In the mid-1950s, the suddenly obsolete MiG-17 underwent an upgrade program to keep it relevant as a rear-line fighter-interceptor despite the advent of the MiG-19 and MiG-21. The upgrade package, titled the MiG-17PF, incorporated both the MiG-17F upgrade of adding an afterburner to the VK-1 engine for increased thrust, and the upgrade of the MiG-17P to add an RP-5 Izumrud radar system for all-weather capability. The armament was also simplified to three NR-23 cannons instead of the usual 2 x NR-23 + 1 x NR-30, making gun ballistics for pilots and maintenance for ground crew much easier. This variant saw export to many countries around the world, from western shores of Cuba to the far eastern orients of Vietnam and Korea. One operator of this variant was the Hungarian Air Force, who received many examples of this aircraft. One such example (Red 401) is on display in a museum and is almost identical to Red 403 in-game.

The MiG-17PF (Italy), introduced in Update "Alpha Strike", is best characterized as a more aggressive MiG-17, due to the more powerful engines and more forgiving armament than its base model sibling in the Soviet tech tree. One must keep in mind however that the increased weight thanks to the new engine and radar system means that the wing loading is higher, and as a result, high speed compression of the control surfaces is more prominent. One must also stay cautious of more advanced missiles and high performance supersonic fighters that the MiG-17PF can face in an uptier.