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Pakistan to sell JF-17 aircraft to SL

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31 December 2015 06:48 am - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Pakistan is expected to secure an agreement for the sale of the JF-17 Thunder Aircraft during Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit in Sri Lanka in the first week of January 2016, IHS Jane's Defence Weekly reported on Tuesday.

JF-17 Thunder is a third-generation fighter co-produced by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC).

Sharif's upcoming talks in Colombo follow a mid-November visit to Pakistan by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) commander Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinhala during which the JF-17 was showcased by the Pakistanis.

Immediately after the visit AM Bulathsinhala was invited to send an evaluation team of technicians and pilots to PAC's Kamra facilities near Islamabad, where the JF-17 is produced.

The SLAF - which already flies several other Chinese-made aircraft types - is currently looking to upgrade its fighter capabilities. At present these rely on the Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir, which served as the workhorse of SLAF ground attack operations in the 1983-2009 civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Currently the JF-17 is flown only by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), with the first squadron of Block 1 aircraft becoming operational in 2010. In late December 2015, PAC rolled out the 16th of a planned total of 50 Block 2 aircraft to complete the PAF's fourth JF-17 squadron in service.

Phasing out its older Dassault Mirage III/5s and Chinese F-7Ps fighters, the PAF reportedly plans to induct at least 250 JF-17s. By contrast, China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) does not fly the JF-17.

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  Comments - 16

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  • Mason Thursday, 31 December 2015 12:37 PM

    Why do we need fighter planes, now that the war is over. Is it another purchase for the financial benefit of a few.

    Sincere Thursday, 31 December 2015 12:38 PM

    Buy them from a reliable source instead. Kafir fighter jets were not provided to us by Pakistanis. In any case what is the mighty hurry now to buy them when we have peace in the land??

    BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 31 December 2015 01:04 PM

    With the end of the war, do we really need to purchase fighter aircraft, given the present status of the countries finances.

    clueless Thursday, 31 December 2015 01:30 PM

    I agree. We are an island nation and no war anymore.

    ANTON Thursday, 31 December 2015 01:53 PM

    FIRST THEY USED WHITE VANS, AFTER THAT BLACK DEFENDERS, NOW THEY ARE GOING TO TRY JF 17.

    Sapu Thursday, 31 December 2015 02:23 PM

    well most of our current aircrafts are cold war era junk its good to replace them

    Bandara Thursday, 31 December 2015 02:28 PM

    If you realize that ISIS is already functioning and is becoming a treat to south Asia you would also understand the use of fighter jets.

    Sapu Thursday, 31 December 2015 02:31 PM

    the military was used as a political tool by MR and has not been upgraded in last 5 years

    Sapu Thursday, 31 December 2015 02:33 PM

    Jf17 is the cheapest modern fighter there is, russian,US,EU are super advanced but super expensive

    Sincere Thursday, 31 December 2015 02:46 PM

    But highly efficient Kafirs were supplied to us by Israelis!

    Sene Thursday, 31 December 2015 02:48 PM

    ANTON if we want to kidnap ppl shouldnt they buy a flying sources?

    Ajja Thursday, 31 December 2015 03:23 PM

    Weda nathi unath Sadde thiyenna ona...

    lokka Thursday, 31 December 2015 03:34 PM

    these aircraft is made by and assembled pakistan will it last long,,?

    Sapu Thursday, 31 December 2015 03:43 PM

    Israel does not produce fighter aircraft anymore they produce hightech missiles and sensors for aircraft and AWACs Aircraft

    Sapu Thursday, 31 December 2015 04:03 PM

    It was jointly deisgned iwth China and use russian engines

    V.carlos Thursday, 31 December 2015 08:11 PM

    better to buy a U-boat


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