By Usman Ansari
ISLAMABAD — Analysts say confirmation of the first JF-17 Thunder export order could encourage other potential buyers to step forward, but they acknowledge many factors could complicate a deal.
Analyst and former Air Force pilot Air Commodore Kaiser Tufail is optimistic that JF-17 will now attract further customers.
"I am sure that after the deal that has been signed with the hitherto unknown 'Asian' country, the aircraft sales will surely get a big boost, and many Asian and African countries might be interested in it," he said.
The customer in question is believed to be Myanmar, and the head of the country's Air Force, Gen. Khin Aung Myint, was in Pakistan at the end of May for a four-day visit at the invitation of the Pakistan Air Force. He met senior defense officials and toured various bases and installations, though little more was said about the trip at the time.
Details, such as cost and the number of aircraft involved, are not known, but deliveries are expected to commence in 2017, according to information made available by Air Commodore Khalid Mahmood, head of the Air Force's sales and marketing effort for the aircraft type.
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