Qatar has expressed interest to buy JF-17 fighter jets, Super Mushshak trainers from Pakistan.
Qatari Defence Minister called on Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and expressed interest in buying Mushshak and JF-17 Thunder aircraft to strengthen bilateral defence ties, Tribune reported Thursday.
“We are desirous of buying Super Mushshak and JF-17 Thunder aircraft from Pakistan and also want to set up military cooperation and production of equipment in Qatar with the assistance of Pakistan and Turkey,” a PM House statement quoted Dr Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah as saying.
Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan, Qatar and Turkey can set up joint ventures for undertaking defence related manufacturing of military equipment. “Our relationship with Qatar means a lot to us and you can count on Pakistan as your closest ally and brotherly state.”
“The trade volume between Qatar and Pakistan will multiply, especially after the import of LNG from Qatar,” Sarif added.
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Qatar Emiri Air Force had signed an agreement for supply of Super Mushshak Aircraft in June this year.
In February, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) made a goodwill visit to Qatar with two Super Mushshak trainers and two JF-17 multi-role fighters.
Pakistan recently signed a contract to sell 12 Mushshak trainers to Nigeria. It is also likely to sell JF-17 fighters to Nigeria during the IDEAS show in Karachi in November. Nigeria has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pakistan to purchase the Pakistani-Chinese PAC/CAC JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter in September this year.
