Pakistan is emerging as a major arms supplier to developing countries in Asia and Africa. Azerbaijan, Myanmar, Nigeria and Sudan have all made significant arms purchases from Pakistan in recent years. Azerbaijan expanded its order for JF-17 Thunder Block III multi-role fighter jets from Pakistan from 16 to 40 aircraft. The recent order extends a 2024 contract worth $1.6 billion to modernize Baku’s airborne combat fleet to $4.6 billion. This makes Azerbaijan the largest export customer of the Pakistan-made warplane. Bangladesh is negotiating purchase of up to 32 JF-17 Thunder Block III aircraft from Pakistan.
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| Pakistan PFX Concept Fighter. Source: Raksha Anirveda |
In Africa, Pakistan has recently signed a $1.5 billion contract to supply combat drones and military trainer aircraft. The order includes 150 armored vehicles, 220 drones and 10 K-8 Karakorum trainer/light attack aircraft. Earlier in 2021, Pakistan sold three JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and ten Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to Nigeria in a deal worth nearly $200 million. From 2018 to 2021, Pakistan sold 11 JF-17 Thunder Block I aircraft to Myanmar.
Air forces of about a dozen developing nations are buying and deploying Pakistani made aircrafts. The reasons for their choice of combat-tested Pakistan manufactured airplanes include advanced BVR (beyond visual range) features, affordability and ease of acquisition, maintenance and training.
Pakistan started developing defense hardware for import substitution to reduce external dependence and to save hard currency. Now the country's defense industry is coming of age to lead the way to high value-added manufactured exports.
Pakistan has unveiled its PFX (Pakistan Fighter Experimental) program as a significant upgrade to its JF-17 joint program with China. The new upgrade will have a number of stealth features ranging from the use of radar-absorbing composite materials and diverterless supersonic inlets (DSI) to internal weapons bay (IWB) which will significantly reduce the aircraft's radar signature. It is targeted for completion by the end of this decade. In addition, the PFX's twin-engine design will improve maneuverability and allow greater payload capacity.
The program is part of Pakistan's broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthen the domestic defense industry. Currently, 58% of JF-17 components are manufactured locally by PAC, but Pakistan aims to increase this share to achieve full production autonomy for the PFX. It is not just about the PAF modernization but also about positioning Pakistan as an important player in the global military aviation market.
The PFX is an evolution of a plan that Pakistan announced in 2017 to develop and produce 5th generation fighter planes. It is part of Pakistan Air Force's highly ambitious Project Azm that includes building Kamra Aviation City dedicated to education, research and development and manufacturing of advanced fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and weapon systems.
The PAF has already started replacing its aging fleet with the induction of the Chinese J10C fighter jets which are considered 4.5 Gen. The J10-C has stealth features like diverterless supersonic inlets (DSI). Its BVR capability is supported by PL-15 missiles, with an engagement range of up to 200 kilometers, facilitating long-range target engagements.
The PAF has also begun the process of acquiring 5th generation Chinese J35 fighter jets. The delivery of 40 J35 fighters to Pakistan is expected within two years, potentially altering regional dynamics, particularly concerning India.
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22 comments:
Tactical Tipu
@Tactical_Tipu
Admiral Arun is very much right that India's Naval ASW backed by P-8 Poseidon will be a major player.
But fortunately enough for Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force enjoys complete air superiority and these ASW platforms could not be protected by any fighter of the Indian Air Force.
https://x.com/Tactical_Tipu/status/1987796790339653902?s=20
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Adm. Arun Prakash
@arunp2810
PN pursuit of Sea Denial strategy via acquisition of 8xYuan/Hangor class diesel subs will be countered by IN’s advanced ship/air ASW force. Of concern is this: by 2028 PN will field 11 subs equipped with air independent propulsion while we will have none! A 2022 backgrounder
https://x.com/arunp2810/status/1987470351329346043?s=20
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Sushant Singh
@SushantSin
Confirmation from Pakistan’s top naval official that Chinese submarines will soon arrive in the South Asian country suggests India’s dominance of the Indian Ocean could be tested and that Beijing has overcome a major technical hurdle
https://x.com/SushantSin/status/1987366830508319002?s=20
Azerbaijan displayed five newly acquired JF-17 Thunder fighter jets during its Victory Day parade, officially marking the country as the fourth operator of the China-Pakistan co-developed aircraft.
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/11/12/azerbaijan-jf17-jets/
The formation, including four single-seat jets and one twin-seat aircraft, flew over the capital as part of the celebration, according to Janes.
Col. Novruz Tahirov of the Azerbaijani Air Force served as backseat pilot in the lead twin-seat jet, demonstrating the rapid integration of the JF-17s into operational units.
Promoting Modern Air Power, Interoperability
Azerbaijan’s JF-17 jets are part of a $4.6-billion contract for 40 aircraft, first announced by President Ilham Aliyev in September 2024.
Deliveries began in October 2025, with the fleet’s initial tranche arriving at Nasosnaya Air Base in Sumqayit after participating in a bilateral exercise with the Pakistan Air Force.
Baku’s JF-17 adoption marks a major upgrade for the country’s air force, reflecting a strategy to move away from older Western and Russian platforms while supporting precision operations and networked missions.
Sources reported that the new jets will serve as cost-effective assets, would improve coordination with the systems of close ally Turkey, and strengthen defense ties with Pakistan.
At the Victory Day parade, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces also featured Turkish F-16s and Azerbaijani Su-25s, underscoring an increased focus on joint operations and multi-platform integration.
The JF-17 Thunder
The JF-17 was initially conceived in the late 1990s through a Pakistan-China strategy aimed at developing an affordable fourth-generation fighter for the Pakistani Air Force.
It has a length of 14 meters (46 feet), a wingspan of 9 meters (30 feet), and an empty weight of 7,900 kilograms (17,417 pounds).
The plane is fitted with a Klimov RD-93 engine, providing a range of 1,880 nautical miles (3,482 kilometers/2,163 miles), an operational altitude of 16,900 meters (55,446 feet), and speeds up to Mach 1.6 (1,976 kilometers/1,228 miles per hour).
