By Franz-Stefan Gady
The mystery continues: one media source claims that the JF-17 has been sold, another denies it.
According to Pakistani media reports quoted in Want China Times, Sri Lanka has decided to acquire the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex/Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft. This would make it the first international customer of the fighter jet.
Sri Lanka plans to acquire 18 to 24 planes with the first deliveries beginning in 2017, Pakistan-based 92NewsHD reports. The article additionally notes that first rumors about a possible sale occurred earlier this month when a photo of the office of a Sri Lankan air force commander revealed a scale model of the JF-17.
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) already operates some Chinese-made aircraft, including seven Chengdu F-7 (license-built MIG-21), nine Harbin Y-12 turboprop military transport, plus one Chengdu F-7 and five Hongdu JL-8 jet trainers. Additionally, the SLAF has ordered two Xian MA 60 transport planes from China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation.
However, as soon as the story broke in the Pakistani media, Sri Lankan officials adamantly denied that a weapons deal with Islamabad has been signed. Sri Lankan Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Gihan Senevirathne, as quoted by the Daily Mirror, emphasized that “although both Pakistan and China have indicated the availability of the fighter jet and proposals have been submitted on the availability of the aircraft, SLA has not made any decision on purchasing them.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat