A number of countries express interest in buying JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan
Defense
Minister Khawaja Asif said Tuesday that Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in
aircraft orders following a four-day military standoff with India last year,
adding that if the deals are finalized, they could eliminate the country’s
reliance on the International Monetary
Fund (IMF).
His remarks came hours after a
senior Bangladeshi defense delegation met Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber
Sidhu to discuss a possible purchase of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. The
multi-role aircraft, jointly developed by China and Pakistan, has become the
backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) over the past decade.
Pakistani fighter jets drew
international attention after Islamabad claimed it shot down six Indian
aircraft—including French-made Rafales—during clashes in May last year. India
acknowledged losses but did not disclose figures.
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Since then, several countries have increased defense engagement with Pakistan, while others have expressed interest in learning from the PAF’s multi-domain air warfare capabilities, which Pakistani officials say demonstrated the effectiveness of Chinese military technology against Western systems.
“The number of orders we are
receiving now is significant because our aircraft have been battle-tested,”
Asif told Geo News. “If these orders materialize, it’s possible that within six
months we may not even need the IMF.”
Pakistan is marketing the JF-17 as a
cost-effective multi-role fighter and positioning itself as a defense supplier
offering aircraft, training, and maintenance outside Western supply chains.
“I say this with full confidence,”
Asif added. “If all these orders are finalized within six months, we will not
require IMF assistance.”
Pakistan has frequently turned to the
IMF for economic support, often under programs tied to fiscal reforms, subsidy
reductions, and revenue-enhancing measures. In September 2024, the IMF approved
a $7 billion bailout under its Extended Fund Facility, followed by a $1.4
billion loan in May 2025 from its climate resilience fund.
The country has been working to
expand defense exports, drawing on decades of counterinsurgency experience and
a domestic industry that produces aircraft, armored vehicles, munitions, and
other military equipment.
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expresses interest in acquisition of Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets
Last month, Reuters reported that
Pakistan finalized a military equipment deal worth more than $4 billion with
Libya’s National Army, one of the largest arms sales in its history. The
agreement includes 16 JF-17 fighter jets and 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft.
Source:
Arab News