Pakistan marketing its new JF-17 fighter jet, developed with China
LONDON — Pakistan is making the rounds of Arab allies talking about its new
fighter-jet.
Officials said Pakistan has briefed such countries as Algeria, Egypt,
Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Sudan on the new
fighter, jointly developed with China.
Under an agreement with Beijing, a majority of the JF-17 could be
produced and assembled in Pakistan, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The airplane would reach close to the capabilities of existing U.S. and
Russian aircraft, but for about half the price," an official said.
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Pakistani Defense Secretary Shahid Siddiq said eight countries have
expressed interest in JF-17. So far, no export sales have been announced.
In March 2009, Pakistan signed a contract for 42 JF-17s for the air
force. The contract with China's state-owned CATIC, called for coproduction
of the aircraft, with the expectation that 15 would be manufactured in the
first year of the project by the state-owned Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
Pakistan has sought to become a significant military supplier to Gulf
Cooperation Council and Middle East states. So far, Pakistan's leading
military clients have been Saudi Arabia and Sudan.
The JF-17 program was launched in 1998 and the design was completed
three years later. So far, eight prototypes have been sent to Pakistan for
trials.