Pak to buy 8 JF-17 Thunder jets from China

Islamabad, Jan 23: The chief of the Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mehmood Ahmed has said that Pakistan would get eight JF-17 Thunder at the end of the year which would be inducted in fleet of Pakistan Air Force. In the first year, 15 to 17 warplanes would be developed, he added.

Speaking on the occasion of the beginning of the co-production of the warplane by both Pakistan and China at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, Air Chief Marshal Ahmed said the assembling, paint and fly test would be held in Pakistan while all the remaining stages would be completed in China.

He informed that 25 warplanes would be manufactured in two to three years while after 2010, the warplanes would be developed on commercial basis. Pakistan would make its parts and in case of export in the international market, it would have its share, he added.

Air Chief Marshal Ahmed further said that the warplane, which has the modern aeropane system, would be only warplane of the world, which has the ability to carry every type of weapons. The warplane could carry conventional and non-conventional weapons but at present there is no need of install the system to carry nuclear arms.

Online News quoted Ahmed as saying that the production of JF-17 Thunder reflects the intensity of Pak-China friendship, adding that cordial relations exist between the Air force of both the countries.

Relations between Pakistan and China in the defence and military fields were exceptional, he said, and added that Pakistan Air Force is being equipped with latest technology and planes.

Responding to another question, Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mehmood Ahmed said that talks are underway for obtaining the modern radar with several European countries, adding that Avanax Planes would be developed completely in China.

Answering to another question, the Air Chief said that Pakistan had acquired F-16 planes from the United States according to its needs and requirements, adding that the supply of remaining planes would be started in the next year.

ANI