At a ceremony held at one of the PAF's operational bases on Thursday, China's JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, which has been indigenously produced by Pakistan, was formally inducted into the Pakistan Air Force.

The Daily Times reports that Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman was the chief guest on the occasion.

The JF-17 Thunder has the capability to undertake the entire spectrum of offensive as well as defensive missions. It is believed that the JF-17 would not only enhance the combat readiness of PAF but also form its backbone in the future.

 "I congratulate the nation and all PAF personnel on this momentous occasion. The formal induction of this aircraft is in line with our resolve to face all challenges with poise and self-confidence. These new state-of-the-art inductions make it imperative that we train hard and prepare well in order to induct and integrate the new systems professionally and safely," said Air Chief Marshal Suleman, congratulating the airmen.

"We are a peaceful nation with no aggressive designs. We are inducting new systems to keep up with the technology and to maintain a credible, conventional balance of force, without which peace cannot be ensured in South Asia," he further added.

He said that the JF-17 would be tested in the forthcoming Exercise Hi-Mark 2010. (With Input from Agencies)