The dual-seat variant of the JF-17, the JF-17B prototype, has successfully carried out its maiden test flight on April 27 in China. Developed jointly by developed by China and Pakistan, JF-17B was primarily developed in response to export customer requirements for a combat-capable trainer variant. The nose of the aircraft was enlarged to accommodate an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar, which will be a core subsystem of JF-17 Block-III. Another difference from the single seat version of the aircraft is that JF-17B's dorsal fin contains an additional fuel tank. 

Reportedly, three JF-17Bs are already under production and soon to join Pakistan Air Force (PAF).