fatman17
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Pakistani-French negotiations proceed on JF-17 enhancement
Farhan Bokhari JDW Correspondent - Islamabad
A French Ministry of Defence (MoD) official has confirmed that France is in talks with Pakistan to supply missiles and radars for the JF-17 fighter aircraft.
Bruno Berthet, assistant director for international development at the French MoD, said on 26 February that a deal on missiles and radars for the JF-17 has not yet been reached. However, he added that "the talks are on the right track and there are diplomatic comings and goings between the two countries".
France has been in talks with Pakistan about acquiring MBDA MICA air-to-air missiles and Thales RC 400 multimission radars, as Jane's first revealed in September 2007, despite concerns over the risks of China gaining access to the technology.
Pakistan plans to acquire up to 250 JF-17s - which it is developing jointly with China - to replace ageing French Dassault Mirage III and Mirage 5 aircraft, as well as older Chinese F-7 fighters.
Berthet said it was too early to tell when a memorandum of understanding might be signed with Pakistan.
One Western defence expert in Islamabad told Jane's that French missiles and radars could "substantially improve the JF-17's future as a formidable fighter aircraft".
Farhan Bokhari JDW Correspondent - Islamabad
A French Ministry of Defence (MoD) official has confirmed that France is in talks with Pakistan to supply missiles and radars for the JF-17 fighter aircraft.
Bruno Berthet, assistant director for international development at the French MoD, said on 26 February that a deal on missiles and radars for the JF-17 has not yet been reached. However, he added that "the talks are on the right track and there are diplomatic comings and goings between the two countries".
France has been in talks with Pakistan about acquiring MBDA MICA air-to-air missiles and Thales RC 400 multimission radars, as Jane's first revealed in September 2007, despite concerns over the risks of China gaining access to the technology.
Pakistan plans to acquire up to 250 JF-17s - which it is developing jointly with China - to replace ageing French Dassault Mirage III and Mirage 5 aircraft, as well as older Chinese F-7 fighters.
Berthet said it was too early to tell when a memorandum of understanding might be signed with Pakistan.
One Western defence expert in Islamabad told Jane's that French missiles and radars could "substantially improve the JF-17's future as a formidable fighter aircraft".