a combat aircraft, jointly developed by China and Pakistan - AP/File |
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| Visitors walk past a model of a JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft during the International Defence Exhibition - AFP/File |
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Comments (85) Closed
Jan 26, 2015 07:37pm
Excellent NEWS- Pak force is the best !!
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Jan 26, 2015 07:40pm
Apparently the Pride of Pakistan JF17 was designed in China and then equipped with the Russian EngineRD 93 , Martin Baker American ejection seat, Italian radar, American sidewinder missiles and European Avionics. Then we assembled everything and sang in a single voice Proud to be a Pakistani.
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Jan 26, 2015 07:51pm
Made in china: )
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Jan 26, 2015 08:00pm
Pakistan should not use F16s, they're old and the US can sanction us anytime like in the 90s. Self reliance is key.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:04pm
A formidable platform which will soon make the backbone of the PAF. Pakistan Zindabad.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:12pm
Excellent, PAF! Keep it up.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:14pm
I proud to be a Pakistani, and I appreciate PAF efforts.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:15pm
MASHALLAH Say
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Jan 26, 2015 08:33pm
Wise decision. It was indeed needed at CCS to make the most of it.
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Jan 26, 2015 08:47pm
Congratulations
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Jan 26, 2015 09:09pm
@Malik Saab Green paint is pakistani.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:10pm
How come China hasn't inducted this into their airforce? Is it not battleworthy?
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Jan 26, 2015 09:11pm
Good job by PAF beside limited resources and technical support from Western countries. We need to modernise Airforce and Navy with rapid acquisition program by Indians. J10B and J11 are good options for PAF. Also second hand Mirages from UAE will add value. Plus a long range air defence system like S-300/ HQ-9 is highly desired.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:11pm
May Allah Bless Pakistan, It's people and it's forces and protect from evil eyes (especially eastern ones).
This is a step in right direction.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:14pm
@Malik Saab : you certainly do not understand the word " self- reliance". Cars made in America have Japanese engines and still labelled as Made in America.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:17pm
@Malik Saab detractors!
Anways Alhamdullilah! May Allah bless us more and in every field
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Jan 26, 2015 09:20pm
@Malik Saab nothing to be ashamed off ,that's how other Nations started and that how one learns.I wish we do the same with other things like Railway engines ,railway carriages and lots of other things rather than letting other countries to assemble these for us ,in this way we keep some of our money and also provide jobs for our People.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:22pm
Tiny steps towards indigenous production of fighter jets in the future.
Great job. Would spur a lot of domestic demand as well.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:26pm
@Sheryar Khan well as long as its a good jet n serves the purpose question of china inducting or not isnt relevant. Other nationa can have all the hi standards dey want , we have to work within our means.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:28pm
Congratulations great work! Please read an interview in China Daily where the chief designer of the FC-1, so called JF-17 (JF stands for Joint Fighter) Xiaolong, Yang Wei, said: "The aircraft cannot compete with other aircraft on the market". Even not used by Chinese AirForce
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Jan 26, 2015 09:36pm
Congratulations Pak Forces. You are the best in the world . we are very proud of you.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:38pm
Very good. Congratulations to Pakistan. We need to make our defences more stronger and this is a step in the right direction of strength and self-reliance.
Long live Pakistan.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:43pm
i always think that Pak should more relay on the indigenous technology rather than borrowing from other countries. good work, keep it up
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Jan 26, 2015 09:47pm
@Malik Saab;
Fifth column.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:48pm
How many polio cases are already discovered this year?
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Jan 26, 2015 09:50pm
@Sheryar Khan;
"China hasn't inducted this into their airforce? Is it not battleworthy?"
Depends on who you are battling.
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Jan 26, 2015 09:55pm
The nations who do not spend on their people, can never defend themselves by weapons and forces. Pakistan is on Russian path i.e. heaps of weapons but nothing to eat
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Jan 26, 2015 09:57pm
@Malik Saab Seems you are unhappy with JF-17, want Pakistan to build its own technology, all made in Pakistan, which will make you proud.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:03pm
That is brilliant work by PAF to induct JF-17 in their squad. And best thing is that they are home made that is why they are economical and best.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:11pm
Indigenous aircraft sounds great but are often cost prohibitive - that's why all the major defense contractors are forced to enter the intense international market. In Pakistan's case it will find that there isn't a great demand for the J17's and what demand there is will likely go to China which is Pakistan's competitor. If Pakistan can't develop international demand the mfg plants will run at significant loss - might even exceed the cost of American stealth fighter jets.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:12pm
How much does each cost and hope the our corrupt politicians are keeping spare fuel for these jets. But on a serious note these planes are not in use by China so was this the only choice or the best choice?