For combat, the aircraft employs a 23-millimeter cannon, multi-domain missiles, guided and unguided bombs, and electronic countermeasures.
The platform, designed and constructed by Islamabad’s government-owned Aeronautical Complex and Beijing’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, has received multiple upgrades since its debut.
(VIDEO) Oil Leak at Dubai Airshow 2025 Puts India’s LCA Tejas Under Global Scrutiny
A viral oil-leak incident at Dubai Airshow 2025 has triggered global debate over the reliability, readiness, and export viability of India’s LCA Tejas fighter aircraft.
https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/tejas-oil-leak-dubai-airshow-2025-lca-india-fighter-jet-embarrassment/
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Social media is abuzz with tweets showing images and videos of a potential embarrassment for India’s multi-role fighter aircraft Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at the ongoing Dubai Air Show 2025.
The Indian Air Force is in Dubai to participate in the Air Show with the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team and LCA Tejas.
———.
Response from Indian Air Force Squadron Leader Panwar (Rtd)
@VarlinPanwar
It’s a very normal thing for any mechanical platform especially such a complex one. No need to drag your Anti-India propaganda into everything.
https://x.com/varlinpanwar/status/1990399247917674697?s=61&t=mgTxrmITUbpo9NntN5677Q
Indian Tejas fighter jet crashes in a ball of fire at Dubai Airshow, killing pilot | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-home-built-fighter-jet-tejas-crashes-dubai-air-show-2025-11-21/
NEW DELHI/DUBAI, Nov 21 (Reuters) - An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed in a ball of fire in front of horrified spectators during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, and the Indian Air Force said it was setting up a court of inquiry to investigate the cause.
Video from the site showed black smoke rising behind a fenced airstrip. Dubai's government shared a photograph of firefighting teams dousing smouldering wreckage.
Jignesh Variya, 46, who was attending the show with his family, told Reuters the fighter jet had been flying for no more than eight or nine minutes and completed two to three laps when it went into a nose-dive, before flattening out but continuing to lose altitude and crashing at around 2:15 p.m. (1015 GMT).
"I could see three different fireballs when it collided with the ground," he said. "Everybody in the crowd stood up there on their feet, and then maybe in around 30 seconds, the emergency vehicles rushed over to the location at the crash site."
CRASH HAPPENED ON FINAL DAY OF AIRSHOW
It was the second known crash of the single-engine 4.5-generation fighter jet, which is built by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HIAE.NS), opens new tab and powered by General Electric GE.N engines. The first crash was during an exercise in India in 2024.
The homegrown jet, whose name means "brilliance" in Sanskrit, is seen as crucial for India's efforts to modernise its air force fleet of mainly Russian and ex-Soviet fighters.
The crash happened during the last day of the airshow, the Middle East's largest aviation event, which started on Monday. Flying had resumed later on Friday, witnesses said, with jets back in the sky above the show site.
"A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident," the Indian Air Force said in a statement. It confirmed the sole pilot had been killed.
The UAE aviation authority was not immediately available to comment on whether it would lead a local investigation. The Indian embassy said it was in touch with UAE authorities. Experts stressed it was too early to say what caused the crash.
GE said in a statement it was ready to support the investigation.
Dubai's government said emergency teams were managing the situation on-site.
First manufactured in 2001 but dating back to studies first carried out two decades earlier, the Tejas was designed as a light combat jet to replace India's fleet of Russian MiG-21s.
Fidato
@tequieremos
“Tejas is no match to JF-17. Babus in India cannot manufacture planes. Pakistanis know more about Indian Airforce than Indians themselves.”
~ Abhijit Lyer
@Iyervval
https://x.com/tequieremos/status/1991892627978117559?s=20
About Abhijit Iyer-Mitra
Abhijit is senior fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. He used to coordinate the National Security Programme at ORF. Abhijit has been a visiting fellow at Sandia National laboratories Albuquerque and the Stimson centre in Washington DC.Abhijit is a defence economist by training. He has written for national and international dailies and has several academic publications and books.
https://www.orfonline.org/contributors/abhijit-iyer-mitra
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Big setback for India as Armenia halts negotiations to purchase Tejas jets, decision made after Dubai crash
https://www.india.com/business/big-setback-for-india-as-armenia-halts-negotiations-to-purchase-tejas-jets-decision-made-after-dubai-crash-wing-commander-namash-siyal-indian-air-force-iaf-sukhoi-rafale-mirage-8202048/
New Delhi: Armenia has halted negotiations to purchase Tejas fighter jets from India. According to Israeli media outlet Jerusalem Post, this decision was made after the Tejas aircraft crash at the Dubai Airshow on November 21, killing Indian pilot Wing Commander Namash Siyal.
Armenia was preparing to purchase 12 Tejas aircraft from India for approximately $1.2 billion (Rs 10,000 crore). The deal was in its final stages, which could have been Tejas’s first foreign deal.
However, there has been no official statement from the Armenian government on this matter. The Indian government has also not yet commented on this report.
Why is Tejas special?
Currently, the top fighter jets in the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet include the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, Mirage, MiG-29, and Tejas. Tejas is unique and distinct from the other four fighter jets because of its distinct features.
Most of the aircraft’s components are manufactured in India. It is equipped with the Israeli EL/M-2052 radar, a modern technology, which enables Tejas to track and engage 10 targets simultaneously.
The Tejas can take off from a very short runway, i.e., about a 460-meter runway, and its weight is only 6500 kg.
The Tejas crash at the Dubai Air Show
An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday, 21 November 2025, during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, at around 2:10 pm local time.
The incident occurred during an aerial display on the final day of the Dubai Air Show. The Tejas fighter aircraft was performing a low-altitude manoeuvre. The aircraft suddenly lost altitude, and within seconds, it crashed to the ground. The aircraft exploded and caught fire. The pilot, Wing Commander Namash Siyal, died on the spot.
