Iraq has agreed to pay $664 million to Pakistan for 12 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, the most recent model of the JF-17. Iraq has become the fifth country to purchase JF-17s from Pakistan, joining Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, and Myanmar. Pakistan and China collaborated to develop the JF-17 multi-role fighter jet.
The Iraqi government has also approved the expenditure for the purchase of the jets, which are expected to arrive within the next two years. The fighter jets will strengthen the Iraqi Air Force’s ability to counter threats and drones.
The agreement is Iraq and Pakistan’s largest defense agreement in nearly 40 years. Iraqi Defense Minister Jumaa Inad confirmed in a conversation that a contract with a Pakistani company had been signed and that negotiations for the sale of jets had been ongoing for more than two years.
The agreement highlights the two countries’ growing cooperation.