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Jan 26, 2015 10:17pm
great news, but why has it not joined the school as PAF has been raising squadrons for a number of years?
I guess its about utilizing the best aspects of the aircraft tactically, in the right situation.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:18pm
Truly Congratulate Pakistan - very nice paint job on the JF-17 and the bomb units!
The "green" in the JF-17 has a nice matte finish - not cheap and shiny like some metal enamel paint.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:20pm
@Sheryar Khan Pakistan Air Force has time and again proven itself outstanding in its capabilities, strategy & planning, so there is no need to worry about PAF's battle worthiness. China's Air Defense requirements and Pakistan's are not the same.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:25pm
@Malik Saab
Well It is a thing to be proud of, we gathered all that junk and made something useful out of it.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:43pm
@Sheryar Khan
Well, China faces challenges against USN and JASDF in South China Sea, and they've better jets in J-10, J-11, J-15, J-16, and working on the stealth J-20. They don't really need JF-17.
JF-17 fulfills PAF doctrine.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:43pm
Good work. Collaborative design with China is best for Pakistan.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:55pm
This is a fantastic aircraft which suits or need.
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Jan 26, 2015 10:56pm
@shamain China has more options than us; simple as that. It is good for us.
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Jan 26, 2015 11:24pm
PAF - Zindabad
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Jan 26, 2015 11:24pm
Congrats from india .....
We can't mach you as we have local plane like mig 29 , tejas , dhuruv , Hercules , Rafael ( deal is under process ) etc and cryogenic engine ...
And we are also in agreement with Russia and USA for fifth generation aircraft ( with transfer technology ) .
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Jan 26, 2015 11:28pm
Something is better than nothing . India has always developed fighter jet plane tejas but it's engine can't be developed by india. India is still working in engine part so any country can't make any fighter plane in single night . So every country want to some time for improve or developed such technology . It is not like as ghazal who take very small time to complete.
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Jan 26, 2015 11:50pm
Congratulations to the entire nation. Despite all the challenges from within and across the borders we are able to produce such machines. PAF truly deserves credit for this.
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Jan 27, 2015 12:00am
This is good news for all Pakistanis. The JF-17 is not a heavy-duty fighter, but has twin roles as a trainer and light combat aircraft. On a head-to-head comparison, it is outperformed by India's Su-30MKI, but the two aircraft belong in different categories. The best comparison for JF-17 is the Tejas fighter, which as a similar light combat aircraft role. While the JF-17 can make a fully-loaded round-trip to Delhi from its base in Kamra, it cannot out-fly the Su-30MKI. Also, the JF-17 has a max ceiling of 17km - this is unfortunately within the range of India's Akash surface-to-air missile, which has a range (and ceiling) of 30km. It is unlikely therefore that PAF would field this for a long-distance run (neither does JF-17 has sufficient heavy-bombs to make the run worthwhile). Thus the most feasible deployment of this is in the Western theatre against Afghanistan, as well as for training purposes, as well as for rapid engagement of enemy aircraft from the Indian side. The aircraft has attracted attention from Egypt, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and other friendly countries, and can earn significant forex for Pakistan.
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Jan 27, 2015 12:09am
someone commented by saying that the JF17 is not built in Pakistan because most of the parts are from other countries. I guess either they are not aware of how n engineering system is build or just plain stupid. If you decompose even F-16 you will find most of the parts not built by Lockheed Martin but it is the system as a whole that matters. It's just like you can have all the ingredients but still you make the worst biryani because you don't know how to gel them together which is the real art. Creating systems using parts is what engineering is and that's how you start.
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Jan 27, 2015 12:25am
Induction into combat commanders school, considered one of the best in the world by US and Russians, is a real achievement. This means it will become frontline fighter aircraft. It was designed by Pakistan along with its avionics, while the frame and testing was in China. Pakistan has got orders for 100 planes to 7 countries.
