Iraq approves contract for purchase of fighter jets from Pakistan

The Indian media revealed that Iraq had agreed to a deal with Pakistan to purchase 12 JF-17 Block-III fighters worth $664 million.

According to Spokesman of the Iraqi Armed Forces Commander General Yahya Rasoul, “This transaction is one of a series of purchases of sophisticated weapons from multiple countries.”

If the transaction is completed, Iraq will be the fifth State to buy JF-17 after Myanmar, Nigeria, Malaysia and Azerbaijan.

The fighter jet is manufactured by Pakistan Aviation Industry Complex, where about 58% of the parts are manufactured, while the remaining 42% are manufactured from China.

The aircraft is equipped with China’s “AESA” radar, a wide display screen, an infrared target search and tracking system and rocket warning systems.

The fighter is capable of launching various Chinese long-range air-to-air missiles; Like PL-12 and PL-15. JF-17 Block-III is the upgraded version of this fighter around which the deal revolves.

The aircraft features a Russian jet engine RD-93MA, a modified version of India’s MiG-29 RD-33 jet engine for more than ten years.