Pakistan to sell 3 JF-17s to Nigeria
Talks under way for the sale of batch II of the aircraft for $184.3m
Pakistan has successfully gained a contract for the sale of three JF-17 thunder aircraft to Nigeria, while talks are under way with several other countries to promote indigenously produced aircraft.
The Pakistani government’s Economic Coordination Committee has approved sovereign guarantee certificate over the sale of the JF17 jets to Nigerian Air force for a sum of $184.3 million (Dh676.8 million).
Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production informed the economic decision-making committee that Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra has signed a contract for the sale of the three aircraft and its associated package to Nigerian Air Force.
Nigeria is Pakistan’s second international customer of its domestically assembled JF-17 thunder multi-role fighter jet, after Myanmar.
According to officials, Pakistan is also holding talks with at least three other countries including Malaysia, Azerbaijan and a Gulf nation, for the sale of the JF-17 batch II, more sophisticated and advanced than batch I.
In 2010, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) equipped its first squadron with JF-17 multirole fighters, developed jointly with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). In recent years, PAC has successfully inducted more than 100 JF-17 Block-I and BlockII and anticipate the more advanced Block III, which includes a major upgrade in electronic subsystems.
The recent sale of the Pakistani multirole fighters indicates the potential and capabilities of Pakistan’s aircraft and defence industry. Defence expert Sultan M Hali said: “Pakistan’s defence industry has launched cutting-edge indigenisation programmes together with strengthening the local industry and harnessing the demands of foreign aviation industry by promoting joint research and production ventures.”
Pakistan’s defence industry has launched cutting-edge indigenisation programmes together with strengthening the local industry and harnessing the demands of foreign aviation industry by promoting joint research and production ventures.”
Sultan M. Hali | Defence expert