ISLAMABAD: President Sadyr Zhaparov of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday inspectedthe JF-17 Block-III multirole fighter aircraft during a high-profile visitto the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP), fuellingspeculation that Bishkek may soon become the latest export customer forPakistan’s flagship combat jet.
The inspection took place on the second day of President Zhaparov’s maidenstate visit to Pakistan, the first by a Kyrgyz head of state in twodecades. Accompanied by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior Pakistanimilitary officials, the Kyrgyz leader was briefed on the aircraft’sadvanced avionics, active electronically scanned array radar,beyond-visual-range missile capability and overall combat performance.
President Zhaparov spent considerable time in the cockpit of the JF-17Block-III and received detailed explanations about its manoeuvrability,weapon systems and electronic warfare suite. Sources present at NASTPdescribed the Kyrgyz president as visibly impressed by the platform, whichis jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’sChengdu Aircraft Corporation.
The visit to NASTP formed part of broader defence and technologycooperation talks between the two nations. Pakistan has offeredcomprehensive training packages for Kyrgyz pilots and technical personnelshould Bishkek decide to acquire the aircraft. Kyrgyzstan currentlyoperates a modest air force primarily equipped with helicopters andtransport aircraft, making any procurement of fixed-wing combat jets asignificant modernisation step.
Earlier on Tuesday, President Zhaparov was accorded a warm welcome uponarrival in Islamabad, followed by one-on-one and delegation-level talkswith Prime Minister Sharif. The discussions covered trade, energy,connectivity and security cooperation. Fifteen memoranda of understandingwere signed on Wednesday, covering sectors ranging from agriculture andminerals to information technology and defence production.
Analysts view the JF-17 showcase as a deliberate signal of deepeningstrategic ties between Pakistan and Central Asia. Successful export of theBlock-III variant to Kyrgyzstan would mark another milestone for thePakistan Aeronautical Complex, which has previously delivered the aircraftto Nigeria, Myanmar and Azerbaijan.
Both sides described the visit as highly productive, with PresidentZhaparov extending an invitation to Prime Minister Sharif to visitKyrgyzstan next year. The Kyrgyz leader departed for Bishkek on Wednesdayevening after concluding his packed schedule.
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Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1882547
Source:https://en.inform.kz/news/kyrgyz-president-visits-pakistans-aerospace-park-0b6b75/
Tags: Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, JF-17, NASTP, Sadyr Zhaparov, DefenceCooperation
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