Clutch
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September 25, 2021
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has received an international order for the supply of 12 fighter jets JF-17 Thunder Block III to Iraq, local media reported on Saturday.
The advanced-level jets are manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra n with the cooperation of China.
Reports cited sources as saying that officials from Pakistan and Iraq held various rounds of talks to finalize the defence deal.
The negotiations finally concluded with the recent visit of Iraqi defence delegation led by Deputy Commander Iraqi Air Force Major General (Pilot) Muhammad Majeed Mahdi Mahmood.
In April this year, Pakistan exhibited models of its JF-17 fighter jet, Al-Khalid battle tank, Takbir precision munition and Azmat-class missile boat among other defense hardware in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
This was the first ever exhibition of Pakistani defense goods in Iraq which is one of the main buyers of military hardware after the Gulf nations and Egypt.
Nigeria and Myanmar have already inducted these jets in their fleet.
In May this year, Pakistan had formally handed over to Nigerian Air Force in an official ceremony at Makurdi, Nigeria.
https://pakobserver.net/iraq-to-purchase-12-pakistan-made-jf-17-thunder-fighter-jets/
I wonder which Block they are going to go for... Nigeria and Myanmar got Block-2.
If I were the Iraqi I would go for Block-3 giving them a significant leap in technology wrt to great BVR and AESA Radar. This will put them ahead of many in the region and at par with the Saudis (as far as tech availability is concerned.... Not comparing platforms).