PAC starts defence exports

Islamabad—Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra has started defence exports that include sale of 05 Super Mushshak aircraft and 03 Mushshak retrofitted to Super Mushshak aircraft and the first sale of Mushshak 17-1 aircraft to the civil market segment in South Africa. This was informed to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Production that visited PAC under the Chairmanship of Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, MNA where it was briefed in detail about various functions of PAC and was subsequently shown the facilities associated with various projects in hand, said a press release issued here.

The Committee appreciated overall performance and professionalism of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra which carries out the manufacturing of fighter aircraft JF-17.

The Committee was informed that Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra comprises four factories and is spread over an area of 10 Square Kilometers and has become a center of excellence in aviation engineering based on more than 30 years of experience in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of fighter aircraft, components and engines. It was stated that the technological advancement from manufacturing of Mushshak and Super Mushshak primary flight trainer aircraft to JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft endorses the strength of PAC to meet future defence challenges. The JF-17 Thunder is a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather, day-night air superiority fighter aircraft with a mix of conventional and fly-by-wire controls that make it highly agile and maneuverable. It can fly at the speed of Mach 1.6, has high thrust to weight ratio and can engage targets at all speeds and altitudes within the conventional flying envelope. The aircraft has state of the art avionics package on board for high degree of survivability through automated system of threat detection, analysis and counter threat measures and to enable effective management of weapons and firepower.

It was informed that in 1972, PAC started with the MRO of aircraft of Chinese origin and subsequently progressed towards MRO of Mirage III and V aircraft and ATAR 09C engine, F100-220E engine of F-16 aircraft, T-56 engine of C-130 aircraft and avionics upgrade of fighter aircraft. The Committee was told that PAC manufactures Mushshak and Super Mushshak aircraft for primary flight training, sub-assemblies of K-8 advanced jet trainer aircraft as well as Baaz and Ababeel aerial target drones. The Mushshak aircraft is Type Certified by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and has been issued Type Acceptance Certificate by South Africa Civil Aviation Authority.—Online