In early autumn 2021, information appeared about Iraqi interest in JF-17 Thunder fighters. Nearly two years later, the Arabian Peninsula country is closer to buying aircraft.
What is known
Iraq considered buying French Rafale aircraft. However, now everything is moving towards the fact that a contract will be signed with Pakistan for the purchase of JF-17C Thunder fighters of the Block III level.
Baghdad is ready to invest at least $1.1 billion in the purchase of Chinese-Pakistani aircraft. The deal will include 12 fighter-bombers with an option for another six units, ammunition, spare parts and related equipment.
JF-17 Thunder is the fourth generation aircraft. It is also known as Chengdu FC-1 Xiaolong. The fighter made its first flight in 2003, and four years later it was put into service. It is manufactured by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.
The JF-17C Block III version received a new avionics complex and a radar station with active electronic scanning. In 2019, she took to the skies for the first time. The power plant is represented by a Russian-made RD-93 engine. The maximum flight speed is 1910 km / h (M = 1.6).
Source: opex360
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2023-07-11 13:51:04