Faseeh Mangi
@FaseehMangi
Turkey Plans Drone Facility in Pakistan in Global Defense Push | Exclusive
Talks over the project have advanced recently, which would see Turkey export stealth and long-endurance drones to be put together in Pakistan
https://x.com/FaseehMangi/status/1996908814323613836?s=20
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Turkey Plans Drone Facility in Pakistan in Global Defense Push
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-05/turkey-plans-drone-facility-in-pakistan-in-global-defense-push
Turkey plans to set up a facility in Pakistan to assemble combat drones as part of its drive to boost its defense industry in international markets.
Talks over the project have advanced significantly since October, and would see Turkey export stealth and long-endurance drones to be put together in Pakistan.
The discussions are part of Turkey's efforts to grow its defense industry, which underpins President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ambitions to strengthen his influence in the Middle East and further afield.
Turkey plans to set up a facility in Pakistan to assemble combat drones, part of Ankara’s drive to boost its defense industry in international markets, according to Turkish officials familiar with the matter.
Talks over the project, which would see Turkey export stealth and long-endurance drones to be put together in Pakistan, have advanced significantly since October, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information.
Turkey’s Defense Ministry declined to comment. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar didn’t respond to requests for a comment.
The discussions are part of Turkey’s efforts to grow its defense industry, a strategy that underpins President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ambitions to strengthen his influence in the Middle East and further afield. The country has announced deals this year including an order by Indonesia for fighter planes and has plans to supply more arms to Saudi Arabia and Syria.
Turkey’s defense exports increased 30% in the first 11 months of this year to a record $7.5 billion, Haluk Gorgun, who heads the presidency’s defense-industry body, said on Thursday.
Turkey has long-standing ties with Pakistan and is building corvette warships for its navy under a co-production deal, according to both countries. Turkey has upgraded dozens of Pakistan’s F-16s and now wants Islamabad to join its Kaan fifth-generation fighter program, the people said.
The talks to bolster Pakistan’s military capabilities come in the wake of a ceasefire with India following a four-day military clash between the nuclear-armed neighbors in May. Tensions are also high between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leading to a series of clashes, ever since Islamabad accused the Taliban of hosting militant groups that plan attacks on the country.
Pakistan–Libya US$4.6 Billion Defence Pact Signals Strategic Shift in North Africa’s Military Balance
https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/pakistan-libya-4-6-billion-defence-deal-military-export-analysis/#google_vignette
The landmark agreement underscores Libya’s push to rebuild its fractured armed forces while accelerating Pakistan’s rise as a cost-competitive defence exporter beyond Western and Russian supply networks.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Pakistan and Libya reportedly inked a US$4.6 billion (approximately RM21.62 billion) defence deal, marking a significant development in South–South military cooperation and aligning Libya’s efforts to rebuild its armed forces with Pakistan’s expanding role as a competitive defence exporter beyond traditional Western and Russian supply networks.
The scale, scope and timing of the agreement underscore a recalibration of defence diplomacy across North Africa and South Asia, where affordability, rapid induction timelines, operational sovereignty and reduced political conditionality are increasingly decisive factors shaping procurement behaviour.
For Pakistan, the reported pact marks one of the largest single defence export packages in its history, matching in headline value its earlier US$4.6 billion (RM21.62 billion) JF-17 agreement with Azerbaijan, while for Libya it represents a rare attempt to pursue structured, state-to-state military modernisation after more than a decade of fragmentation, attrition and institutional decay.
The deal is widely understood to have been formalised during Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s historic mid-December 2025 visit to Benghazi, the first by a Pakistani military chief to Libya, where discussions culminated in the signing of a military cooperation framework at the headquarters of the Libyan National Army (LNA) under Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar.
This engagement, conducted against the backdrop of Libya’s unresolved political bifurcation and Pakistan’s export-oriented defence industrial push, has been interpreted by regional analysts as a pragmatic alignment driven less by ideology than by hard operational requirements and mutual strategic opportunity.
Beyond its immediate transactional value, the agreement reflects a broader shift in how emerging and post-conflict states structure defence partnerships, prioritising turnkey capability packages and long-term sustainment over isolated platform acquisitions.
For Libya, the decision to engage Pakistan signals a strategic intent to rebuild military effectiveness through institutionalised training, maintenance and doctrine transfer rather than reliance on ad hoc foreign support or proxy forces.
For Pakistan, the deal reinforces a deliberate effort to translate operational experience and indigenous production capacity into enduring geopolitical influence across Africa and the wider Middle East.
Taken together, these dynamics suggest the Pakistan–Libya defence agreement is as much a statement of strategic positioning as it is a procurement contract, illustrating how defence exports are increasingly being leveraged as instruments of diplomacy, influence and long-term alignment in an evolving multipolar security order.
Strategic Context and the Revival of a Dormant Defence Relationship
Libya’s pursuit of a comprehensive defence partnership with Pakistan reflects a recognition that its post-2011 security vacuum cannot be addressed through piecemeal acquisitions, irregular foreign assistance or reliance on proxy forces alone.
Turkish Air Force receives 52 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft from Pakistan
https://www.turkiyetoday.com/nation/turkish-air-force-receives-52-super-mushshak-trainer-aircraft-from-pakistan-3211585?s=1
ccording to Scramble Magazine, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex completed the delivery of 52 MFI-395 Super Mushshak training aircraft ordered by Türkiye. The order was placed during the 2016 IDEAS Defence Fair held in Karachi.
Despite significant delays that plagued the program, the project is considered one of the most important defense industry cooperations between Pakistan and Türkiye in the military aviation field. Early Super Mushshak aircraft underwent acceptance and flight-line tests at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities before being handed over to operational units.
The Super Mushshaks are primarily operated by the 123rd Squadron based at Izmir Cigli Air Base, where they conduct flight training operations. Additional aircraft are assigned to the 126th Squadron operating from Istanbul Ataturk Airport and Yalova.
According to the report, with the introduction of the MFI-395 Super Mushshak, the service life of the Cessna T-41D Mescalero in the Air Force Academy inventory and the SIAI Marchetti SF260D aircraft used by the 123rd Squadron in the Turkish Air Force is expected to end.
