CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had said in December that Pakistan had acquired a “full squadron of 25 Chinese multi-role J-10C fighter jets to counter India’s purchase of Rafale aircraft".

Detailed explanation-2: -Pakistan had requested to buy the fighter jets as far back as 2006. The negotiations finally led to the purchase of 25 J-10C fighters.

Detailed explanation-3: -Pakistan’s purchase of the J-10 fighter from China has sparked some debate. One Pakistani senator questioned the logic of the purchase and raised investing in other defense areas, such as the JF-17, however, others have noted that the J-10 has a far wider utility for Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) strategic needs.

Detailed explanation-4: -The J-10C is a medium-weight, all-weather fighter jet developed by China. Pakistan has added Chinese-built J-10C fighter jets to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fleet to bolster the country’s combat capabilities.

Detailed explanation-5: -Senior defence officials told India Today that the aircraft was used for developing the India-specific enhancements in the Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). India signed a deal for 36 Rafale planes and 35 of these have already been delivered from France.