Pak to get 37 trainer-cum-fighter jets from Turkey for free

Islamabad: Pakistan will get 34 trainer-cum- fighter aircraft from Turkey free of cost under a major defence deal inked between the two countries, the Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday.

On Pakistan's desire of acquiring the aircraft, Turkey decided to provide 34 T-37, a jet trainer and light attack aircraft and its spare parts, without charging a single penny, the ministry said in a statement.

The agreement was reached during the meeting of Pakistan-Turkey High Level Military Dialogue Group which concluded in Ankara, The Express Tribune reported.

Director General Defence Procurement Maj Gen Naveed Ahmed and Chief of Logistics Turkey Maj Gen Serdar Gulbas signed the agreement, while a Joint Communique was signed by Secretary Defence Lieutenant General (Retd) Muhammad Alam Khattak and Deputy Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen Yasar Guler.

During the visit, Khattak highlighted Pakistan's defence capability and military capacity and requirements keeping in view the current global perspective.

Highlighting the exemplary brotherly relations between the countries, the secretary said, "Pakistan desires to further translate these relations into strategic cooperation, signifying strategic importance of our relations."

The agreement is reached at a time when Turkey is believed to be seeking Pakistan's increased security and defence cooperation to deal with the emerging threat posed by Islamic State terrorist group as well as Kurdish rebels, the paper reported.