After Bangladesh, Iraq also seeks JF-17 jets from Pakistan
RAWALPINDI: After Bangladesh, Iraq also seeks JF-17 jets from Pakistan as the Iraqi Air Chief has expressed keen interest in acquiring the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
The development follows recent discussions in Islamabad where Bangladesh’s Air Chief held detailed talks with Pakistan’s Air Chief on the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, reflecting growing international interest in the multi-role fighter jet.
According to the ISPR, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, during his official visit to Iraq, called on Lieutenant General Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, Commander of the Iraqi Air Force. Upon his arrival at Iraqi Air Force Headquarters, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu was accorded a guard of honour, symbolising the strong professional ties and mutual respect between the two air forces.
During the meeting, discussions focused on enhancing bilateral military cooperation, with particular emphasis on joint training programmes, capacity building, and improving operational collaboration. The military’s media wing said both sides explored avenues to strengthen interoperability through professional exchanges and future joint exercises.
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu highlighted the deep-rooted religious, cultural, and historical relations between Pakistan and Iraq. He reaffirmed the Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to supporting the Iraqi Air Force in areas of training, human resource development, and capacity enhancement.
The Iraqi Air Chief praised the Pakistan Air Force for its professionalism and technological advancements, describing PAF’s training standards as world-class. He expressed a keen interest in benefiting from PAF’s training expertise and showed strong interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets as well as the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.
Lieutenant General Radi Al-Asadi also appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional stability and acknowledged the Pakistan Air Force’s contributions toward professional excellence in the region.
The ISPR said the visit underscored the shared resolve of both air forces to further strengthen defence ties and expand professional collaboration in the coming years.
Earlier, the ISPR said that the air chiefs of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had also agreed to further enhance bilateral engagement through joint training, operational cooperation, and the exchange of professional expertise. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, during his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, called on HRH Lieutenant General Turki bin Bander bin Abdulaziz, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and General Fayiadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily, Chief of the General Staff of the Kingdom.
The Pakistan Air Chief was accorded a guard of honour by a contingent of the Royal Saudi Air Force upon his arrival. The meetings focused on bilateral defence cooperation, the evolving regional security environment, and future avenues for collaboration, the ISPR added.
