On May 20, 2021, at Makurdi Air Base in Nigeria, an official ceremony was held for the entry into the Nigerian Air Force of three Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder Block II fighters assembled by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (RAS). The ceremony marking the 57th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force was attended by Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari.
One of the three JF-17 Thunder Block II fighters received by the Nigerian Air Force (Nigerian tail number NAF722, serial number 2P62) produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (RAS). Makurdi (Nigeria), 20.05.2021 (c) Nigerian Air Force
This is the first delivery of Pakistani-made JF-17 Thunder aircraft for export. In October 2016, Nigeria signed a contract with Pakistan for the purchase of three JF-17 Block II aircraft, becoming the second foreign customer of JF-17 fighters after Myanmar. Since 2018, Myanmar has received, according to the latest data, 19 JF-17 Block II aircraft (including three two-seat JF-17B), but for political reasons, the aircraft for Myanmar were assembled by the main developer of this aircraft - the Chinese aircraft manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Industries Company (Group) (CAC) in Chengdu.
The three fighters ordered by Nigeria were manufactured by the Pakistan-based RAS enterprise in Camra in 2019 (serial numbers 2P60, 2P61 and 2P62, Nigerian tail numbers NAF720 to NAF722, respectively), but were then used for a long time in Camra for training Nigerian personnel. All three JF-17s were delivered to Nigeria at Makurdi Air Base from Pakistan on three flights of a Pakistani IL-78MP tanker aircraft from March 21 to April 29, 2021.
At the ceremony on May 20, it was announced that the JF-17 aircraft received by Nigeria are equipped with the Aselpod suspended container target designation system manufactured by the Turkish company Aselsan.
The Nigerian Air Force has announced plans for additional purchases of JF-17 aircraft (extending to 24 or even 36 machines), but there is no data on the conclusion of further contracts for their purchase.
All JF-17 (FC-1) aircraft built in both China and Pakistan are normally equipped with Russian RD-93 engines.
One of the three JF-17 Thunder Block II fighters received by the Nigerian Air Force (Nigerian tail number NAF722, serial number 2P62) produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (RAS). Makurdi (Nigeria), 20.05.2021 (c) Pakistan Air Force
