Confusion Over Pakistan-Chinese JF-17 Fighter's Engine Selection

There seems to be confusion over the engine choice of the Chinese-Pakistan jointly manufactured JF-17 fighter aircraft.

A report in Want China Times on Tuesday quoting a Moscow based publication states that the JF-17 Thunder aircraft is likely to be equipped with Snecma’s M88-2 engine. M88-2 currently powers Rafale twin-engine fighter designed by Dassault for the French Air Force.

However earlier reports by a Pakistani newspaper, Express Tribune reported that Pakistan will be importing engines from Russia directly following an NOC from China. Currently, the fighter is equipped with Russian origin engines.

“Pakistan was importing engines via China earlier. China has recently issued a no objection certificate (NOC) to Pakistan. Both the nations were earlier producing the fighter as a joint venture,” The Express Tribune Daily had reported 14 February.

“The Chinese NOC now allows Pakistan to import fighter jet engines from Russia directly,” the source said. “This will not only reduce the cost of production of the fighter jet but will also lead to enhanced defense cooperation between Russia and Pakistan,” the newspaper had quoted unnamed sources.

China and Pakistan plan to display a two-seater version of FC-1 Xiaolong multirole fighter aircraft during the Paris Air Show held from June 15-21 this year. FC-1 is also known as JF-17 Thunder, Want China Times reported earlier.