Pakistan may be first buyer of China's J-10 fighter jets: expert

Report says Pakistan signed a deal for the purchase of 36 J-10 jets in 2009

A military expert revealed on Tuesday that Pakistan may be the first buyer of China's J-10 fighter jet which was initially set to be sold to Iran after the lifting of UN sanctions. 

Fu Qianshao, an aviation equipment expert with the People's Liberation Army Air Force, said that Pakistan may overtake Tehran in becoming the first overseas buyer of the multi-role aircraft, which Chinese experts claim is comparable to the latest version of the US' F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Citing Japanese website The Diplomat, the report said Pakistan had signed a deal for the purchase of 36 J-10 jets in 2009.

Read: China to deliver 50 more JF-17 Thunder jets to Pakistan

The report further stated that Pakistan, which jointly produces the J-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, had been showing interest to acquire J-10, while adding that China was wooing Iran to buy 150 J-10s.

"Once the sanctions against Iran are completely lifted, the country will definitely renovate its civilian and military aircraft fleets. The J-10 is a good option for the Iranians because it can fulfill all operations they want to conduct," said Wang Yanan, Deputy Editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge Magazine.

Yanan's remarks came in the backdrop of speculation in foreign media that China and Iran are discussing a deal for 150 J-10 fighter jets.

Read: JF-17s Thunder-ous welcome for Xi

"It is natural that Iran is interested in the J-10. Iran has a very limited range of choice in terms of arms procurement. In regard to military aircraft deals, I guess it can only choose between China and Russia," Fu said.

Fu added, "The J-10 is able to confront any of the third-generation fighter jets operated by Iran's neighbouring countries because it features supreme maneuverability, strong firepower and cutting-edge avionic equipment."

This article originally appeared on The Economic Times