Days after claiming that Bangladesh has expressed interest in procuring JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, jointly developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Islamabad said another country has expressed keen interest in JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
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Pakistan had made tall claims of the single-engine lightweight JF-17 fighter jet proving its combat capabilities during the recent military conflict with India. Now, according to Islamabad, Iran has expressed interest in the fighter jet, after Bangladesh.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), during his official visit to Iraq, called on Lieutenant General Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, and the two discussed enhancing bilateral military cooperation, according to a statement from the Pakistan military.
Discussions between the air chiefs of Pakistan and Iraq centered on strengthening bilateral military cooperation, with a particular focus on joint training, capacity building, and enhanced operational coordination.
The Iraqi Air Chief lauded the Pakistan Air Force’s professionalism and technological progress, conveyed interest in leveraging its world-class training capabilities, and expressed keen interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, the statement said.
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A few days ago, Pakistan claimed that during the discussions between the Chief of the Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and the Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu in Islamabad, detailed discussions were held on the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft. Bangladesh, however, is yet to confirm plans to procure the aircraft.
There have also been reports of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discussing the possibility of converting about $2 billion of Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal.
Aamir Masood, a retired Air Marshal and analyst, was quoted by Reuters as saying that Pakistan was in talks about or had finalised deals with six countries to provide equipment, including JF-17s and electronic systems, and weapons systems for the jets.