ISLAMABAD – Nigeria has allocated a hefty amount in its budget for thepayment of fighter jets to Aeronautical Complex (PAC).

The country’s president signed the annual budget last month in which $35million were retained for three JF-17 Thunder jets. Another $47 millionwere added to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) JF-17 program as well.

Nigeria previously allocated $14 million in 2016 for the JF-17s. Theallocated amount will be paid to PAC by 2018 end.

*Nigeria’s Combat Fleet*

The budget indicates that Nigeria is moving to fill its fleet with JF-17aircraft, which is currently dominated by the F-7NI.

Though this is not a big purchase, however, defence analyst Kaiser Tufailexpects big orders in the future as Nigeria moves towards JF-17 jets fortraining its officials.

The purpose of purchasing JF-17 in small batches is that Nigeria doesn’twant to overburden its economy. Apart from the JF-17, the country hasordered 12 Mi-35M assault Russian helicopters as well. It has alreadyreceived the first four of the total Mi035Ms from Russia.

Here are some the due payments that Nigeria is set to pay as perthe Appropriation Bill from the Budget Office of the Federal Republic ofNigeria.

Nigeria is also waiting for delivery of 10 Sierra Nevada A-29 Super Tucanoclose air support (CAS) aircraft.