PNS,
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan is acquiring state of art high-tech front role most sophisticated JAS-Gripen plans for Pakistan Air Force (PAF) from Sweden.
These plans on their induction in the PAF would help in restoring balance in air defence of South Asian skies especially between Pakistan and India. The Gripens are far superior then Mig-27, Mig-29, Mig-31 and Mairage-2000, the front role Indian fighter plans. Well placed defence sources told The News here on Monday that President General Pervez Musharraf is visiting three important Scandinavian countries next month including Sweden and it is expected that the deal for purchase of the Gripen would also come up for discussion.
The President will visit to Denmark and Norway in the same trip. The sources said that Pakistan is going for JAS-39 version of Gripen plans, considered to be far more effective than US made F-16, the only front role state of art plans the PAF is relying and the mainstay of the Pakistan Air Force for any eventuality. The overhauling and maintenance technology will also be transferred to Pakistan of Gripens by Sweden once the deal is struck, the sources said.
The sources said that South Africa is the first country that acquired Gripens after the Swedish Air Force. South Africa was provided the first batch of the plans in 2000 and since then the plans are demonstrating remarkable performance.
Hungry and Check Republic have also purchased the JAS Gripen, the sources said. Pakistan has planned to buy 40 JAS-39 Gripens with most modern radars would be fitted in them. These plans will be capable to strike deep into the enemy