Pakistan strikes one of its largest-ever weapons sales in $4bn deal with Libya
https://www.gamereactor.eu/pakistan-strikes-one-of-its-largest-ever-weapons-sales-in-4bn-deal-with-libya-1651913/
Pakistan has agreed a weapons deal worth more than $4 billion with Libya's eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), as per Reuters, marking one of the biggest arms sales in the country's history.
The agreement was finalised after talks last week in Benghazi between Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Saddam Khalifa Haftar, the LNA's deputy commander. The deal is expected to be carried out over about two and a half years and covers equipment for air, land and sea forces, officials said.
Libya remains under a United Nations arms embargo
According to officials familiar with the agreement, it includes fighter aircraft such as the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 and Super Mushak trainer planes, alongside other military hardware. The LNA has confirmed a defence cooperation pact with Pakistan, including weapons sales and joint training, without disclosing details.
Any arms transfer is likely to draw scrutiny as Libya remains under a United Nations arms embargo imposed in 2011, though Pakistani officials said the deal does not violate international restrictions. The agreement underscores Pakistan's push to expand defence exports, promoting its military industry and positioning itself as a lower-cost alternative supplier outside Western arms markets.
AI Overview
As India Struggles, Pakistan Bags Another Jet Deal; To ...
Pakistan is supplying Zimbabwe with 12 of its MFI-17 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, a deal finalized in 2024 to help the Air Force of Zimbabwe replace its aging fleet, with the aircraft built by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). This acquisition is part of a trend of African nations sourcing military aircraft from Pakistan, offering a modern, reliable, glass-cockpit trainer with potential light attack capabilities, moving away from Western suppliers due to sanctions.
Key Details:
Aircraft Type: MFI-17 Super Mushshak (developed from the Saab Safari).
Quantity: 12 aircraft.
Manufacturer: Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra.
Purpose: Basic training, potentially light attack/utility roles, replacing older, worn-out trainers in Zimbabwe.
Features: Single-engine, all-metal, fixed tricycle landing gear, dual controls, glass cockpit options, US FAR 23 certified, and capable of operating from short strips.
Context: Zimbabwe's move aligns with other African nations like Nigeria in procuring Pakistani aircraft, seeking to modernize despite Western sanctions.
This deal showcases Pakistan's growing success in exporting its indigenous aerospace products, following similar deals for the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet.
Pakistan leverages India conflict to ink record $4bn arms sale to Libya
UN arms embargo a hurdle, but deal still a boost to arms supplier ambitions: experts
https://asia.nikkei.com/business/aerospace-defense-industries/pakistan-leverages-india-conflict-to-ink-record-4bn-arms-sale-to-libya
ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan has reached an agreement worth more than $4 billion to supply conventional weapons to military authorities in control of the eastern part of Libya, making it potentially the South Asian country's biggest defense export deal ever.
It was finalized last week when Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's chief of Defense Forces, paid an official visit to Benghazi in Libya.
The deal, however, may face potential hurdles due to United Nations sanctions on the North African country.
Libya is currently governed through a fragmented power arrangement. In the west, the U.N.-recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli runs the government. In the east, territorial control rests with the Libyan National Army, with headquarters in Benghazi. Libya, including the two territories, has been subject to a U.N. arms embargo since 2011, requiring approval from the global body for transfers of weapons and related material.
According to the agreement, Pakistan will sell over two dozen jets -- including JF-17 fighter jets, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China -- and 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft used for basic pilot training to Libya, among other equipment, over the course of three years, two government officials familiar with the development told Nikkei Asia on condition of anonymity.
Spokespersons for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and military mouthpiece Inter Services Public Relations did not respond to Nikkei's requests for comment.
Experts said that Islamabad's renewed confidence, after May's conflict with India, helped secure the agreement.
In three days of fighting, Pakistan shot down Indian fighter jets, a point that has repeatedly been mentioned by U.S. President Donald Trump.
"Pakistan's performance in May has certainly bolstered its confidence and shown how skillful the Pakistan Air Force is and how well-made Chinese weapons are, especially the JF-17s," Sahar Khan, an independent national security analyst based in Washington, DC, told Nikkei.
Qamar Cheema, executive director of the Sanober Institute, an Islamabad-based think tank, says the combat paved the way for the Libya deal. "Pakistan wants to emerge as a supplier of conventional weapons, and in this context, the post-May military posture helps a lot," he said.
Bilal Zubair, director of research at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) in Islamabad, looks to other recent defense-related deals that the country concluded after the brief conflict with India. "Pakistan's fighter jet exports to Azerbaijan, a defense agreement with Saudi (Arabia) and high-level defense talks with Qatar show Pakistan's defense clout expanding beyond South Asia," he said..
As for the U.N. arms embargo, Cheema said that it is in reality largely a paper one. "Many countries are already supplying military hardware and maintain strong diplomatic and military ties with the Libyan National Army," he told Nikkei.
Khan, on the other hand, said that despite its ineffectiveness, the proscription can still create legal problems. "The embargo increases the likelihood of delays. Pakistan risks getting slapped with secondary sanctions if the U.N. views the arms deal as a direct violation of the embargo," she said.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Pakistan's combined major arms sales from 2021 to 2024 amount to $64 million. If realized, the $4 billion arms deal with Libya would be an unprecedented achievement for Pakistan's defense industry.
Cheema said that defense exports are not only a security matter but also an economic strategy. "Becoming a conventional arms supplier is a way to boost Pakistan's defense exports and generate much-needed foreign exchange," he said.
Farrukh saleem
@SaleemFarrukh
Pakistan's Arms Sales Contracts (2024–2025):
Libya
Azerbaijan
Sudan
Zimbabwe
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
Myanmar
Nigeria
Morocco
Turkey
Based on reported data, contracts signed in 2024–2025 total approximately $10–12 billion,
https://x.com/SaleemFarrukh/status/2008919887792804087?s=20
AI Overview
Bangladesh is currently negotiating a significant defense pact with Pakistan, focusing on arms sales like JF-17 jets and joint military cooperation, signaling a major shift in regional security dynamics following political changes in Dhaka and strained ties with India. This follows previous military cooperation agreements with India, including a 2017 umbrella pact for defense trade and production, but recent developments point towards strengthening ties with Pakistan.
