PTI
Beijing, October 09, 2018 22:06 IST
Updated: October 09, 2018 22:06 IST
A model of the Wing Loong II on display. | Photo Credit:
AP
It is roughly equivalent to the American MQ-9 Reaper drone
48 Chinese high-end armed drones to its “all-weather ally”
Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media here reported on Tuesday.
The cost of the major defence deal was not revealed.
Wing Loong II is a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role endurance unmanned aerial system, capable of being fitted with air-to-surface weapons.
It is roughly equivalent to the American MQ-9 Reaper drone.
The drones will also be jointly manufactured by China and Pakistan, state-run
Global Times reported.
Last year, American MQ-9 Reaper drone reportedly sold to countries like the UAE and Egypt, reports said.
Largest supplier
China is the largest supplier of weapon system to the Pakistan Army. Both countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft.
The Trump administration has agreed to sell sell 22 Sea Guardian drones to Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Pakistan is reported to have received 10 advanced drones from Russian Federation as well.
The deal for the acquisition of the drones manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company was announced by Pakistan Air Force’s Sherdils Aerobatic Team on its official Facebook account on Sunday, the
Global Times report reported without giving out details.
The Air Force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones, the report said.