Myanmar Declares JF-17 Thunder Jets ‘Unfit for Operations’, Angers Islamabad
Myanmar Declares JF-17 Thunder Jets ‘Unfit for Operations’, Angers Islamabad
The Myanmar military junta has declared the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets supplied by Pakistan to be “unfit for operations”. The move has angered Islamabad and strained relations between the two countries.
The JF-17 Thunder is a multi-role fighter jet jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Myanmar signed a deal to purchase 16 JF-17s in 2016, and the first aircraft were delivered in 2019. However, the Myanmar Air Force has been forced to ground the jets due to a number of technical problems, including malfunctioning avionics and structural flaws.
The junta has sent a “stern message” to Pakistan demanding that the problems with the jets be fixed. Pakistan has said that it is working to address the issues, but it is unclear when the jets will be declared fit for operations.
The spat over the JF-17s is a further blow to relations between Myanmar and Pakistan. The two countries have been close allies for many years, but relations have been strained since the military junta seized power in a coup in 2021.
The junta’s decision to ground the JF-17s is a major setback for its military capabilities. The jets were seen as a key part of the junta’s plans to modernize its air force. The grounding of the jets will also make it more difficult for the junta to suppress the ongoing armed resistance to its rule.
The spat over the JF-17s is also a sign of the growing tensions between Pakistan and China. China is a major ally of the junta, and it has provided the junta with military and economic assistance. However, China is also a major investor in Myanmar, and it does not want to see the country descend into chaos. The grounding of the JF-17s is a reminder of the risks that China faces in its relationship with Myanmar.
The spat over the JF-17s has also drawn the attention of other countries in the region. India, which has a long-standing rivalry with Pakistan, has expressed concern about the problems with the jets. India is also developing its own fighter jet, the Tejas, and it is watching the situation in Myanmar closely.
The grounding of the JF-17s is a setback for Pakistan’s defense industry. The JF-17 is a major export product for Pakistan, and it has been marketed as a low-cost, but capable fighter jet. The problems with the jets in Myanmar could damage Pakistan’s reputation and make it more difficult to sell the JF-17 to other countries.
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The spat over the JF-17s is a reminder of the risks involved in arms sales. When countries sell weapons to other countries, they are essentially putting their reputation on the line. If the weapons do not perform as promised, it can damage the reputation of the seller and make it more difficult to sell weapons in the future.
The outcome of the dispute over the JF-17s in Myanmar is still uncertain. However, it is clear that the spat has damaged relations between Myanmar and Pakistan, and it has also raised concerns about the reliability of the JF-17 fighter jet.
The future of the JF-17s in Myanmar is uncertain. It is possible that the problems with the jets can be fixed, but it is also possible that the junta will cancel the deal altogether. The outcome of this dispute will have a major impact on the military balance in Southeast Asia.
