In February 1992, the China Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) invited the PAF to invest in the Super-7 programme in return for full participation in design and development phase, with exclusive co-production rights of up to 59 percent of the Super-7 airframe. PAF evaluated this offer and got the Government' approval in October 1994.

JF-17 is a light weight, multi-role day-night, all weather fighter with max TO weight 12,700kg, max speed 1.7M, ceiling 16,500m, max weapon load 3,900kg, range 3,000km. It would be equiped with a Russian engine (probably RD-33, that powers MiG-29). PAF's version would carry a European avionics suite that includes a multi-mode Pulse Doppler radar, INS (Inertial Navigation System), multi-function displays etc and is expected to fulfil 70 percent of PAF operational requirments.

WEAPONS

The aircraft has 7 store stations, including one under the fuselage, 4 under the wings, and 2 wingtip mounted, with up to 3,800kg weapon payload.

The aircraft is of beyond-vision-range (BVR) attack capability with the SD-10 medium-range air-to-air missile (MRAAM) developed by China Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI, also known as 607 Institute). The aircraft also carries two short-range AAMs on its wingtip-mounted launch rails. The options include U.S. AIM-9P and Chinese PL-6, PL-8, and PL-9.

The aircraft can carry a special pod allowing day/night delivery of laser-guided weapons. In addition, it can also carry unguided weapons such as iron bomb and unguided rocket launchers.

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