Pakistan to sell 52 Super Mushshak aircraft to Turkey

Agreement with Ukraine for upgrading of Al-Khalid tanks signed

KARACHI: It was a historic moment when Pakistan and Turkey signed an agreement for the sale of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.

This landmark contract was signed during IDEAS 2016 being held at the Expo Centre, Karachi, says a press release on Wednesday. Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), and Mustafa Seker, Deputy Undersecretary Turkish Ministry of Defence Industry, signed the contract.

As per the MoU, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, will provide 52 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to the Turkish Air Force for primary training of its pilots.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain and Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, along with high ranking officials of Pakistan and Turkey were also present on the occasion.

This contract would not only open new avenues for export of aviation equipment to foreign countries but also help in generating revenue for the country.

The Super Mushshak aircraft is already in service with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and South Africa. The deal further strengthens the PAC’s status as a world class aviation industry producing the supersonic JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.

Besides this, other MoUs were also signed on the occasion. In the first MoU, the PAC in collaboration with Telec Electronics and Machinery Pvt Ltd will jointly offer engine repairs and overhaul facilities to customers.

Another important MoU was signed with STI for the procurement of two Super Mushshak flight simulators. These contracts have been signed with an aim to support and promote the local aviation industry in the country.

Meanwhile, talking to the media at IDEAS 2016 in Karachi on Pakistan-Turkey agreement, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain said the deal would strengthen the ties between two brotherly countries and would result in huge foreign exchange for Pakistan, reported a private news channel.He said the aircraft had a service ceiling of 22,000 feet with maximum speed of 268km/h while the range of the aircraft was at 814 kilometres.

The minister also announced that another agreement with Ukraine for upgrading of Al-Khalid tanks was signed while Russia’s biggest department had also offered cooperation with Pakistan.