SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
At the recently concluded IDEAS 2024 defense exhibition, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officials revealed details of their ambitious PFX (Pakistan Fighter Program), a project aimed at developing an indigenous 4.5+ generation fighter aircraft. The program reflects Pakistan’s intent to bolster its air combat capabilities while reducing reliance on imported platforms.
The PFX aircraft is envisioned as a twin-engine fighter jet with advanced design features, including Canards For enhanced maneuverability and aerodynamic performance and will come with Advanced Sensors like Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system and a locally developed AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar.
PAF officials claim the PFX will surpass the capabilities of the JF-17, Pakistan’s current mainstay light fighter aircraft co-developed with China. While exact details remain scarce, PAF officials indicated that the first prototype of the PFX fighter could take to the skies within the next 4-5 years. The timeline suggests that Pakistan is accelerating its efforts to achieve milestones in design, testing, and production within the decade.
Pakistan operates over 160 Mirage-III and Mirage-V aircraft, many of which are outdated and in dire need of replacement. The PFX is expected to occupy a tier below the J-35A, a fifth-generation stealth fighter that Pakistan plans to acquire from China. With aging F-16s in its fleet, the PFX aims to fill the gap as a versatile multi-role combat aircraft capable of modern-day air superiority and strike missions.
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