Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Russia looks set to provide four MI 35 state-of-the-art helicopters to Pakistan next year while over 100 agreements have been signed with various countries for super MUSHAQ aircrafts, according to the Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir Hussain during a media talk on Monday.

He said that the cost of these helicopters amounted to $153 million. There were some legal issues earlier, but now they have all been settled with Russia and the arrival of the helicopters was imminent, said Rana Tanvir. He disclosed that on top of Qatar, Turkey, Maldives and Azerbaijan were also interested in purchasing super MUSHAQ trainers aircrafts. Till now, around 100 agreements have been signed with various countries as this trainer aircraft was one of the best in world and Pakistan have made some changes in it to make it more efficient. He confirmed that JF 17 Thunder aircraft would also be available for sale in the next year as some countries had agreed to buy these aircraft from Pakistan.

“All procedures will be finalised regarding the sale of these aircraft in 2017,” Rana Tanvir said. The minister said that production of defence production institutions had been increased and POF production capacity was now $100 million, an increase of $75 million in just three years. The production capacity of the Karachi shipyard has been increased as well.