Nigeria to Buy 3 JF-17 Fighter Jets from Pakistan

Nigeria has allocated a hefty amount in its budget for the payment of fighter jets to Aeronautical Complex (PAC).

The country’s president signed the annual budget last month in which $35 million were retained for three JF-17 Thunder jets. Another $47 million were added to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) JF-17 program as well.

Nigeria previously allocated $14 million in 2016 for the JF-17s. The allocated amount will be paid to PAC by 2018 end.

Nigeria’s Combat Fleet

The budget indicates that Nigeria is moving to fill its fleet with JF-17 aircraft, which is currently dominated by the F-7NI.

Though this is not a big purchase, however, defence analyst Kaiser Tufail expects big orders in the future as Nigeria moves towards JF-17 jets for training its officials.

---

ALSO READ

China to Equip Pakistan’s JF-17 Fighter Jets With the World’s Most Advanced Radar

---

The purpose of purchasing JF-17 in small batches is that Nigeria doesn’t want to overburden its economy. Apart from the JF-17, the country has ordered 12 Mi-35M assault Russian helicopters as well. It has already received the first four of the total Mi035Ms from Russia.

Here are some the due payments that Nigeria is set to pay as per the Appropriation Bill from the Budget Office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nigeria is also waiting for delivery of 10 Sierra Nevada A-29 Super Tucano close air support (CAS) aircraft.

Via Quwa