PAC MFI-17 Mushshak#Variants

File:PAC Super Mushshak at Dubai Air Show 2017.jpg, 2017]]

File:PAC Super Mushshak cockpit.jpg

{{more citations needed section|date=January 2024}}

The MFI-15 Safari and MFI-17 Supporter were created from Saab's adaptation of the MFI-9 Junior for basic training for civil and military operators.

In 1968 Saab began work on its MFI-15, based on the MFI-9 but with some design changes. Foremost among the changes in the Saab-built MFI-15 prototype was the 120 kW (160shp) Lycoming IO-320 piston engine. Like the MFI-9, the MFI-15 retained the unusual braced, mid-mounted and slightly forward-swept wing and rearward-hinged canopy, offering good all-around vision. The prototype made its maiden flight on June 11, 1969. Follow-up testing of the MFI-15 resulted in a more powerful IO-360 engine, while the horizontal tail was relocated to prevent it being damaged by thrown up debris. The first flight of this modified form was in February 1971.

Sold as the MFI-15 Safari, most went to civil customers, however Sierra Leone and Norway took delivery of Safaris for military pilot training. To improve the Safari's military market appeal, Saab developed the MFI-17 Supporter, fitted with six underwing hardpoints for light and practice weaponry, giving it weapons training and light COIN capabilities. First flight was on July 6, 1972. Important were Denmark and Zambia. Production ended in the late 1970s after about 250 Safaris and Supporters had been built, mostly for civil customers.

Pakistan has taken delivery of 18 Supporters, while 92 have been assembled locally by PAC from knocked down kits and a further 149 were built locally by PAC. It is named Mushshak ("Proficient") in Pakistani service. In 1981, Pakistan acquired sole manufacturing rights to the Supporter. The development of the MFI-395 in 1995 was initiated by the then-managing director of AMF, Air Cdr Muhammad Younas. The aircraft was built by upgrading the MFI-17 with an advanced 260 hp engine, electrical instruments, dual flight control systems and a Bendix RSA fuel injection system.

As of 2022, there were 477 MFI-15/17/395 in use, making it one of the most commonly used training aircraft in the world.

Fitted with an American 260 hp engine, cockpit air conditioning, electrical instruments, and electric/manual elevator and rudder trim, the aircraft has been developed to meet FAR part 23 certification in normal, utility and aerobatics categories. It has a spacious side-by-side cockpit allowing good contact between the pilot and the co-pilot/observer or between the student and the instructor.

• MFI-17 Mushshak
• MFI-395 Super Mushshak {{mdash}} Pakistan Aeronautical Complex unveiled a light attack variant of the Super Mushshak in March 2019. The aircraft is capable of launching Barq laser-guided and anti-tank missiles.{{cite web |title=Pakistan develops super Mushak combat aircraft |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/03/18/pakistan-develops-super-mushak-combat-aircraft/ |website=Pakistan Today |access-date=19 March 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190319161015/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/03/18/pakistan-develops-super-mushak-combat-aircraft/ |archive-date=19 March 2019 |location=Islamabad |date=19 March 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Pakistan develops version of trainer aircraft that can fire missiles |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2019/03/19/pakistan-version-aircraft-missiles.html |website=The Week |access-date=19 March 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190319161113/https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2019/03/19/pakistan-version-aircraft-missiles.html |archive-date=19 March 2019 |date=19 March 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Pakistan Unveils Light Attack Super Mushak Turboprop Aircraft |url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/24490 |website=Defense World |access-date=19 March 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190319161028/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/24490 |archive-date=19 March 2019 |date=19 March 2019 |url-status=live }} The Super Mushshak is in use by several countries, including the Pakistan Air Force, Azerbaijani Air Force and the Nigerian Air Force.