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Jan 27, 2015 01:16am
The article doesn't include the features this aircraft will carry? It would be great one can share it?
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Jan 27, 2015 01:28am
" .... an indigenous war fighting machine co-developed by Pakistan and China" Talk about an oxymoron. This is like Serious Comedy!
BTW, before we feel proud to be a Pakistani, let's ask ourselves, we can't get rid of polio, cannot fight poverty, cannot fight terrorism and extremism in the country, cannot educate all our children, cannot overcome our energy shortage, cannot fight annual floods, cannot run an airline properly, cannot run railways properly, have now started experiencing gasoline shortages too, yet we feel proud to have an indigenous fighter jet whose sole purpose is to kill our enemies and defend our country.
If we cannot afford bread, we will eat cake!
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Jan 27, 2015 01:35am
Excellent :-)
Pakistan Army Zindabad
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Jan 27, 2015 01:53am
@Malik Saab So if you are thinking that the fighters around the world are all indigenously manufactured on each and every component then you are too wrong. Even US fighters are equipped with Fanuc Japan electronics
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Jan 27, 2015 01:56am
@Shuaib Bhat F16 are old by age but not by performance. The latest developed US fighter F35 just performed at par if not better than F16
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Jan 27, 2015 02:01am
This better fly without petrol for apparent reasons :)
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Jan 27, 2015 02:05am
@Sheryar Khan Why are you asking these thought provoking questions?
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Jan 27, 2015 02:20am
@Malik Saab : u shall remain in stone age if you keep sitting hands on hands waiting to invent everything yourself! GOOD LUCK with that! some ppl just loveeee being all negative about all .. and I can bet he must be not ashamed of using products other than that of Pak in day to day basis yet said what he did! eh!
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Jan 27, 2015 02:30am
Pakistan has struggled for so long to achieve it's objectives, i feel proud as a Pakistani, now i can look up in the sky and say that fighter jet developed by Pakistan.
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Jan 27, 2015 02:34am
Most corrupt military in the world they can't even handle Taliban it has been over 9 years
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Jan 27, 2015 02:42am
@ Malik Saab, please learn to appreciate these achievements, at least we picked the best equipment available at our disposal and came up with this Pride. People like you have nothing else but criticize, still calling yourself Saab and and the inept government officials are so dumb that noting is expected good outta those crooks.
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Jan 27, 2015 02:45am
@Malik Saab Yes- it happens all over- british planes are powered by U.S. engines and vice versa- U.S. uses british harriers and upgrades them . Netrherlands Belgium etc, fly U.S. made planes. But this is a pakistani plane- like it or not- maybe your real name is malik preetam
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Jan 27, 2015 02:48am
@woody - And Woody knows it all!!
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Jan 27, 2015 03:01am
For all those complaining about china not using the jet, agar paf hadnt even assembled or brought this one into fleet, tab bhi these people would still be sitting here n conplaining, that how uncreative or whatnot we are. And those worrying about polio, let me tell you,polio isnt militarys responsibilty, its gov. N just cuz gov has failed in every area doesnt mean defense programs should be overlooked.
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Jan 27, 2015 03:07am
@Zak now some electricity, petrol, school etc
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Jan 27, 2015 03:11am
good luck
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Jan 27, 2015 03:18am
@Malik Saab - What was your contribution ?
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Jan 27, 2015 03:24am
China is focusing on manfacturing 5th generations stealth jets to counter the f-22.They will replace their existing fleet of f-7s with J-10 and J-11 ,so we will never see them induct these aircrafts.Jf-17 was tailored made for PAF ,as a matter of fact , Paf was heavly involved in the design of this aircraft.Indias Tejas Light aircraft after two decades is still non operational , while pakistan is ready to induct its 3rd squadron
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Jan 27, 2015 03:27am
@Malik Saab , keep burning within. Thunder is really a pride of Pakistan and pain for the enemies.
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Jan 27, 2015 03:53am
Tools of war and destruction(missiles,bombs,tanks,planes)make us proud.Money could be better spent on education and health.
