Article

2011-05-19 India-Pakistan

China to Speed Up Fighter Jets for Pakistan

China has agreed to provide 50 more JF-17 fighter jets to Pakistan on an "expedited" basis, a spokesman for the Pakistani air force said, one of the most concrete illustrations yet of how China could fill the vacuum if the U.S. scales down its aid to Pakistan following the raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The agreement to accelerate supply of the jointly developed jets, the first 50 of which are being assembled in Pakistan, came as Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani held talks in Beijing during a visit that he has used to portray China as an alternative source of military and civilian aid.

The air-force spokesman, a high-ranking officer who declined to be identified by name, said the deal had been reached during Mr. Gilani's four-day visit to China, which concludes Friday following a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

"We're getting the 50 jets, on top of the ones we already have. Something has been agreed in Beijing, so they'll be expedited," he said, declining to give further details.

Posted by tipper 2011-05-19 14:22|| || Front Page|| [11126 views ] Top

#1 The begging bowl is moving from Washington to Beijing!

Posted by Paul D 2011-05-19 14:31|| 2011-05-19 14:31|| Front Page Top

#2 We're taken out of the loop. Instead of the US borrowing money from China to give to the Paks, they can go direct. Works for me.

Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2011-05-19 14:51|| 2011-05-19 14:51|| Front Page Top

#3 That expedited fifty -- how expectedly will they fall out of the sky? American military material costs more and arrives less quickly, but won't lose bits on the runway.

Posted by trailing wife 2011-05-19 15:00|| 2011-05-19 15:00|| Front Page Top

#4 'Speed up'= more crashes? :)

After dealing with Chinese suppliers of manufactured goods, I can say I would never, ever fly in a chinese-designed, and Paki-built aircraft. It will crash so much, it will be called the 'Shaheed 1'.

Posted by Rovian Disciple 2011-05-19 16:36|| 2011-05-19 16:36|| Front Page Top

#5 @ trailing wife, don't underestimate. Put it this way, most computer hardware is built in Asia, whilst software developed in the USA. Why does my computer crash but not blow up.

I do agree, but...

Posted by devilstoenail 2011-05-19 18:23|| 2011-05-19 18:23|| Front Page Top

#6 No pressure!

Posted by Butch Pherenter1486 2011-05-19 21:40|| 2011-05-19 21:40|| Front Page Top

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