Pak, China To Upgrade JF-17 Jet With Advanced Weapons

China and Pakistan will be upgrading JF-17 fighter jet with advanced weapons eyeing export orders.

The JF-17 thunder fighter jet will have advanced capabilities such as air-to-air refuelling data link, electronic warfare integrated with more guided weapons, Liu Yu, Vice President of China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation, was quoted as saying during the ongoing Dubai Airshow by China Military website Monday.

He said the next generation of the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft will satisfy the growing market demand from third parties "as the future JF-17 aircraft is a comprehensive elevation of the aircraft."

A dual-seat version of JF-17 fighter/trainer is also under development, he said.

JF-17 thunder is jointly manufactured by Chinese Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and the Pakistani Air Force (PAF).

The newer version of the fighter aircraft is expected to enter service by the end of 2016, PAF Air Vice Marshal Arshad Malik said.