ISLAMABAD, July 31: Pakistan on Thursday will formally hand over five newly-built Super Mashak aircraft to Oman at a ceremony to be held at the Pakistan Aircraft Factory.

The handing over of the fleet of Mashak is a part of the deal earlier finalized between Pakistan and Oman for supply of these multi-purpose propeller aircraft to Oman.

Secretary of Defence Production Division Air Marshal Zahid Anis would be the chief guest while high officials from Oman will be present to formally take over the charge of the indigenously-developed aircraft.

With this, Pakistan would join a select group of countries which export aircraft including, USA, UK, France, Russian Federation and China.

The finalization of the deal will not only introduce Pakistan as an exporting country of the military aircraft but also help boost the confidence of the foreign buyers on Pakistan-made items especially in defence production sector. This light, robust single-engined trainer aircraft can accommodate two to three persons.

It also meets the requirement of modern primary flight training syllabus including exercises like, basic flight training, instrument flying, aerobatics, night flying, navigation flying and formation flying.

The Super Mashak is suited for a wide range of army cooperation missions based on forward air control, forward area support, reconnaissance, camouflage inspections and can also target flying and target towing for training of ground units.

A sizable fleet of the earlier version of this aircraft is in use of both Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army and providing successful services in different fields of operations.—APP