Pak, China fighters deal comes Russian shadow

ISLAMABAD—China has appealed to Russia to include Pakistan in the list of countries with which Moscow has military-technological trade partnerships.
“Otherwise, China can not fulfill its contract for the delivery to Pakistan of FC-1 fighter planes with Russian engines. If Russia refuses, it could complicate trade relations with China, which bring in $2bn annually,” official sources said Saturday.
Agreement, however, could threaten Russia’s ties with India, which are worth more than $1.5bn per year. This week an official Chinese delegation will arrive in Moscow for negotiations. According to information obtained by Kommersant, the Chinese representatives will insist that Pakistan be included in the list of countries with which Russia has agreed to conduct military-technological trade.
Otherwise, Beijing will have to default on its contract to deliver FC-1 fighter jets to Pakistan. According to the existing contract with Beijing, Russia has agreed to outfit Chinese fighter jets with Russian engines.
Unfortunately for Beijing, however, according to an addendum to the contract, China does not have the right to re-export planes with Russian engines to a third country.
The FC-1 (also known as the Super-7) the first Chinese multi-function fighter jet, is oriented towards the international market.
Chengdu Aircraft Industry began the development of the plane in the early 1990s. Around 50% of the costs ($75mn) were carried by Pakistan.
China’s National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp, Pakistan’s Aviation Integrated Company, Israel’s IAI, and Russia’s OKB-Mikoy an Engineering Centre all took part in the project.
The FC-1 made its first flight in August 2003. China signed an agreement with Pakistan to deliver 150 FC-1 jets under the name JF-17 Thunder. But it was impossible to get the Russian engines for them. Pakistan is not included in the list of countries with whom Russia has military-technological trade.—SANA