Myanmar in Advanced Negotiations to Licence-Build JF-17 Fighter
Myanmar in Advanced Negotiations to Licence-Build JF-17 Fighter 02 Februari 2017 JF-17 Thunder (photo : The life pile) After deciding to purchase 16 JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft in 2015, Myanmar is now in advanced negotiations with Pakistan to also licence-build the third-generation fighter, defence industry sources in Yangon and sources close to the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) told Jane"s in mid-January. If an agreement is reached, Myanmar"s bid to manufacture the single-engine combat aircraft - co-developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China"s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) - could mark a significant step forward in the country"s efforts to expand its local defence industry. As the MAF phases out its obsolete fleet of F-7M Airguard and A-5C "Fantan" combat aircraft purchased from China in the 1990s, licensed production of the JF-17 Thunder would also mean that the aircraft will likely become the MAF"s workhorse over th...