JF-17 Thunder Block-III to Debut at UK Airshow

Islamabad, Jul 17 (PTI) - Pakistan's advanced JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets are set to take part in a prestigious UK military airshow, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), announced the Pakistan Air Force in a statement on Thursday.

The statement emphasized that the Pakistan Air Force’s involvement in RIAT, one of the largest military airshows globally, highlights its dedication to demonstrating professional excellence. The JF-17 aircraft have already arrived at the Royal Air Force Base Fairford.

The JF-17 Block-III, equipped with EASA Radar and Long Range BVR, is a cutting-edge 4.5 generation multi-role fighter aircraft. It can perform various combat missions, enhancing airpower capabilities to tackle modern challenges and reinforce national security.

Pakistan asserts that it operationally deployed the JF-17 in the recent conflict with India. The aircraft's combat-tested capabilities and operational proficiency have attracted substantial attention worldwide. Therefore, its participation in RIAT is highly anticipated within the aerospace and defense sectors.

RIAT 2025 is scheduled from July 18 to 20 and has been a hallmark event for over 50 years, supporting the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, as noted in the statement.

The JF-17, a single-engine multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), first took to the skies in 2003, as highlighted on the official event website.