Key Developments with Pakistan
Negotiations Underway: Military officials from Pakistan and Bangladesh have held talks, confirming discussions on a strategic defense pact.
Arms Deals: The proposed pact includes Pakistan selling JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to Bangladesh.
Joint Mechanism: A joint body has been established to draft the agreement, expected to cover intelligence sharing, joint drills, and deeper military collaboration.
Strategic Shift: The move is seen as a response to deteriorating relations with India and reflects Bangladesh's evolving strategic priorities in South Asia.
Context with India
Past Cooperation: Bangladesh and India signed a broad defense cooperation agreement in 2017, which included military production and a $5 billion line of credit for hardware.
Strained Relations: Tensions escalated after political changes in Bangladesh in August 2024, leading to a cooling of relations with New Delhi.
Implications
The potential Pakistan-Bangladesh defense pact signifies a new strategic alignment in South Asia, potentially altering regional stability and India's influence.
#Pakistan to Sell Fighter Jets and Drones to #Indonesia in #defence deal: Sources | Khaleej Times
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/asia/pakistan-indonesia-closing-in-on-jets-and-drones-defence-deal
Indonesia's defence minister met Pakistan's air force chief in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of combat jets and killer drones to Jakarta, three security officials with knowledge of the meeting on Monday said.
The talks come as Pakistan's defence industry moves forward with a series of defence procurement negotiations, including deals with Libya's National Army and Sudan's army, and looks to establish itself as a sizable regional player.
Indonesia's Defence Ministry confirmed the meeting between Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Pakistan's Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.
"The meeting focused on discussing general defence cooperation relations, including strategic dialogue, strengthening communication between defence institutions, and opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields in the long term," defence ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait told Reuters, adding the talks had not yet led to concrete decisions.
One source said the talks revolved around the sale of JF-17 jets, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and killer drones designed for surveillance and striking targets. The other two sources said the talks were in an advanced stage and involved more than 40 JF-17 jets. One of them said Indonesia was also interested in Pakistan's Shahpar drones.
The sources did not share any discussions about delivery timelines and the number of years a proposed deal would span.
The Pakistani military's public relations wing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
INDONESIA REPLACING AGEING AIR FORCE FLEET
One additional security source with knowledge of military procurement talks said Pakistan was discussing the sale of JF-17 Thunder jets, air defence systems, training for junior, mid-level, and senior Indonesian air force officials, and engineering staff.
"The Indonesia deal is in the pipeline," retired Air Marshal Asim Suleiman, who remains briefed on air force deals, told Reuters, adding that the number of JF-17 jets involved was close to 40.
Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto was in Pakistan last month for a two-day visit for talks on improving bilateral ties, including defence.
Indonesia has put in a slew of orders for jets in the past few years, including 42 French Rafale jets worth $8.1 billion in 2022 and 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkey last year to strengthen its air force and replace its ageing air force fleet.
Jakarta has also considered buying China's J-10 fighter jets and is in talks to purchase U.S.-made F-15EX jets.
PAKISTAN'S RISING DEFENCE INDUSTRY
Interest in the Pakistani military's weapons development programme has surged since its jets were deployed in a short conflict with India last year.
The JF-17s have been at the centre of that growing attention, figuring in a deal with Azerbaijan and the $4 billion weapons pact with the Libyan National Army. Pakistan is also eyeing a defence pact with Bangladesh that could include the Super Mushshak training jets and JF-17s, as ties improve with Dhaka.
Reuters has also reported that Islamabad was in talks with Riyadh for a defence deal that could be worth between $2 billion and $4 billion and involves the conversion of Saudi loans into military supplies.
The Pakistani Thunder fighter jet air forces are lining up to buy
After excelling in combat, the JF-17 flies off shelves, giving Islamabad’s export industry a major boost
By Samaan Lateef in Mumbai
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/13/pakistani-fighter-jet-air-forces-want-to-buy/
When Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact in September last year, it was clear what Riyadh wanted from Islamabad.
A similar interest has been shown by Bangladesh, Iraq, Indonesia and the Libyan national army.
Agreements have either been signed, or soon will be, for Pakistan’s domestically produced JF-17 Thunder fighter jet.
Low in cost, high in performance, the jets were tested in combat against India as the two nuclear powers went to war in May. The JF-17 excelled against India’s French-made Rafales, and now other countries are lining up to buy their own.
The lightweight, multi-role fighter aircraft is manufactured at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), just 50 miles from the capital, Islamabad.
Its Block II variant is a 4.5-generation fighter jet equipped with an advanced radar and beyond-visual-range missiles capable of air-to-air and air-to-surface combat missions. They are fitted with Chinese-made PL-10E high off-boresight air-to-air missiles.
It has advanced avionics, an active electronically scanned array (Aesa) radar and electronic warfare systems, representing an upgrade from the US F-16 and Russian Su-27, which were primarily built for speed and dogfighting.
The Pakistan air force (PAF) says the jet offers high manoeuvrability at medium and low altitudes and combines firepower, agility and survivability, making it “a potent platform for any air force”.
The Aesa radar enables it to simultaneously track multiple targets and provides more visibility at longer distances. It does not feature stealth technology, so sits in the same category as Sweden’s Gripen, France’s Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and China’s J-10.
Except it is far cheaper.
The estimated price of the JF-17 is between $25m-$30m (£18.6m-£22.3m).
The Rafales cost more than $90m (£66.8m) per unit, while the Gripen is priced at more than $100m (£74.3m). Typhoons are around $117m (£86.9m) and J-10s are around $50m (£37.1m). US F35 Lightning IIs cost $109m (£80.9m).
The other appeal of the JF-17s is that they have already proven themselves in combat: with India in 2019 and 2025.
In February 2019, Pakistan shot down an Indian fighter jet and captured its pilot, Group Captain Abhinandhan Varthaman, who was released two days later after the US and China intervened. The short conflict also resulted in the deaths of of five Indian air force officers and a civilian in India-administered Kashmir.
