Pakistan has sent its advanced JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets to the United Kingdom to take part in the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).
The Pakistan Air Force’s state-of-the-art JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets touched down at RAF Fairford in southern England, accompanied by the versatile C-130H Hercules transport aircraft and the IL-78MP aerial refueling tanker. Their arrival marks a significant moment for Pakistan at one of the world’s most prestigious military aviation events.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan Air Force contingent includes the advanced JF-17 Block-III fighters, the reliable C-130H, and the IL-78MP tanker. The JF-17s demonstrated their long-range capabilities by successfully refueling mid-flight with the help of the IL-78MP during their journey to the UK—a complex operation that highlights the skill and coordination of PAF crews.
The JF-17 Block-III, co-developed by Pakistan and China, is a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter equipped with an AESA radar and beyond-visual-range missile systems. The C-130H, known for its transport and humanitarian roles, and the IL-78MP, essential for aerial refueling, round out the PAF’s impressive lineup at the event.
