China Ready to Export JF-17 in Large-scale

In the next five years, China intends to sell up to 300 aircraft JF-17 Thunder fighter to several countries in Africa and the Middle East. The plane was in demand because they are cheap, the technology that is not much different from Western or Russian-made aircraft.

Thus affirmed the President of China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) Ma Zhiping, as quoted by defense magazine Jane's Defence Weekly February 22, 2012 edition. JF-17 Thunder (also known as FC-1 Xiaolong) made ​​jointly by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) of China and Pakisan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) from Pakistan.

Ma said, the ability of JF-17 is equivalent to the F-16 Fighting Falcon Lockheed Martin of the U.S., but with a much cheaper price. Some analysts estimate the price of JF-17 is only one-third of the price of the F-16.

Until now China has not entered a single-engine aircraft in the Air Force contract competition in other countries. Aircraft sales likely will be done in the form of direct military sales (direct military sale) between countries.

Several countries have expressed interest to buy this aircraft, among others, are Sudan, Azerbaijan, Zimbabwe, and Serbia. While Bangladesh, Iran, and Nigeria was mentioned as potential buyers.

PAC and Party Pakistan Air Force is currently developing the design of JF-17 Block 2, which will be equipped with the ability to refuel in the air and develop a two-seater version.

Fighter Aircraft: Swiss Air Force Actually Choose Rafale

Swiss Air Force is actually likely to choose French-made fighter aircraft, Dassault Rafale, the Swedish-made rather than plane, Saab Gripen. However, cost considerations make the Swiss government finally chose the Gripen.

Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer in Bern on Tuesday (2/14/2012), defended the government's decision to impose a choice on the Gripen, the reason the plane was offering the best price and maintenance costs in the long run than the two competitors, the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon.

The Cabinet decided to buy Swiss-made Saab Gripen of Sweden in November 2011, and intends to order 22 aircraft with a total price of 3.1 billion Swiss francs (USD 30.6 billion) to replace the fleet of Northrop F-5 Tiger they are elderly. Package price includes weaponry, logistics, training, and various other key elements.

Maurer's statement came after Sunday (2/12/2012), the weekly newspaper in Zurich Sonntagszeitung publish what they believe to be confidential AU report contains a recommendation after the Swiss Air Force pilots to try out three European fighter jet in 2008.

In the report, the Swiss Air Force is actually more inclined to recommend the Rafale or Typhoon dibading Gripen. According to them, Gripen is the only plane of the three options that do not meet "minimum requirements", especially when carrying out the mission of defense air patrol and air strikes.

"Rafale is recommended as a new fighter aircraft for the Swiss Air Force. Best alternative is the Eurofighter (Typhoon)," concluded the report.

Swiss Air Force Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Markus Gygax, who also attended the joint press conference Maurer, also defended the government's decision to choose Gripen, saying the current Saab Gripen has developed a new model, which is much better than their version of a trial in 2008. This new model aircraft, the Gripen NG, mentioned already meet the "minimum requirements" Swiss Air Force needs.

However, Maurer said it would still consider buying Gripen keputsan this again if the Dassault and the Eurofighter to offer more attractive than the Saab.