ISLAMABAD - Pakistani officials have confirmed that they have completed negotiations for a defence deal worth 664 million USD with Argentina for the sale of twelve JF-17 block III, fighter jets, manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra. “Negotiations for the deal are completed and the final agreement is expected to be signed within this year”, a top Pakistani official who wished not to be named told The Nation yesterday. The signing of the defence deal would be made public and would not be kept secret, the official said.

He also said the first batch of three fighter jets JF-17 Thunder block three would be provided to Argentina by next year, however, it depends upon the completion of the production process. The official admitted and confirmed that UK defence officials during their visit to Pakistan put pressure on Pakistan not to sell the fighter jets to Argentina and cancel the deal.

“The British defence officials were of the view that they had fought war with Argentina over Falkland in 1982 and, therefore, considered it as its adversary,” the official remarked.

However, Pakistan made it clear that it enjoys close ties with Britain, however, it would go ahead with the deal as currently there is no conflict between Britain and Argentina. The official said this is one of the biggest defence deals which Pakistan has ever done for the sale of its fighter jets manufactured in collaboration with China.

Argentina is the second country which is buying these aircrafts from Pakistan. Earlier, Nigeria has purchased three JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan. The official said a similar deal is being negotiated with Myanmar which is interested in buying JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets. The JF-17 Thunder Block III production began this year at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.

“This fighter jet is more advanced in operations than the previous model and is in high demand by a number of countries”, a former Pakistan Airforce official told The Nation.

Another top source confided to The Nation that it was British intelligence MI6 which had sent a security alert to NZ Prime Minister with the approval of the 10 Downing, that there could be a terrorist attack of their team in Pakistan. The NZ Prime Minister passed on the information to NZC who shared this information to PCB.

Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke to his NZ counterpart on the matter but NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern insisted that their decision to recall their cricket team was final.