In the four-day conflict in May last year, Pakistan claimed to have shot down six Indian aircraft including three French-made Rafales. India has admitted losses, but it has not provided specific numbers of jets lost in the conflict.
The Rafales cost more than $90m (£66.8m) per unit, while the Gripen is priced at more than $100m (£74.3m). Typhoons are around $117m (£86.9m) and J-10s are around $50m (£37.1m). US F35 Lightning IIs cost $109m (£80.9m).
The other appeal of the JF-17s is that they have already proven themselves in combat: with India in 2019 and 2025.
In February 2019, Pakistan shot down an Indian fighter jet and captured its pilot, Group Captain Abhinandhan Varthaman, who was released two days later after the US and China intervened. The short conflict also resulted in the deaths of of five Indian air force officers and a civilian in India-administered Kashmir.
In the four-day conflict in May last year, Pakistan claimed to have shot down six Indian aircraft including three French-made Rafales. India has admitted losses, but it has not provided specific numbers of jets lost in the conflict.
The Pakistani Thunder fighter jet air forces are lining up to buy
After excelling in combat, the JF-17 flies off shelves, giving Islamabad’s export industry a major boost
By Samaan Lateef in Mumbai
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/13/pakistani-fighter-jet-air-forces-want-to-buy/
The PAF says JF-17 Thunder took part in the formations that engaged Indian aircraft and was used to strike India’s Russian-made S-400 air defence system with a hypersonic missile. India has denied there was any damage to its defence system.
The fighting stopped abruptly on May 10 after Donald Trump announced a “full and immediate ceasefire”. Pakistan later nominated the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him with defusing a potential nuclear confrontation. Mr Trump also stated a number of times that six to eight jets were shot down, highlighting PAF’s performance.
The jet’s capabilities and competitive pricing had been noticed years before by smaller militaries.
In 2015, Myanmar became the first country to buy the JF-17. Seven out of 15 have been delivered so far and the delay has been attributed to the sanctions on Myanmar’s military junta.
In 2021, Nigeria bought three JF-17 jets. In February 2024, Azerbaijan signed a deal to buy 16 jets for $1.5bn (£1.1bn). In November, it unveiled five JF-17 during its Victory Day parade.
But analysts say the May conflict boosted the JF-17’s appeal, particularly after the French-made Rafales were shot down.
Deals agreed with six countries
On Jan 6, Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, his Bangladeshi counterpart, met in Islamabad and discussed “potential procurement” of the JF-17 Thunder aircraft.
Now, Pakistan’s military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, says that a deal to sell JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Bangladesh is imminent.
On Monday, Reuters reported that Indonesia’s defence minister met Pakistan’s air force chief in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of JF-17s. One source cited by the news agency said Jakarta would buy more than 40 jets.
Iraq has also shown “keen interest” in making purchases.
These agreements come less than a month after a $4bn (£3bn) deal with the Libyan national army for more than a dozen jets.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert about $2bn (£1.5bn) of Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal.
Aamir Masood, a retired air marshal and analyst, said Pakistan was in talks about or had finalised deals with six countries to provide equipment including JF-17s and electronic systems and weapons systems for the jets. He said those countries included Saudi Arabia, but could not confirm any details about the negotiations.
Pakistan is currently under a $7bn (£5.2bn) International Monetary Fund programme, its 24th, which followed a short-term $3bn (£2.2bn) deal that helped avert a sovereign default in 2023. It secured the fund’s support after Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies provided financial and deposit rollovers.
Christopher Clary, a non-resident fellow with Stimson’s South Asia program and associate professor of political science at the University of Albany said: “The JF-17 has had some real export success. If Pakistan can develop a real defence export industry, that will help with international status and hard currency. It will also provide economies of scale for its own defence acquisitions of indigenous or co-produced hardware.”
Last week, Pakistan’s defence minister said the success of its weapons industry could transform the country’s economic outlook.
Khawaja Asif told broadcaster Geo News: “Our aircraft have been tested, and we are receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund in six months.”
Multiple countries have shown interest in Pakistani weapons and jets. But Pakistan won’t find it easy to deliver, say analysts.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/16/saudi-to-sudan-can-pakistan-expand-military-footprint-across-arab-world
Islamabad, Pakistan – By the standards of mega arms deals, the $1.5bn deal for Pakistan to reportedly sell jets and weapons to Sudan’s military isn’t huge.
But the deal, which the Reuters news agency reported in early January was close to being finalised, could prove pivotal in the grinding war that has devoured Sudan for nearly three years between the country’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Tens of thousands of people have been killed, millions have been displaced, and RSF troops have been accused of gang rapes – including of infants.
The agreement under negotiation is only the latest in a series of moves by Pakistan in recent months that demonstrate the growing footprint of its military hardware and clout in the Arab world.
Pakistan’s military has, over the past few years, sold jets to multiple countries in Asia and Africa, and is in talks with others. But in the Middle East, its military role has traditionally, for the most part, involved training forces of Arab allies.
That’s now changing, with a spree of deals and negotiations that could turn Pakistan into a key security provider in some cases, and give it the ability to tip the balance in delicate conflicts in other instances.
But analysts warn that divisions within the Arab world mean that Pakistan will need to tread carefully – or risk burning bridges with important partners.
Saudi mutual defence
Anchoring this shift in Pakistan’s military influence in the Arab world is the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) the country signed with Saudi Arabia last September, weeks after Israel bombed Qatar, setting off concerns across the region over whether the United States – historically the security provider for several Gulf states – could be trusted.
Since then, Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia is among the countries that have also expressed interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet.
Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s wealthiest countries, operates a large and sophisticated air force equipped primarily with US and European aircraft and is in the process of ordering at least 48 US-manufactured F-35 jets, considered among the most advanced fighter aircraft currently available.
But Adil Sultan, a former Pakistan Air Force air commodore, said Saudi Arabia may also be looking to diversify its defence suppliers amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Pakistan, as a traditional ally, and with the mutual defence treaty in place, is a “reliable partner” for Saudi Arabia. If Saudi Arabia buys JF-17s, it would “enhance interoperability of both the air forces and would be mutually beneficial”, he told Al Jazeera.
