Pakistan Air Force Chengdu JF-17. By Wikimedia user (Shimin Gu)
Iraq will purchase a number of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan for its air force, The News International and other sources reported on July 9.
The JF-17 was jointly developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The fighter jet can be used for multiple roles, including interception, ground attack, anti-ship, and aerial reconnaissance.
Citing unnamed sources, The News International said that the Iraqi government has approved an outlay of $664 million for the purchase of 12 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets from Pakistan.
The Pakistani newspaper quoted Iraqi Defence Minister Jumaa as saying, “We signed a contract with a Pakistani company to purchase aircraft.” The negotiations for the sale of the fighter jets continued for more than two years, according to the newspaper.
The JF-17 Block III, which is the latest version of the fighter jet, is reportedly equipped with an active electronically scanned array fire control radar, a three-axis digital fly-by-wire flight control system, an infrared search and track system, a helmet-mounted display and sight system, a missile approach warning system, a large holographic wide-angle head-up display, an enhanced electronic warfare management system, a chin-mounted hardpoint.
The fighter jet, which is powered by a single Russian-made Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan engine, can be armed with a wide range of precision-guided munitions from China and other sources, including the United States.
The deal, which is reportedly being approved by the Iraqi parliament, would boost the capabilities of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF).
JF-17 fighter jets could easily replace American-made F-16s currently in service with the IQAF, giving Iraq more dependence from the U.S. Iraq may also cancel plans to purchase much more expensive and harder to maintain Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
