Pakistan and Iraq have strengthened their defense cooperation by signing a significant agreement in Baghdad. This accord, aimed at boosting defense ties, involves Pakistan supplying twelve MFI-Mushaq trainer aircraft and twelve JF-Thunder Block III fighter jets to the Iraqi Air Force.
According to reliable sources within the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the $1.8 billion deal was finalized during discussions between Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar and his Iraqi counterpart at the Ministry of Defense in Baghdad. Lieutenant General Ahmed Dawood, Secretary General of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, and Lieutenant General Shahab Jahid Ali represented Iraq in these talks. Both parties engaged in detailed discussions to settle the terms of the agreement.
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This is the second occasion of Pakistan providing Mushaq Trainer aircraft to Iraq. After the successful induction of twelve Mushaq aircraft into the Iraqi forces in 2023, the Iraqi Defense Ministry expressed interest in acquiring more from the PAF.
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In addition to the twelve Mushaq trainer aircraft, Pakistan will supply twelve JF-Thunder Block III fighter jets to Iraq. These aircraft are currently undergoing technical evaluations to ensure they meet Iraqi requirements.
Iraq will join Nigeria, Myanmar, and Azerbaijan as recipients of the JF-Thunder aircraft, underscoring Pakistan’s rising prominence in the global defense market.
During discussions in Baghdad, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar briefed Iraqi defense officials extensively on the technical specifications and performance capabilities of the JF-Thunder aircraft. Iraqi officials are expected to visit Pakistan soon to personally inspect the manufacturing processes of these aircraft at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra.
