The SLAF has decided to buy seven aircraft to strengthen its fleet.

An earlier decision to buy from the US has been changed due to the cost factor.

Developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, the JF-17 is cheaper, and if the AF goes ahead with its new decision, Sri Lanka will be the first buyer of these fighters.

It is a variant of the Chinese FC1-Xiaolong Fierce Dragon, and is deployed for aerial reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception.

Pakistan has earlier said that the AF ordered craft could be delivered by 2017.

However, India wants the AF to buy from Russia.

Video below shows a JF-17 in flight: