Girish Linganna
The Pakistani Air Force (PAF) is said to be collaborating with its Chinese partners to enhance its JF-17 fighter jet, creating an advanced version, named the JF-17 PFX. Recent information indicates this upgraded model may be notably bigger than the existing JF-17, possibly weighing as much as India’s Tejas MkII, estimated at approximately 17.5 tons.
The abbreviation, ‘PFX’, appears to stand for ‘Pakistan Fighter Experimental’. According to a PAF press release, the JF-17 PFX forms a key component of the PAF’s broader modernization plan for the future. However, the exact details of the JF-17 PFX programme are currently uncertain.
The increase in size and weight of the JF-17 PFX would place it in a different weight category compared to the current JF-17 and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL’s) Tejas Mk1A, both of which have maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) of around 13,500 kg. HAL’s Tejas MkII represents a significant advancement in capabilities compared to its predecessor and there is speculation that the JF-17 PFX could undergo similar enhancement.
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