Pakistan’s military media wing (ISPR) announced on Saturday that Iraq has shown strong interest in procuring Pakistan-made JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. It was stated that this interest emerged following high-level engagements between the air force commanders of the two countries.
As part of an official visit to Iraq, Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu met with Iraqi Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi at the Iraqi Air Force Headquarters. Details of the meeting were shared with the public by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Emphasis on Military Cooperation and Training
During the meeting, joint training activities, capacity building, and the enhancement of operational interoperability came to the fore. It was stated that a consensus was reached on strengthening bilateral military cooperation between the air forces of the two countries.
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to support the Iraqi Air Force in the fields of training, doctrine development, and institutional capacity building.
Iraqi Air Force Commander Al-Asadi, for his part, praised the professionalism and technological progress of the Pakistan Air Force. Al-Asadi also expressed their interest in benefiting from Pakistan’s internationally standardised training programmes.
JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak Came to the Fore
In its statement, ISPR emphasised that the Iraqi commander showed particular interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and the Super Mushshak training aircraft. The statement said, “The Iraqi Air Force Commander clearly expressed his strong interest in the JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak platforms.”
Bangladesh Also Interested in the JF-17
Meanwhile, ISPR recalled that the Bangladesh Air Force has also shown interest in the JF-17 Thunder platform. Earlier in the week, Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Sidhu held a meeting with Bangladesh Air Force Commander Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, who was visiting Islamabad.
During this meeting, the Bangladeshi side requested support from Pakistan regarding the modernisation of its ageing air fleet, the enhancement of air surveillance capabilities, and the integration of air defence radar systems.
According to ISPR, Bangladesh is closely interested in the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, the accelerated delivery of Super Mushshak training aircraft, and long-term technical support packages.
Defence circles consider this interest from Iraq and Bangladesh to be a significant development that strengthens the export potential of Pakistan’s defence industry.
