Egyptian Air Force 'Very Interested' in the JF-17 Thunder

Commander of the Egyptian Air Force (EFE),  Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed has visited the JF-17 Thunder Fighter jet at the static display. The JF-17 Thunder has been developed jointly by the Pakistan and China as an affordable 4th generation aircraft.

Taking to the media personal at the Dubai Air Show, Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed has said that Egyptian Air Force is 'very interested' in the JF-17 Thunder and one of the EFE pilot has already flown on the flight simulator.

Last year, Janes Defence Weekly had reported that the Egyptian Air Force is closely following the development of the JF-17 Thunder and has launched negotiations with Pakistan & China to discuss the the possibility of licensed production of light weight fighter jet in Egypt.

Egyptian Air Force already operates K-8 Karakorum intermediate jet trainer which was also jointly develoed by the Pakistan and China.Pakistan Air Force is looking to induct over 250 JF-17 Thunders  to replace their ageing fleet of A-5s, F-7 P/MP and Mirages.

Brazil FX-2 competition JF17 Thunder

As reported by Brazil to acquire 36 fighter aircraft in FX-2 DEAL : Brazil is soon expected to make an announcement about its initial 36-aircraft FX-2 fighter deal. The top contenders for the FX-2 deal are Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen NG.

I just wish that JF17 Thunder was also a part of the competetion.

Although many would argue that FAB is looking for a deal which will take Brazil's aviation industry to the next advanced level, and though FC-1/JF17 Tunder can pretty much hold its ground against 4th gen aircraft, the benefits that Brazilian aviation industry will gain from the JF17 project are marginal, considering it is home to the aviation industry giant Embraer, world's fourth largest plane maker. Even though they have yet to embark on a Fighter jet production project of JF17's level, one cannot doubt their ability to produce if they ever wanted to.