Saturday, May 10, 2025
spot_img

Pak plans to buy stealth fighter aircraft from China

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

Islamabad: Pakistan plans to buy the fourth generation stealth fighter aircraft from China to boost its defence capability, according to a media report on Saturday.
The matter was being discussed with Chinese authorities, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
“It is for the first time that a senior government functionary has confirmed talks with China over purchase of the longer-range stealth aircraft — an issue that has been a subject of speculation in defence circles since the 10th edition of the Zhuhai Air Show (China) held earlier this month, when the aircraft was unveiled,” the paper reported.
The Jane’s Defence Weekly also quoted an unnamed Pakistani official as saying that the Pakistan Air Force was in talks with China to buy 30 to 40 of the Shenyang FC-31 fighters. FC-31 being developed by China primarily for the export market and reportedly several countries are interested in the aircraft believed to be comparable to US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
A prototype of the aircraft, designated as J-31, has been flown by the Chinese aircraft research and development firm Shenyang Aviation Company for a couple of years now.
What particularly interests the PAF is that FC-31 prototype (J-31) and JF-17 use the same Russian Klimov RD-93 engines. Pakistan is increasingly relying on China as a reliable source for its defence procurements.
Hussain said that Pakistan was also interested in Chinese attack helicopter Z-10.
China and Pakistan had earlier co-produced JF-17 Thunder. Pakistan has been eagerly trying to market this fighter aircraft. “We have nearly confirmed orders from seven countries for JF-17,” Hussain said.
Pakistan, which is at present producing Block-2 of JF-17 at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, is eyeing orders from countries in the Middle East and Africa.
“The PAF has a requirement of 250 aircraft, but now we have decided that we’ll sell some of the JF-17 Block-2 to international buyers besides fulfilling our local demand,” the minister said. (PTI)

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Malicious misinformation campaign: Centre shreds Pak’s tissue of lies claiming ‘destruction’ of Indian air bases

New Delhi, May 10:v The Centre on Saturday strongly rejected Pakistan's claims about the destruction of key Indian...

Pak fired high-speed missile, tried to hit health facilities, schools but was thwarted: Centre slams escalation bid

New Delhi, May 11: The Centre, in a special briefing on 'Operation Sindoor' on Saturday, called out Pakistan’s...

Pak troops moving into forward areas, Indian forces in high state of operational readiness: Govt

New Delhi, May 10: India on Saturday said that Pakistan was escalating tensions along the Western border by...

India hit 8 military bases in Pakistan, including Sialkot station: Centre

New Delhi, May 10: India responded strongly to Pakistan’s repeated drone and missile attacks and hit at least...