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Pak to get Chinese F-7 MG fighter planes

The Pakistan Air Force will shortly receive about 100 of the latest version of the Chinese F-7 MG light fighter aircraft in a bid to augment its air power.

The delivery of the aircraft is expected to be completed by October this year, NNI news agency today quoted highly placed officials as saying.

The sources said that Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Pervez Mehdi Qureshi, who is on a visit to China, has expressed satisfaction over the quality of the aircraft after flying one of them.

The planes are ready for delivery at the Chengdu aircraft industry.

According to the NNI report, by the end of this month, Pakistan is also expected to receive from France eight of the 40 upgraded Mirage aircraft equipped with the latest avionics. The PAF has already received one instalment of eight mirages, and delivery of the remaining aircraft would be completed by this year end.

Pakistan already has a fleet of upgraded Mirages, F-16s and the light Chinese fighter F-7. The joining of the F-7 MG and Mirages would increase the country's air power.

Pakistan's bid to secure the light version of Mirage 2000-5 from France was unsuccessful due to pressure on France from the United States.

Pakistan is now taking a keen interest in the European Union's Euro-Fighter which is emerging as one of the best high-tech jets in the world.

UNI

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