Pakistan Invites Sri Lankan Air Force To Evaluate JF-17 Fighter Aircraft

Pakistan has invited Sri Lanka to send an evaluation team of technicians and pilots to Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)'s Kamra facilities that produce JF-17 fighter jet.

Pakistan is eyeing to secure a deal with Sri Lanka during Pakistani prime-minister Nawaz Sharif’s scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in the first week of January.

Sharif's upcoming talks in Colombo follow a mid-November visit to Pakistan by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) commander Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinhala during which the JF-17 was showcased by the Pakistanis, Janes defense weekly reported December 29.

The SLAF - which already flies several other Chinese-made aircraft types - is currently looking to upgrade its fighter capabilities. At present these rely on the Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir.

JF-17 Thunder is jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC).