Pakistan-Chinese JF-17 Fighter Aircraft Wins Customer at Dubai Air Show?

The China-Pakistan JF-17 fighter aircraft is believed to have won a customer at the Dubai Air Show, Chinese and Pakistani media reported.

“Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) closed the deal with an unidentified buyer at the (Dubai) air show,” the Dawn newspaper said, quoting China Daily which in turn cited an AVIC statement.

The reports did not say did not say when the contract was signed and the name of the customer. Besides, no statement concerning a JF-17 sale was seen on the AVIC website.

Earlier, during the Paris Air Show where the JF-17 made its international air show debut, PAC officials had claimed to have signed on an Asian customer but did not name it.

Speculation was rife that the customer was Sri Lanka or Myanmar. While the former denied it had bought the JF-17, Myanmar has made no comments.

Liu Yu, Vice President of China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation had told journalists at the Dubai Air Show on Monday that the JF-17 would be upgraded with  advanced capabilities such as air-to-air refuelling, data link, electronic warfare and integrated with more guided weapons. There was no indication of a new customer then.