China to sell 48 high-end military drones ‘Wing Loong II’ to Pakistan

China will sell at least 48 high-end military drones ‘Wing Loong II’ to its close ally Pakistan. Notably, Wing Loong II is a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system, is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company.

The Global Times on Monday reported that China will sell 48 high-end military drones to its “all-weather ally” Pakistan. “It did not reveal the cost of the deal, when it was struck or when the Wing Loong IIs will be delivered,” it said.

“The deal for the acquisition of Chinese drones was announced by Pakistan Air Force’s Sherdils Aerobatic Team on its official Facebook account on Sunday,” the Global Times report said.

“The air force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones,” the report added.

However, Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group did not confirm when the deal was reached. Wing Loong II made its maiden flight in February last year.

The announcement by China to permit the sale of high-end military drones comes immediately after India moved to acquire S-400 sophisticated missile defence systems from Russia. The deal was clinched during last week’s visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi.

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