Amir Husain, a Texas-based defence technology analyst, agreed.
“With the SMDA between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, it makes a lot of sense for there to be a degree of commonality in systems,” he said.
“Saudi Arabia is helping countries in the region, such as Libya, Somalia and Sudan, attain stability. The JF-17, and the Royal Saudi Air Force’s [RSAF] familiarity with this platform, can achieve these regional stabilisation aims,” Husain added.
The JF-17 attraction
Apart from Saudi Arabia, Iraq too has shown interest in the JF-17, according to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) – the military’s media arm.
The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, all-weather, multirole fighter jointly produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.
Production is split between the two countries, with 58 percent carried out in Pakistan and 42 percent in China. Pakistan produces the airframe, while China supplies the avionics.
Multiple countries have shown interest in Pakistani weapons and jets. But Pakistan won’t find it easy to deliver, say analysts.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/16/saudi-to-sudan-can-pakistan-expand-military-footprint-across-arab-world
The latest version, the Block 3 variant, is classified as a 4.5-generation fighter. It features air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities, advanced avionics, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, electronic warfare systems and the ability to fire beyond-visual-range missiles.
The AESA radar allows pilots to track multiple targets simultaneously and detect threats at longer distances, though the aircraft lacks the stealth characteristics of fifth-generation fighters.
According to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) sources, full assembly takes place in Pakistan, and the production line at the Kamra facility can manufacture between 20 and 25 aircraft annually.
Pakistan has marketed the JF-17 internationally for several years. Azerbaijan, Nigeria and Myanmar are currently among the aircraft’s operators. But analysts say interest in the jet has intensified since the brief but intense military confrontation between Pakistan and India last May.
During their four-day air conflict, both launched missiles and drones at each other’s territories, parts of Kashmir they administer, and military bases, after gunmen killed 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir.
On the first night of fighting, on May 7, Pakistan claimed it had shot down several Indian aircraft using Chinese-made J-10 Vigorous Dragon jets.
The PAF deployed a 42-aircraft formation that included JF-17 Thunders and US-made F-16 Fighting Falcons against a 72-aircraft formation from the Indian Air Force. Indian officials initially denied any losses but later acknowledged that “some” planes had been lost.
With a relatively low-price tag of $25m to $30m per aircraft, the JF-17 has long been seen as an attractive option for air forces seeking a cost-effective solution – it is much cheaper than comparable aircraft produced by Western manufacturers.
Analysts say that its recent combat exposure has added to its appeal, as battle-tested performance often carries greater weight than price alone.
Al Jazeera sent queries to ISPR and the PAF seeking confirmation and details about the negotiations with different countries, but received no response.
Beyond Saudi Arabia and Iraq, reports suggest that Sudan’s upcoming deal with Pakistan also involves the JF-17. Pakistan, reports in December suggested, was also planning to sell these jets to Libyan rebels. Outside the Arab world, Bangladesh and Indonesia have also shown interest in the jets.
Walking a tightrope
But Pakistan’s expanding military clientele also means that the country will need to juggle competing interests, say analysts.
In Sudan, its weapons and jets will go to the armed forces, which are also supported by Saudi Arabia. Sudan, meanwhile, has accused the United Arab Emirates of financing and arming the paramilitary RSF – a charge the UAE has repeatedly rejected.
In Libya, Pakistan reportedly struck a $4bn deal in December with Khalifa Haftar, the rebel leader whose army controls a major chunk of the country’s north.
Sudan’s army – which Pakistan’s army is reportedly about to arm – has previously accused Haftar of helping the RSF. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been on opposing sides in Yemen in recent weeks, with Riyadh accusing Abu Dhabi of arming southern separatists. The UAE has denied those allegations.
Against that backdrop, it will not be easy for Pakistan to sell the same weapons systems to opposing sides, Umer Karim, an associate fellow at the Riyadh-based King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, told Al Jazeera.
Karim said that he also believed that the Pakistani jets that Saudi Arabia has reportedly shown interest in are also meant for the Sudanese military.
Multiple countries have shown interest in Pakistani weapons and jets. But Pakistan won’t find it easy to deliver, say analysts.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/16/saudi-to-sudan-can-pakistan-expand-military-footprint-across-arab-world
But Pakistani platforms, and the JF-17 in particular, offer other benefits, even to Sudan’s army and Libyan rebels, said Sultan, the former PAF officer. That the JF-17 is manufactured jointly with China gives it extra geopolitical heft, he pointed out.
“These countries may buy fewer numbers [than bigger countries] as per their requirement, but Pakistan may be seen as a most reliable source to acquire aircraft due to strong support from China,” he said.
Unlike Western weapons systems, jets like the JF-17 are also appealing to Global South militaries because of their “robustness, lower lifecycle cost, ease of maintenance, and rapid operationalisation”, another retired PAF official, who requested anonymity, told Al Jazeera. This official was involved with the JF-17 programme while in service.
Pakistan’s weapons exports
The JF-17 is driving a much wider weapons export push from Pakistan, say analysts.
A recent report by KTrade, a Karachi-based brokerage and research firm, said that Pakistan’s defence exports include not only fighter jets but also tanks, drones, armoured vehicles, naval systems and small arms.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says Pakistan remains one of the world’s largest arms importers, with most of its imports coming from China, while exporting less than $50m worth of arms annually.
However, data from Pakistan’s central bank shows that arms and ammunition exports jumped massively in the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year, rising from $13m to more than $400m.
While never officially acknowledged, the jump in figures is widely attributed to Pakistan supplying ammunition to Ukrainian forces fighting Russia since February 2022.
The reports of potential JF-17 sales come as Pakistan seeks to stabilise its economy and rebuild diplomatic momentum. Islamabad has recently improved ties with the United States while reinforcing partnerships with China, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
Pakistan is currently in its 25th International Monetary Fund programme, a $7bn loan spread over 37 months, underscoring its need for foreign inflows.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently suggested that arms exports could ease that dependence. “Our aircraft have been tested, and we are receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund in six months,” he said in a television interview.
