ISLAMABAD Pakistan is to buy an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) from China to boost its air defences, Reuters quoted a local newspaper as saying on Thursday.
 
The News newspaper said a $278-million agreement had been struck for Pakistan to get the Chinese system within four years, on a deferred payment basis.

Pakistani defence procurement officials were not immediately available for comment.

Pakistan would be the first country to buy the Chinese AWACS system which China only started producing in 2004, the report said.

Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with China in November 2006 for long-term collaboration in defence production including development of an airborne early warning surveillance system.