Nigeria Air Force JF-17s nearing completion

[Test7]

At last the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 block II Thunders for Nigeria are nearing completion. After producing the 2019 run of domestic JF-17 block II fighters for the پاک فضائیہ (PAKISTAN FIZA'YA, Pakistan Air Force), Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra diverted the last three of that line for the Nigeria deal.

The JF-17 Thunders were visible, still in primer, on a documentary aired bij Hums News on Pakistan Defence Day (6 September 2020), as NAF-720, NAF-721 and NAF-722. As far as we know, these should be production numbers 2P-60, 2P-61 and 2P-62.

Nigeria’s proposed 2018 budget confirms that the African nation will obtain the Chengdu PAC JF-17 fighter aircraft. The budget allocation document indicates that USD 36 million (N13.1 billion) is earmarked as partial payment for the three aircraft. The payment will also cover support equipment and spares.


This makes Nigeria the first buyer of the type to be officially named, although programme officials have long said there is strong interest for the type from various countries. The JF-17s are due to arrive in Nigeria in November 2020.

In addition to the budget allocated to the three fighter aircraft, it also shows funds for the acquisition of two leonardo AW109 helicopters, as well as depot maintenance for two Dassault Alpha Jets and a Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules.