Iraq reportedly set to acquire
Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder Fighters
Reports have emerged
suggesting that an agreement has been reached between Pakistan and Iraq for the
sale of 12 JF-17C Thunder Block III fighter jets, along with spare parts and
ammunition.
The deal is said to have
been finalized during the
recent visit of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistani
Foreign Minister, to Baghdad. If approved by the Iraqi Parliament, the
agreement will mark the largest arms sale in Pakistan's history, with an
estimated minimum value of $1.1 billion.
The JF-17 Thunder is a
joint production between Pakistan and China, with 42% of its parts manufactured
in China and the remaining 58% in Pakistan. It is touted as a cost-effective
option for countries aiming to enhance their air defense capabilities. Equipped
with the Russian-designed Klimov RD-33 engine, the aircraft boasts a maximum
speed of Mach 1.6 at an altitude of 17,000 meters.
The Block III variant of
the JF-17 Thunder is expected to feature advanced enhancements, including an
AESA radar (active electronically scanned array), improved avionics, an IRST
(Infra-red search and track) system, and an in-flight refueling boom.
It is worth noting that
Iraqi authorities were also contemplating the French-made Dassault Rafale
fighter. In a statement on May 23, 2023, Major General Rasool, the
Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, hinted that Iraq was considering
the purchase of "modern military equipment" from France. However, it
remains unclear if the potential Rafale order is still being considered.
Source: https://www.aerotime.aero/