Pakistan & China Agree on Production 2nd batch of JF-17 Thunders

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has met with the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and discussed different issues of mutual interest.Both Prime Ministers held a 45 minute one to one meeting before beginning of formal discussions with their respective delegations for two hours at the Great Hall of the People.

Pakistani Defense Minister Ahmad Mukhtar has announced that during the discussions PM Gilani discussed Pakistan’s desire to increase production rate of the jointly developed JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Pakistan Air Force’s plans to buy Chinese J-10 Fighter jets.

Different officials including Ex- Air Chiefs of the Pakistan air force has announced their interest in the purchase of advance version of the J-10 under the name of FC-20. Pakistan air force sees the FC-20 project as an aircraft which can serve that nation as front line fighter jet alongside F-16 C/D Block 52M aircrafts.

Pakistani Defense Minister Ahmad Mukhtar has announced that China has agreed to provide second batch of the 50 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to the Pakistan air force on fast track.

Addition details about the delivery schedule and production share of Pakistan & China in the second batch of JF-17 Thunders is yet not clear.