Boosting Defences: Iraq in Talks for Pakistani Fighter Jets

A high-level Iraqi delegation, led by Lieutenant General Ahmed Dawood Salman, held a meeting with Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) headquarters in Islamabad on 20 August.

"The meeting underscored several key areas of mutual interest with a special focus on bilateral training and the exploration of expanded collaboration between both countries, specially in the aviation sector," the PAF statement reads.

Speaking of the cooperative development, retired Squadron Leader of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and international analyst, Fahad Masood, told Sputnik India that the meeting, which has been on the cards for a while, symbolizes the serious intentions of both sides and can lead to decisive moves.

"There have been ongoing discussions and lower level meetings between the two governments for sometime now. Iraqi officials have visited Pakistan and Pakistani officials have gone to Iraq multiple times to discuss the purchase of the jets. The delegations also met on the sidelines of the Dubai Air Show. So now if such a high-level Iraqi delegation has paid a visit to Pakistan's Air Force headquarters, it means something concrete is definitely about to happen," the squadron leader stated.

He further stated that the Iraqi officials are primarily interested in enhancements regarding the JF-17 jets. Initially, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) operated the JF-17 Thunder Block I and II models; however, the air force has recently upgraded the jets to Block III, resulting in significant improvements across various aspects of the aircraft.

"The JF-17 Thunder block III has enhanced avionics, radars, missile technology, and DVR technology. Moreover, these jets have Helmet-Mounted Display, or HMD, which is a see-through display that is projected directly onto the inside of a pilot's helmet visor. The jets are also integrated with dual ejection racks. So there are a lot of enhancements and that is why the Iraqis have opted for block III and they waited for a long time for this block to come out," Masood pointed out.

The JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft is jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corp. It has a Chinese airframe and Western avionics and is powered by a Russian engine.

Although the exact number remains unknown, reports suggest that with at least 130 aircraft in service, the JF-17 serves as the PAF’s backbone.

These planes have been flight tested within the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Thunder JF-17 jets were sold to Nigeria and Myanmar earlier. Azerbaijan is also eying the purchase of the JF-17.

Meanwhile, the negotiations between Iraq and Pakistan also encompass the Super Mushshak propeller trainer aircraft.

Masood highlighted that these aircraft feature advanced glass cockpits, making them high-tech and top-of-the-line. They are lightweight and robust, designed as two- or three-seater single-engine aircraft equipped with fixed, non-retractable tricycle landing gear.

"The Mushshak trainers have been on the market for a while, Pakistan has made sales to the GCC countries, and also to Zimbabwe in May. Now Iraq seems to be interested in integrating both the Thunder jets and Mushshak trainer aircraft in its initial training program and in its lead-in fighter training (LIFT) to provide efficient training in combat scenarios, with reduced training costs," Masood said.

In 2023, the Iraqi Air Force received its first batch of Mushshak aircraft from Pakistan. Following the successful integration of these jets, the Iraqi Air Force has chosen to acquire a second batch.

"So far it remains unclear how many of these jets Iraq wants to purchase. When that number is revealed, it will become clearer as to how long it will take Pakistan to supply these jets to the Iraqi Air Force. For now we just have to wait and see," the retired squadron leader added.

After considering the Iraqi Air Force's decision to acquire these aircraft, Masood concluded that it is a "valid choice," as both have been upgraded and are top-of-the-line military training and air power employement platforms.