File:Super Mushshak operators.png

;{{AZE}}

• Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force – 10{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan to buy 10 Super Mushshak aircraft from Pakistan|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/219393-Azerbaijan-to-buy-10-Super-Mushshak-aircraft-from-Pakistan|website=The News International|access-date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170728130545/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/219393-Azerbaijan-to-buy-10-Super-Mushshak-aircraft-from-Pakistan|archive-date=28 July 2017|location=Islamabad|date=27 July 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=Khan|first1=Bilal|title=Azerbaijan orders 10 Super Mushshak trainers from Pakistan|url=http://quwa.org/2017/07/27/azerbaijan-orders-10-super-mushshak-trainers-pakistan/|website=Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group|access-date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170728130345/http://quwa.org/2017/07/27/azerbaijan-orders-10-super-mushshak-trainers-pakistan/|archive-date=28 July 2017|date=27 July 2017|url-status=dead}}

;{{IRN}}

• Iran Air Force – 25{{cite book |title = The Military Balance 2020 |author = International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link = International Institute for Strategic Studies |date = 15 February 2020 |page = 351 |publisher = Routledge |location = London, England |isbn = 9780367466398 |ref = IISS2020 }}

;{{IRQ}}

• Iraqi Air Force - 12 MFI-395 Super Mushshak delivered (additional 12 on order). 2nd batch of two aircraft delivered on 19 April 2023 to 202nd Training Squadron at Balad Air Base, Iraq.{{cite web | url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/first-batch-of-iraqi-air-force-super-mushshak-delivered | title=First batch of Iraqi Air Force Super Mushshak delivered }}

;{{NGR}}

• Nigerian Air Force – 10 delivered as of January 2018.{{cite news|url=http://www.janes.com/article/66127/nigerian-air-force-commissions-first-super-mushshak-trainers|title=Nigerian Air Force commissions first Super Mushshak trainers|publisher=IHS Jane's|first=Erwan de|last=Cherisey|location=Paris|date=9 December 2016|access-date=9 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210140111/http://www.janes.com/article/66127/nigerian-air-force-commissions-first-super-mushshak-trainers|archive-date=10 December 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Nigeria temporarily operated four Pakistani Air Force Super Mushshaks for early training.{{cite web |last1=Warnes |first1=Alan |date=5 December 2016 |title=Nigeria receives first Super Mushshak |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nigeria-receives-first-super-mushshak-432103/ |access-date=29 June 2025 |publisher=FlightGlobal}} The contract included the deployment of Pakistani pilots and technicians to assist the Nigerians.{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2016/07/01/nigeria-to-acquire-super-mushshak-aircraft-from-pakistan/ |title = Nigeria To Acquire Super Mushshak Aircraft From Pakistan| date=July 2016 }}

;{{OMA}}

• Royal Air Force of Oman – 8{{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2021|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies|date=25 February 2021|page=359|publisher=Routledge|location=London, England|isbn=9781032012278|ref=IISS2021}}

;{{PAK}}

• Approximately 368 operational with the Pakistan Armed Forces{{cite web|url=http://defence.pk/threads/mushshak-trainer-aircraft.299684/#ixzz4NW7jEjzc|title=Mushshak Trainer Aircraft|access-date=2019-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202073413/http://defence.pk/threads/mushshak-trainer-aircraft.299684/#ixzz4NW7jEjzc|archive-date=2017-02-02|url-status=dead}} - 217 with Pakistan Army, 151 Super Mushshak with Pakistan Air Force (4 Super Mushshak were loaned temporarily to Nigeria)

;{{QAT}}

• Qatar Emiri Air Force - 8 on order, first batch of 4 delivered in July 2017{{cite news|title=Qatar buys Super Mushshak trainers from Pakistan|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1266743/qatar-buys-super-mushshak-trainers-from-pakistan/|publisher=Dawn News|date=23 June 2016|access-date=23 June 2016}}{{cite news|title=Qatar Signs Contract to Purchase "Super Mushshak" Trainer Aircraft from Pakistan|url=http://www.qna.org.qa/en-us/News/16062515210037/Qatar-Signs-Contract-to-Purchase-Super-Mushshak-Trainer-Aircraft-from-Pakistan|publisher=Qatar News Agency|date=25 June 2016|access-date=27 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816040455/http://www.qna.org.qa/en-us/News/16062515210037/Qatar-Signs-Contract-to-Purchase-Super-Mushshak-Trainer-Aircraft-from-Pakistan|archive-date=16 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|last1=Binnie|title=Qatar receives first Super Mushshak trainers|url=http://www.janes.com/article/72477/|website=IHS Jane's 360|access-date=26 July 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170726140931/http://www.janes.com/article/72477/qatar-receives-first-super-mushshak-trainers|archive-date=26 July 2017|date=20 July 2017|url-status=dead}}

;{{KSA}}

• Royal Saudi Air Force - 20{{cite web |title=MFI-395 Super Mushshak Trainer Aircraft |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mfi-395-super-mushshak-trainer-aircraft/ |website=Air Force Technology |access-date=19 March 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190319162140/https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mfi-395-super-mushshak-trainer-aircraft/ |archive-date=19 March 2019 |url-status=live }}

;{{SYR}}

• Syrian Air Force - 6{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=90688|title = World Air Forces 2023|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2023 |doi = |accessdate= 22 April 2023|url-access=registration}}

;{{TUR}}

• Turkish Air Force – 52 Super Mushshaks ordered,{{cite web |url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/362241-Pakistan-to-supply-52-Super-Mushshak-jets-to-Turke |title = Pakistan to supply 52 Super Mushshak jets to Turkey - Pakistan - Dunya News}}{{cite web|last1=Khan|first1=Bilal|title=Ideas 2016: Turkey Inks 52 Super Mushshak Deal with Pakistan Aeronautical Complex|url=http://quwa.org/2016/11/23/ideas-2016-turkey-inks-52-super-mushshak-deal-with-pakistan-aeronautical-complex/|website=Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group|access-date=24 November 2016|date=23 November 2016}} the 16+ delivered.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-17 |title=Turkey bought 52 Pakistani Mushshak aircraft, the first three arrived |url=https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/11/17/turkey-bought-52-pakistani-mushshak-aircraft-the-first-three-arrived/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |language=en-US}}

;{{ZIM}}

• Zimbabwe Air Force – 12 Super Mushshaks on order{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Ritu |date=2024-05-10 |title=As India Struggles, Pakistan Bags Another Jet Deal; To Deliver 12 Super Mushshak Aircraft To Zimbabwe |url=https://www.eurasiantimes.com/as-india-struggles-pakistan-bags-another-contract/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News |language=en-US}}

The aircraft has been involved in a few notable crashes:

• 2012: In April, a Mushshak aircraft with a major and a captain on board was on a routine training flight when it crashed due to technical issues in Gujranwala, Pakistan.{{Cite web |title=2 pilots killed as army plane crashes in Pakistan - World - Chinadaily.com.cn |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world//2014-04/08/content_17415025.htm |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}
• 2016: In February, a Mushshak trainer crashed during a routine training flight near Gujranwala, killing the instructor and the trainee pilot.{{Cite web |last=AP |title=Pakistan army training aircraft crashes, 2 dead |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/pakistan-army-training-aircraft-crashes-2-dead |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=news.desk |date=2016-02-09 |title=Two pilots killed as Pakistan Army jet crashes near Gujranwala |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1043314/two-pilots-dead-as-pakistan-army-jet-crashes-near-gujranwala |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}
• 2020: In April, a Mushshak crashed during a routine training mission near Gujrat. Major Umer, an instructor pilot, and Lieutenant Faizan, a trainee pilot, were killed during the crash.{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Naveed |date=2020-04-13 |title=2 pilots martyred as Pakistan Army aircraft crashes near Gujarat |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1548832 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Two officers martyred as Pak Army trainer aircraft crashes |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/644287-two-officers-martyred-as-pak-army-trainer-aircraft-crashes |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}
• 2024: A Mushshak trainer aircraft that took off from Risalpur Asghar Khan Academy developed a technical issue. The pilots resorted to a forced landing in a field, in Nowshera. The aircraft's nose gear collapsed during the landing but the pilot and co-pilot were unhurt.{{Cite web |title=Incident PAC MFI-395 Super Mushshak, Monday 12 February 2024 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/351655 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}

