The development and production of the JF-17 Block 3 leads towards Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is next step. Yang Wei, a Chinese legislator and chief designer of the China-Pakistan co-developed fighter jet, said, “all related work is being carried out,” at a Thursday press conference featuring Chinese legislators and political advisers in aviation, China Aviation News reported Friday.

The third block will see the JF-17's informative warfare capability and weapons upgraded, Yang said.

Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the Global Times on Monday that the JF-17 Block 3 is expected to be fitted with an active electronically scanned array radar, which can gather more information in combat, enabling the fighter jet to engage from a farther range and attack multiple targets at the same time. A helmet-mounted display and sight system could also allow pilots to aim whatever he sees.

Pakistan, the main user of the JF-17, could further share information between the fighter and other platforms, taking advantage of the whole combat system to effectively defend against strong opponents like India, Wei said.

Myanmar and Nigeria have reportedly purchased the Chinese-Pakistani warplane.