The first serial production JF-17 Block III are showing up

The first images of the first batch of new JF-17 Thunder Block III, fresh off the assembly line at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, surfaced on the web.

First picture of JF-17 Thunder Block-3 ⚡ 🇵🇰

3P10 indicates that atleast 10x airframes have been produced of JF-17 Thunder Block-3.

It's almost certain that JF-17 Thunder Block-3 will be the part of 23rd March 2022 Parade along with J-10C Vigorous Dragon 🐲 ⚡ pic.twitter.com/c2knEdn5SK

— Pakistan Strategic Forum (@ForumStrategic) January 4, 2022

The different photos show a flight line of seven Thunder Block III aircraft, but if we go by the serial numbers, the total number of fighters produced for this first batch could be eleven units.

As per this picture, this is 11th airframe of JF-17 Thunder Block-3

Serial number (3P-11) ⚡ 🇵🇰

Now atleast 11x JF-17 Thunder Block-3 are ready to rock & roll Alhumdulillah. @RupprechtDeino pic.twitter.com/P8wOxZ4r70

— Pakistan Strategic Forum (@ForumStrategic) January 4, 2022

Among the improvements incorporated in the Thunder with respect to the previous Block II are:

• AESA NRIET KLJ-7A radar of Chinese origin
• Wide-angle holographic HUD, derived from the one used by the J-20 stealth fighter
• Refurbished cockpit with updated display elements
• Updated avionics
• 3-axis fly-by-wire flight system
• HMD (pilot’s helmet mounted sight)
• An extra hardpoint under the fuselage for target designation, reconnaissance or ECM pods
• Increased use of composite materials in fuselage and wing structure
• Dual wing pylons for medium-range air-to-air missiles
• Upgraded self-defense systems, very similar to those used on the J-10C
• New weapons such as PL-10 and PL-15 air-to-air missiles or CM400AKG long-range anti-ship missiles

 

First 8 units of the PAC JF-17C Block III will be Rolled out by Tommorow from PAC’s Kamra.
After a full squadron has left the assembly line and tested by the FTC, they will be inducted into the Pakistan Air Force.@DGPR_PAF pic.twitter.com/PWNr81sex3

— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) December 30, 2021

Regarding the engine, there seem to be no visible changes with respect to the previous models and it may use the same Klimov RD-93 of the Blocks I and II; or it is the modernized version RD-93MA, but it is impossible to distinguish one model from the other in the pictures above. We will have to wait for official clarification on this matter.

Just a few days ago Pakistan announced the acquisition of 2 squadrons of J-10 Vigorous Dragon multi-role fighters from China (the first export order of this model), 25 of which will perform a flypast on March 23 as part of the celebration of a patriotic date in Pakistan. The J-10s are likely to be accompanied in the air by these new JF-17 Block IIIs.

The launch customer for the new JF-17 Block III is logically the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which ordered the construction of 50 units, but two other countries (for now) showed a marked interest in this supersonic light fighter, Argentina and Iraq.