Iraqi commander praises PAF’s technological advances, seeks to take advantage of Pakistan’s training facilities
Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited Iraq on Saturday where he called on Lieutenant General Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi
Iraq has expressed interest in acquiring Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainers during a meeting between air force chiefs from both countries.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited Iraq on Saturday where he called on Lieutenant General Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, at the Iraqi Air Force Headquarters in Baghdad.
Al-Asadi praised the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF’s) professionalism and technological advancements and expressed interest in the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, which is a Pakistani-made basic trainer used for pilot training.
Read: Bangladesh in talks to buy Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets
He also showed eagerness to take advantage of Pakistan’s world-class training facilities.
The Iraqi commander appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional stability and expressed his eagerness to deepen defense cooperation between the two countries.
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu was accorded a Guard of Honor on his arrival, symbolizing the strong bond of respect between the two nations.
Discussions between the two commanders focused on strengthening bilateral military cooperation, with particular emphasis on joint training programs, capacity building initiatives and improving operational cooperation.
The Pakistani Air Chief highlighted the deep-rooted religious, cultural and historical ties between Pakistan and Iraq and reaffirmed the PAF’s commitment to support the Iraqi Air Force in training and capability development.
Both commanders agreed to conduct joint exercises and training initiatives aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two air forces. The visit underlined the joint determination of both air forces to further strengthen defense ties and enhance professional cooperation.
Read more: Pakistan and Libya sign arms deal worth several billion dollars
The JF-17 Thunder, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, has proven to be an important export success for Pakistan’s defense industry. Following reports that the PAF shot down several Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale jets, during the May 2025 conflict, international interest in Pakistan’s operational assets increased.
This resulted in the share prices of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), which manufactures the aircraft, rising by over 17%.
On 6 January, a high-level Bangladesh Air Force delegation led by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan also held talks with Sidhu covering the potential purchase of the JF-17.
In December 2025, Libya and Pakistan also reached a major multi-billion dollar conventional arms export deal, described as one of Pakistan’s largest ever arms sales, which included 16 JF-17s and 12 Super Mushshak trainers.
