Iraq eyes JF-17 fighter jets as Pakistani air chief visits Baghdad

Iraq has expressed interest in acquiring Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircrafts during a meeting between the air force commanders of both countries.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited Iraq on Saturday, where he called on Lieutenant General Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, at the Iraqi Air Force Headquarters in Baghdad.

Al- Asadi praised the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF’s) professionalism and technological advancement, expressing interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, which is a Pakistani-made basic trainer used for pilot training.

He also showed eagerness to benefit from Pakistan's world-class training facilities.

The Iraqi commander appreciated Pakistan's role in promoting regional stability and expressed his eagerness to deepen defence cooperation between the two countries.

Read: Bangladesh in talks to buy Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets

Air Chief Marshal Sidhu was accorded a Guard of Honour upon his arrival, symbolising the strong bond of respect between the two nations.

Discussions between the two commanders focused on enhancing bilateral military cooperation, with particular emphasis on joint training programmes, capacity building initiatives, and improving operational cooperation.

The Pakistani air chief highlighted the deep-rooted religious, cultural, and historical ties between Pakistan and Iraq, reaffirming PAF's commitment to support the Iraqi Air Force in training and capacity development.

Both commanders agreed to pursue joint exercises and training initiatives aimed at strengthening interoperability between the two air forces. The visit underscored the shared resolve of both air forces to further strengthen defence ties and enhance professional collaboration.

Read More: Pakistan, Libya clinch multi-billion dollar arms deal

The JF-17 Thunder, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, has emerged as a key export success for Pakistan's defence industry. After reports that the PAF shot down multiple Indian combat aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets, during the May 2025 conflict, international interest in Pakistan's operational assets surged.

This resulted in share prices of China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), which manufactures the aircraft, surging by over 17%.

On January 6, a high-level Bangladesh Air Force delegation, led by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, also held talks with Sidhu, covering the potential procurement of the JF-17.

In December 2025, Libya and Pakistan also reached a major multi-billion-dollar conventional arms export deal, described as one of Pakistan's largest-ever weapons sales, which included 16 JF-17's and 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircrafts.