The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) formally inducted its three JF-17 Thunder multirole fighters into service during a 20 May ceremony at Makurdi Air Base that also marked its 57th anniversary.
The aircraft (NAF 120-122) were ordered from Pakistan in 2016 and formally signed over during the event, which was shown live by the NAF.
“The JF-17 aircraft is a single-engine single-seat all-weather day-and-night multirole tactical fighter with full air-to-air and air-to-surface combat capabilities,” an NAF commentator said. It has a range of 1,200 n miles (2,222 km) that can be extended using external fuel tanks and can carry up to 3,700 kg on its seven hardpoints.
It has three multifunctional displays and a head-up display, as well as a defensive aide suite that includes radar and missile approach warning systems, a countermeasure dispenser, and radar jamming pod.
The commentator added that the aircraft “provides low operating costs that come with a new, more efficient aircraft as opposed to much higher operating and maintenance costs associated with competing earlier-generation fighters”.
A pilot provided a briefing on the aircraft, saying it is capable of sharing data with another JF-17 so they see each other’s status. This also allows one to use a missile to engage a target that the radar of a second is locked on to.
The JF-17 was jointly developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The NAF is the third operator after the air forces of Pakistan and Myanmar.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...