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Jan 27, 2015 04:48am
@Malik Saab it was jointly designed by Pakistan and China. Some components are made in Pakistan. your same logic applies to most fighter jets where parts and components are sourced from elsewhere
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Jan 27, 2015 04:49am
PAF is the best air force in the world and with the induction of JF-17, it has become invincible.
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Jan 27, 2015 04:50am
@Sheryar Khan because they haven there air crafts to fill the role. This is made with PAF and other export markets' requirements including lower fly away and purchase costs
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Jan 27, 2015 04:53am
@Malik 18-24 million USD per unit depending on factors
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Jan 27, 2015 05:06am
@Malik Saab as soon as you start to pay your share of taxes,we will spent it on reinventing the wheel. Till that happens we will do what almost all fighter manufactures of the world are doing.
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Jan 27, 2015 05:26am
@Malik Saab Cynics not needed.
Where do you think the first equipment 'built' in the US come from. It is common that when starting on a 'new' mission you start with the last step first: first just fly them, then assemble, them, then make part, the all, then design, etc ... So take a break from your cynicism.
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Jan 27, 2015 05:58am
Couldn't we have not mAde this announcement yesterday? This would have shaken Obama. What a mean machine. We should also replace all of the PIA planes with JF-17s - this will reduce reliance on Boeing and Airbus? Also it will reduce the travel time between Pakistan and Rest of the world. Great job PAF.
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Jan 27, 2015 06:41am
Good Luck.
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Jan 27, 2015 07:00am
@Range Rover irrelevant.
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Jan 27, 2015 07:09am
@Sheryar Khan There are thousands of chaini's products in market, but you won't find them in china either. It does not means they are bad products. Don't be so pessimistic.
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Jan 27, 2015 07:52am
@Zaku
I'll take a cheeni product over a hindi product anytime. The latter have done more research and more production than our Indian friends who think that somehow since they buy from the West, they are better than the Chinese.
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Jan 27, 2015 07:53am
@Arif Siddiqi
That is because they cannot get over the fact that this amazing capability can be developed by Pakistan in collaboration with China. The rest of the world can have joint ventures, but in their minds, if Pakistan does it, its not a Pakistani product.
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Jan 27, 2015 07:54am
I am no expert but I have had my fair share in PAF and have been in touch (on and off) with military technology development. Now there is bad news and good news. The bad news is there is a lot of competition and we are not where we should be, and there are a lot of haters out there. The good news is we are on the right track. JF-17 is definitely not latest in military innovation but it is cost effective, that is its strong suit. PAF has acheived the technical know-how of aircraft manufacturing and now we are ready for export. It is an achievement not only for the military but also from an economic point of view.
As for the haters, I hope their "Tejas" finally takes off after 30+ years in development (yup, you read it correctly). To be honest, "Tejas" is already obsolete before it can even take off properly.
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Jan 27, 2015 08:09am
@Mustafa so what do you think who we are going to fight with by having this piece of low equipment--- Bangladesh or Srilanka as we can not fight with USA, India or any other powerful country by having this so called home made jet... Let's encourage govt to spend some money on poor people before they start spreading rumour that now we are making these fighter jets at home.
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Jan 27, 2015 08:12am
@Salman Pakistan force is the best but leaders are worse. Let's focus more on development of the country rather than thinking about destruction all the time...Have we achieved high goals with hospitals, schools, education, roads, electricity, terrorism, corruption etc.. we should be more worried about these things first rather than keep wasting our money and resources on weapons to prove India that we are powerful as well, while we are not in reality..
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Jan 27, 2015 08:21am
@Malik Saab You have any reference for the great information you spilled.
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Jan 27, 2015 08:31am
Pakistan has made significant progress in the field of military hardware, since its run and operated under the military. I am not sure if any significant progress is done on the civilian side? Two airports, may be its due to the elite's need?
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Jan 27, 2015 08:54am
@Sheryar Khan so better you start walking around a bucket of green paint and go to Burz Khalifa, paint it and say it belongs to pakistan. We feel proud to be pakistanis but all these middle eastern countries Sheikhs hate us.. we can not even buy piece of land in their country. They treat us like slaves in Dubai, Qatar, Saudi, Iran...
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Jan 28, 2015 10:46pm
@Malik Saab the whole world has done the same
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