Pakistan's defense outreach spans Africa, Middle East and Asia
Pakistan is in defense export
discussions with 13 countries, including Morocco, covering JF-17 fighter jets,
MFI-17 Mushshak trainers, and unmanned systems, according to reports from
January 20, 2026.
Interest in the JF-17 Thunder has
grown following its operational deployment against India in 2025, combined with
its competitive cost of approximately $25–30 million per aircraft—significantly
lower than many Western multirole fighters. Rising global procurement challenges,
supply-chain disruptions, and cost considerations are also driving demand for
the jet.
Pakistan’s outreach spans Africa,
the Middle East, and Asia, targeting countries such as Sudan, Saudi Arabia,
Indonesia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Libya, Bangladesh, and Iraq. Negotiations often
focus on bundled packages, combining fighter jets with training, unmanned
systems, air defense, and logistics support, which allows for deeper long-term
military cooperation beyond simple aircraft sales.
Read
More JF-17
fighter jet gaining traction in the developing world
Industrial capacity currently limits JF-17 production to around 20 aircraft per year, with plans to scale up significantly by 2027 through factory expansions. Export approvals depend on co-production agreements with China and adherence to U.N. arms restrictions, particularly for regions like Sudan and Libya.
Regarding Morocco, bilateral defense
relations have recently deepened. On January 13, 2026, Pakistan and Morocco
signed a memorandum of understanding covering training, joint exercises,
cybersecurity, defense industry collaboration, and military health services.
Previous cooperation included counterterrorism drills, with the third bilateral
exercise held in Pakistan in 2025. This framework now provides a structured
channel to explore JF-17 sales alongside training and sustainment arrangements.
For Morocco, which operates
primarily U.S.-supplied fighters such as the F-16, introducing the JF-17 would
require careful evaluation of integration costs, pilot training, maintenance,
and interoperability. The Moroccan Air Force is in the midst of modernizing its
fleet with new F-16 Block 70/72s and upgraded F-16C/Ds, while legacy aircraft
like the Mirage F-1 and F-5E-F are being phased out.
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More Pakistan
may provide Saudi Arabia JF-17 fighter jets in lieu of loan repayment
The JF-17 Thunder, co-developed by Pakistan and China, is a fourth-generation, single-engine multirole fighter designed for air-to-air, air-to-ground, limited anti-ship, and reconnaissance missions. Current Block III variants feature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, advanced avionics, digital flight controls, and expanded weapons integration, including air-to-air missiles, precision-guided munitions, and an internal 23 mm cannon. The aircraft offers credible combat capability while remaining cost-effective and logistically manageable, making it a flexible option for nations seeking a balance of performance and affordability.
Pakistan positions the potential
deal with Morocco as part of a broader strategy to expand defense exports and
strengthen long-term military-industrial partnerships in Africa and the Middle
East.
Source: https://www.armyrecognition.com/