Iraq eyes Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets

ISLAMABAD

Iraq has expressed keen interest in acquiring Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jets following high-level discussions between the air force chiefs of the two countries, the Pakistan military media wing said on Saturday.

During an official visit to Iraq, Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu met with Lt. Gen. Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, commander of the Iraqi Air Force, at Iraqi Air Force Headquarters, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed enhancing bilateral military cooperation with an emphasis on joint training, capacity building, and improving operational interoperability.

Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Iraqi Air Force in training and institutional development.

The Iraqi air chief praised the Pakistan Air Force’s professionalism and technological advancement, and expressed interest in benefiting from Pakistan’s world-class training programs.

"(He) expressed keen interest in JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft," said the ISPR.

Earlier this week, Sidhu also held a meeting with visiting Bangladesh Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan in Islamabad, who sought assistance in maintenance support for the Bangladesh Air Force’s aging fleet and integration of air defense radar systems to enhance air surveillance.

ISPR said Bangladesh showed interest in the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, alongside the fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainers and long-term technical support.