Iraq to purchase 12 JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan
A JF-17 Thunder fighter jet. Photo: Shimin Gu/Jet Photos
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq successfully concluded a deal to purchase 12 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan, becoming the fifth country to order this type of aircraft, The International News reported.
Islamabad is also expected to export its JF-17 Block III aircraft, which Pakistan has been jointly manufacturing with China, to Malaysia, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, and Myanmar, according to The International News.
Sources said that the Iraqi government has approved an outlay of $664 million for the purchase of 12 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets from Pakistan, The International News revealed.
The negotiations for the sale of the jets continued for more than two years, as The International News mentioned.
The purchase of aircraft from Pakistan would be the biggest defence deal between the two countries in about 40 years, as The International News illustrated.
Nigeria has already inducted JF-17 Thunder aircraft into its air force, and they are providing services in a satisfactory manner, The International News added.