Jointly developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), the JF-17 is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft.
MOSCOW: Iran is considering purchasing Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Block III fighter jets, according to recent reports. Pakistan has equipped the JF-17 Block III with advanced avionics, AESA radar, and advanced electronic warfare systems. The move is surprising, as it has long been expected that Iran would purchase Russian Su-35 fighter jets. The Sukhoi Su-35 is a 4++ generation Russian fighter aircraft developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It is a single-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft derived from the Sukhoi Su-27 operated by Russia and China. Currently, 68 Su-35s are in production, 64 of which are destined for Russia and four for export.
Why is the JF-17 fighter special?
Jointly developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), the JF-17 is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft. The JF-17 Block III is distinguished by advanced avionics, including the KLJ-7A AESA radar, which provides significant advantages in target detection and tracking. The aircraft is equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems, long-range missiles, and new flight control systems. Additionally, the JF-17 Block III is lightweight and has low operating costs compared to many competitors, making it an attractive option for countries with limited budgets.
How powerful is Russia’s Su-35?
The Russian Su-35 is a twin-engine heavy multirole fighter aircraft of the 4++ generation. Developed by Sukhoi, this model is equipped with the Irbis-E radar and can detect targets at a distance of up to 400 km under good conditions. The Su-35 uses powerful AL-41F1S engines with thrust vectoring capability, providing excellent maneuverability. Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems and can carry a wide range of weapons, including R-77 and R-73 air-to-air missiles.
Strong Iranian-Russian relations
Iran and Russia share strong strategic ties, which is why the Su-35 was considered a cornerstone of Iran’s air fleet modernization. However, obstacles in the production of the Russian Su-35 have led Iran to explore other options. Russia has not released a production schedule for the Su-35, and there have been significant delays in providing technical assistance.
Iran’s Alternative Plan
According to reports, Iran aims to create a hybrid fleet by combining Russian Su-35s and JF-17 Block III jets to ensure flexibility and diversity of its air force. Another possibility is that Iranian authorities have doubts about the capabilities of an export version of the Su-35 or face restrictions from Russia’s defense industry. It is also claimed that Iran could locally produce advanced fighter jets such as the Su-30 and Su-35. Iranian authorities are reportedly in talks with Russia to acquire the necessary technical knowledge and industrial capacity to produce these jets domestically.
