BEIJING, China: The People’s Republic of China will deliver 50 more -17 Thunder fighter jets to Pakistan over the next three years as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
Talking to People’s Daily in Beijing, the former head of the JF-17 project at the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Li Pei said that under the contract signed between the two countries, Pakistan will receive a total 110 JF-17 Thunder aircrafts from China.
Earlier this month, the Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a two-day visit to Pakistan. His plane was escorted by JF-17 Thunder fighter jets when it entered Pakistani airspace on April 20.
The developers of the JF-17 Thunder said that they were proud that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) used the aircraft to escort President Xi Jinping on his flight to Islamabad.
“When we watched the news on TV that President Xi’s plane was escorted by eight fighter jets we made when it entered Pakistan’s airspace, we were feeling very privileged and excited,” the Chairman of Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group Cheng Fubo said.
“The aircraft’s excellent capabilities have been tested and approved by the Pakistan Air Force, and we will continue to offer our best service to the users,” Cheng Fubo said.
