Best Friends Forever: Pakistan to Receive 110 Fighter Jets From China

Friendship between China and Pakistan continues to strengthen as Beijing promised to deliver another 50 fighter jets to its southern neighbor over the next three years, a top Chinese official said, according to the Express Tribute.

China already delivered 60 fighter jets to Pakistan since the two countries signed a contract in 2007. After the delivery of another batch of 50 combat aircrafts from China, Pakistan will have a total of 110 JF-17 Thunder  jets.Pakistan needs more fighter jets to fight effectively against Taliban militants, said India Today.

The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, single-engine combat aircraft developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).

“@FarhanKVirk: #万岁中国和巴基斯坦友好 This is the JF 17 Thunder plane! Which Pakistan and China manufactured together! pic.twitter.com/NzqSojXpOZ”

— PTI Family (@PTiRTs) April 20, 2015

China and Pakistan have long maintained close political and military relations, based mostly on mutual antipathy towards India. However, recently China has improved relations and strengthened its cooperation with India. Xi’s upcoming visit is aimed at reassuring the Pakistani government that their relations remain robust.