Pakistan may have to accelerate production of JF-17 fighter jets to meet rising demand
Pakistan could struggle to meet rising
international demand for its JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, as recent expressions
of interest from multiple countries threaten to outpace current production
capacity, according to a Bloomberg report.
Interest in the JF-17 has surged following its
reported performance during the May 2025 conflict with India, which Pakistan
says enhanced the jet’s combat credibility. The lightweight, multi-role
aircraft is jointly developed with China and manufactured in Pakistan.
According to the Pakistan Armed Forces, Iraq,
Bangladesh and Indonesia have shown interest in acquiring the JF-17 within the
past month. Reuters has separately reported that Saudi Arabia and Libya are
also exploring potential purchases, following Pakistan’s praise of the
Chinese-designed jet’s battlefield performance.
Pakistan currently produces fewer than 20
JF-17s annually, most of which are allocated to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
Analysts warn that meeting new export orders would require a substantial
expansion of manufacturing capacity, posing a challenge as Islamabad seeks to
establish itself as a major arms supplier to developing nations and a conduit
for China’s defence exports.
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“The JF-17 is a market disruptor due to its
affordability and, more importantly, its recent combat success,” said Manoj
Harjani, a research fellow at Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School of International
Studies. “It’s not hard to imagine it becoming widely adopted by air forces
that cannot afford Western fighter jets.”
Potential sales to Indonesia or Saudi Arabia
would mark a notable shift, as both countries have traditionally relied on
Western aircraft. Indonesia recently received Dassault Rafales under a French
defence deal and agreed in 2023 to purchase 24 Boeing F-15s, while Saudi Arabia
operates mainly US and European platforms and has sought access to the F-35.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have also discussed
converting roughly $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 deal, deepening
defence ties following the signing of a mutual defence pact last year. Pakistan
has similarly held talks with Bangladesh regarding JF-17s and Super Mushshak
trainer aircraft, secured a $4 billion weapons agreement with Libya’s National
Army, and hosted an Indonesian defence delegation to explore aviation
cooperation.
Cost-Effective
Combat Aircraft
Developed under a 1999 agreement between
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s AVIC Chengdu, the JF-17 is a
lightweight, all-weather, multi-role fighter. Former Air Commodore Khalid
Chishti estimates Pakistan’s current production rate at around 16 to 18
aircraft per year.
Affordability remains the jet’s key advantage.
Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj told BBC Urdu last month that the
aircraft costs between $40 million and $50 million per unit, depending on
configuration—far cheaper than Western alternatives such as the Rafale or F-16,
which can exceed $100 million.
Former Air Commodore Abbas Petiwala said the
JF-17’s proven combat record, advanced capabilities and cost-effectiveness have
made it attractive to prospective buyers. “The first thing any country looks at
is a jet’s war record,” he said, referring to the May 2025 clash with India.
To date, the JF-17 has been exported to
Myanmar, Nigeria and Azerbaijan. Myanmar ordered at least 16 aircraft in 2015,
Nigeria inducted three in 2021, and Azerbaijan signed a $1.6 billion deal for
40 jets in 2024, unveiling five during its Victory Day parade in November 2025.
If current interest converts into firm orders,
Pakistan and China would need to significantly expand production. Libya and
Bangladesh are reportedly seeking 16 aircraft each, Saudi Arabia may be
considering up to 50 under a $2 billion deal, and Indonesia is said to be
exploring a purchase of around 40 jets.
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witnesses growing international interest in its fighter jets and other weapons
Meanwhile, the PAF itself needs to replace
more than 250 ageing Mirage and F-7 aircraft. While over 150 JF-17s are already
in service, Pakistan still has 45 export orders pending.
“So far, production capacity has only been
sufficient for Pakistan’s own needs,” said former Air Vice Marshal Faaiz Amir.
“You don’t build export capacity before you have confirmed orders.”
Expanding output would require significant
investment—funds Pakistan may struggle to mobilise, said Sameer Lalwani, a
senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific Program.