ISLAMABAD: A formation of eight JF-17 Thunder aircraft of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) escorted the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, who arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit on Monday.
The Thunder formation, led by Wing Commander Nauman Khalil, escorted the VVIP aircraft of the Chinese President, the moment it entered the Pakistani airspace and remained with it till it landed at PAF Nur Khan Airbase.
Later during the welcome ceremony at Nur Khan Airbase, eight JF-17 Thunders flew passed the saluting dais, honoring the Chinese President, in two formations of four aircraft each, said a PAF press release issued here.
It is the PAF's unique tradition of welcoming the visiting heads of states/governments of the friendly countries whenever they are on their official visits to Pakistan.
The PAF's current Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman also had an honour of leading such formation during his illustrious career.
In December 1996, when he was Wing Commander, he also led a formation of F-16 aircraft escorting the then visiting Chinese President, Jiang Zemin.
JF-17 programme is a joint venture between Pakistan and China and is termed as a flagship of friendly relationship between two countries.
JF-17 is jointly designed, developed and produced at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.
The programme offers a unique opportunity for strategic engagement between aviation industries of the two countries.
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