KTrade estimated that existing and potential JF-17 deals, including a $1.5bn contract with Azerbaijan from 2024 and possible sales to Saudi Arabia, Libya and Sudan, could generate up to $13bn, boosting Pakistan’s foreign reserves by as much as 82 percent.
Karim, however, remains unconvinced, noting that previous efforts to market the jet did not lead to major contracts.
“It is a bit strange that all of a sudden, and without that sort of intense official and institutional engagement, so many defence deals involving the JF-17 are being discussed,” he said.
“For now, one can say they’re meant to project the narrative of the Pakistani defence industrial complex and its indigenous weapon systems coming of age and attracting customers everywhere.”
Sultan attributed the renewed interest to lessons drawn from last year’s conflict with India, “where Chinese-sourced weapon systems have proven their efficacy against the advanced Western aircraft”.
A multipolar arms market
Pakistan’s discussions with potential weapons buyers are unfolding against a backdrop of intensifying competition between the United States and China, as many countries reassess defence procurement strategies in an increasingly polarised world.
The US remains the world’s largest arms exporter, accounting for 43 percent of global sales in 2024, according to SIPRI. China ranks fourth, with about a 6 percent share – nearly two-thirds of which goes to Pakistan.
Multiple countries have shown interest in Pakistani weapons and jets. But Pakistan won’t find it easy to deliver, say analysts.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/16/saudi-to-sudan-can-pakistan-expand-military-footprint-across-arab-world
The retired PAF official who spoke on condition of anonymity said any JF-17 sale should be seen as strategic diversification, not geopolitical defiance.
“This reflects a pragmatic shift toward multipolar defence procurement, where performance, combat credibility, cost and sovereignty matter more than legacy alignments,” he said.
Husain, the defence technology analyst, agreed, saying Pakistan was not competing directly with US manufacturers.
“The JF-17 is a tremendous aircraft, and there is room in many fleets for both platforms,” he said.
Uzair Younus, partner at The Asia Group, a Washington, DC-based geopolitical consulting firm, concurred, adding that the diversification is largely driven by a recognition that “Western defence supply chains will be strained for the foreseeable future”.
“I don’t see Washington, at least under [US President Donald] Trump, viewing these developments negatively,” Younus said. Countries like Saudi Arabia are likely to procure cutting-edge supplies from the West, and access to platforms like the JF-17 helps them bolster their capacity to do the regional security work that America wants them to do,” he told Al Jazeera.
Why Pakistan's war with India led to a boom in arms sales and defence ties | Middle East Eye
The JF-17 fighter jet has been in high demand as geopolitical realignments allow Pakistan to forge new ties
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/why-pakistans-war-india-led-boon-arms-sales-and-defence-ties
Pakistan is seeking to convert recent battlefield claims and shifting geopolitical alignments into diplomatic and commercial leverage, according to Pakistani officials and regional analysts.
Pakistan’s domestically assembled JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, and its performance against India, have been at the centre of an ambitious drive to expand defence exports.
From the oil-rich Gulf to North Africa and Southeast Asia, Islamabad is marketing the multi-role aircraft as a combat-tested, lower-cost alternative to western platforms, targeting countries constrained by budget limitations or wary of the political conditions that accompany major arms deals with the United States and Europe.
Pakistan’s sales pitch was buoyed after a four-day air confrontation with India in May 2025, which Pakistani officials cite as a real-world demonstration of the country’s integrated air-combat capabilities.
Although the military balance sheet of the clash remains contested, Islamabad has seized on the episode to recast the JF-17 as not only affordable but operationally credible.
The JF-17 Thunder Block III is a single-engine, fourth-generation fighter jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and assembled in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s ‘combat tested’ jets boost weapons sales
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2629957/pakistan
https://youtu.be/mtFtps_Oze8?si=sCEDkUWY1ZQoXOmV
Talks underway with at least 13 countries for JF-17 jets, drones and weapons, with several negotiations at an advanced stage.
Analysts say Ukraine and Middle East wars have driven demand for cheaper, non-Western arms despite geopolitical risks.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s defense manufacturing industry is running red hot since its jets, drones and missiles earned the coveted ‘combat tested’ tag in a conflict with India last year, attracting a slew of interested buyers.
Islamabad has held talks with 13 countries, six to eight of which are in an advanced stage, for deals involving JF-17 jets made jointly with China as well as training aircraft, drones, and weapons systems, said three Pakistani sources who have knowledge of defense sales.
Pakistan’s military and defense ministry did not provide details on any deals but the country’s defense production minister confirmed that several countries were interested in jets and other military equipment.
China’s defense ministry did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Analysts believe countries are searching for new supply chains following disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East. Pakistan’s weapons have become a viable alternative after they were tested in a massive air battle with India in May, in which Pakistan’s air force squadrons flew JF-17s alongside the advanced Chinese-made J-10s.
Reuters spoke to six sources privy to defense deals, three retired air force officials, and a dozen analysts who provided insight into Pakistan’s rising weapons industry, including unreported details of negotiations.
While some expressed skepticism about whether Pakistan could navigate geopolitical pressures and increase production capacity, there was consensus that interest in Pakistani military hardware had surged. However, most analysts cautioned talks would not necessarily lead to signed deals.
“These talks are taking place (but) they can fall through due to international pressures,” Defense Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj told Reuters, terming any negotiations “guarded secrets.”
“There are a lot of queries but we are negotiating,” he said, adding interest had been expressed in air force equipment, ammunition and training.
Harraj also stressed the price difference between Pakistani jets and weapons and alternatives made in the US and Europe. While some Western options may be more technologically advanced, they cost more than three times as much as an approximately $30 million to $40 million JF-17.
GROWING LIST OF BUYERS
The sources said countries engaged in talks include Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Nigeria as well as the government in eastern Libya led by Khalifa Haftar. Discussions on JF-17s and other weapons with Bangladesh and Iraq have been publicly acknowledged by Pakistan’s military, although more details have not been made public.
Almost all the potential buyers are Muslim-majority nations, like Pakistan. Many are from the predominantly Muslim Middle East, where Pakistan has historically been a security provider.
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