China Continues to Arm Pakistan Against India; Hands Over Advanced Jet Trainers To Islamabad / China Hands Over Jet Trainers To Pakistan Islamabad

China Continues to Arm Pakistan Against India; Hands Over Advanced Jet Trainers To Islamabad / China Hands Over Jet Trainers To Pakistan Islamabad (NSI News Source Info) January 18, 2009: China today handed over to Pakistan eight advanced jet trainers that will be used to train pilots for transition to fourth generation combat aircraft.

The eight Karakoram K-8P jets were handed over at a ceremony at a PAF base that was attended by the Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) and a Chinese delegation, said an official statement.

The JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft and K-8P trainer jets have been jointly developed by Pakistan and China, which have close defence ties. The K-8P is an advanced trainer that is already being used at the PAF Academy in Risalpur to train fighter pilots.

The statement said the K-8P jets had enhanced the basic training of PAF pilots and provided a "potent platform for their smooth transition to more challenging fourth generation fighter aircraft".