Nigerian Air force (NAF) is expected to take an order of three JF-17 Thunder fighter jets after the Pakistani government provided a $184 million government guarantee to cover production.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved the $184.3 million sovereign guarantee for the production of three Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)/Chengdu JF-17 fighters.
According to the Nigeria side, the country’s president Muhammadu Buhari, his government approved the partial payment of $47 million towards three JF-17s in addition to $33 million for the existing procurement of three JF-17s in June this year.
The Nigerian acquisition of the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter jets is part of an ongoing fleet modernization programme that includes the procurement of eight Russian-made Mi-35M attack helicopters and up to 12 A-29 Super Tucano close air support aircraft from the US.
NAF has been playing an instrumental role in the fight against the ISIS-affiliated Boko Haram militants both in the country and as such the purchase will be a huge boost to the forces. Boko Haram has claimed the lives of thousands and displaced million and as such Buhari is key on equipping the forces with high-tech weaponry and military equipment.
