Pakistan Combat-Tested Jets Boost Weapons Sales
Pakistan’s combat-tested jets and military gear are drawing interest from at least 13 countries, as Islamabad pushes defense exports following a major 2025 air conflict with India, Reuters reports.
Talks with six to eight nations are at advanced stages, focused on exports of the JF-17 fighter developed with China, training aircraft, drones, and other weapons systems, according to multiple Pakistani sources familiar with the negotiations.
Rising Interest in Pakistani Hardware
Sources say Pakistan’s defense industry is fielding queries from countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, with formal talks also under way with Bangladesh and Iraq.
The JF-17 Block III, a multi-role combat aircraft, features in most discussions, along with training platforms, reconnaissance and attack drones, air defense gear, and armored vehicles.
Production and Cost Factors
Pakistan’s annual JF-17 output stands near 20 aircraft, but officials aim to increase capacity by late 2027 to meet potential export demand.
The jets’ lower acquisition cost, about 30 million to 40 million USD each, positions them as a budget-friendly alternative to pricier Western types.
Strategic Context
Analysts link the sales push to broader shifts in global arms sourcing, with several nations seeking non-Western suppliers amid supply chain disruptions and regional conflicts.
Pakistan’s effort to expand exports comes with geopolitical hurdles, including possible objections from China on certain deals and arms embargo constraints for some prospective buyers.
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