{{Aircraft specs

|ref= Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89,{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89 |year=1988 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=London |isbn=0-7106-0867-5 |editor1-last=Taylor |editor1-first=John W.R. |edition=79th |page=180}} Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94,{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1993–94 |editor1-last=Taylor |editor1-first=Michael J.H. |editor2-last=Lambert |editor2-first=Mark |editor3-last=Munson |editor3-first=Kenneth |date=1993 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon, Surrey, UK |isbn=978-0710610669 |edition=84th |pages=225–226}} Pakistan Aeronautical Complex,{{cite web|url=http://www.pac.org.pk/mushshak.html|title=Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra - mushshak.html}} Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003–04 |editor1-last=Jackson |editor1-first=Paul |year=2003 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom |isbn=0-7106-2537-5 |edition=94th |pages=325–326}}

|prime units?=met

|crew=2-3

|length m=7

|length note=

|span m=8.85

|span note=

|height m=2.6

|height note=

|wing area sqm=11.9

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=NACA 23012 mod{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}

|empty weight kg=646

|empty weight note=equipped

|gross weight kg=

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight kg=1200

|max takeoff weight note=normal

::::{{cvt|1125|kg|0}} utility

::::{{cvt|900|kg|0}} aerobatic

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Textron Lycoming IO-360-A1B6

|eng1 type=4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine

|eng1 kw=149

|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2

|prop name=Hartzell HC-C2YK-4F/FC7666A-2

|prop dia m=1.88

|prop dia note=constant-speed metal propeller

|max speed kmh=236

|max speed note=at sea level and {{cvt|1125|kg|0}}

|cruise speed kmh=210

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed kmh=100

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed kmh=365

|never exceed speed note=at {{cvt|1125|kg|0}}

|range km=

|range note=

|combat range km=

|combat range note=

|ferry range km=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=5 hours 10 minutes at 65% power, at sea level, with 10% fuel reserve

|ceiling m=4100

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

::::+4.4 -1.76 (utility MTOW)

::::+6 -2 (aerobatic MTOW)

|roll rate=

|climb rate ms=5.2

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude={{cvt|1830|m|0}} in 9 minutes 18 seconds

|wing loading kg/m2=

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption kg/km=

|power/mass=

|more performance=

|hardpoints= 6× under-wing, maximum external load 300 kg (660 lb) total

• Possible loads:
• 2× 7.62 mm machine gun pods
• 2× 75 mm unguided rocket pod (7 rounds)
• 4× 68 mm unguided rocket pod (7 rounds)
• 6× wire-guided anti-tank missiles (ATGMs)
• Barq Air To Ground Guided Missiles

|avionics=

}}

{{portal|Pakistan|Aviation}}

{{aircontent

|see also=

||related=

• Saab Safari

|similar aircraft=

|lists=

|sequence=

}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{commons category|PAC Super Mushshak}}

• [http://www.pac.org.pk/mushshak Official PAC website – MFI-17 Mushshak webpage]
• [http://www.paktribune.com/exclusive/exclusivedetails.php?id=71 PakTribune.com PAF Training Crafts: MFI-17 Mushshak]
• [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraftsearch=Pakistan%20MFI-17%20Super%20Mushshak&distinct_entry=true Airliners.net MFI-17 picture gallery]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040507115654/http://www.vectorsite.net/avsa105.html#m5 MFI-17 factsheet at VectorSite.net]}}

{{PAC aircraft}}

Mushshak

Category:2000s Pakistani aircraft

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Shoulder-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1981

Category:1980s military trainer aircraft