Pakistan is in defence export talks with 13 countries for JF-17 fighter jets, drones and armoured vehicles after last year’s aerial standoff with India.
Foreign Interest Surges After Aerial Clash With India
Pakistan’s defence manufacturing sector is drawing renewed attention from abroad following last year’s aerial standoff with India, in which the Pakistan Air Force claimed to have shot down Indian combat aircraft. Since then, Islamabad has been actively promoting its locally produced fighter jets, drones, armoured vehicles, and other equipment to friendly countries looking for more affordable alternatives to Western defence suppliers.
According to a report by Reuters, Pakistan has held defence export talks with 13 countries, with six to eight of those discussions now said to be at an advanced stage. The talks cover a range of systems, including the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, which Pakistan co-develops with China, as well as training aircraft, air defence systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition, and mine-resistant armoured vehicles.
Which Countries Are Talking to Pakistan?
Several countries have reportedly expressed formal interest in buying Pakistan-made military hardware. Names that have surfaced include Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Morocco, Ethiopia, Nigeria and the eastern Libyan administration. Pakistan has also publicly acknowledged ongoing defence discussions with Bangladesh and Iraq. Most of these potential customers are Muslim-majority states in the Middle East and Africa, regions where Pakistan has long-standing military and training ties.
Among the most advanced negotiations are those with Bangladesh, where talks reportedly span multiple platforms. These include JF-17 Block III multi-role fighters, MFI-17 Mushshak training aircraft, Shahpar reconnaissance and attack drones, air defence systems, and mine-resistant armoured vehicles. If a deal is finalised, it could become one of Pakistan’s most significant defence export packages in recent years and would further deepen military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.
JF-17 Pricing Advantage and Production Plans
Pricing is a major factor behind the growing interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets. With an estimated unit cost in the range of 30 to 40 million US dollars, the JF-17 is significantly cheaper than many comparable Western fighter aircraft, which can cost more than three times as much once weapons, training, and support packages are included. For countries with limited defence budgets, the JF-17 offers a chance to modernise their air forces without taking on unsustainable levels of debt.
The JF-17 sits at the top of Pakistan’s defence export priorities, alongside training aircraft and drones. Current production is estimated at around 20 fighter jets a year, but officials believe output could increase substantially by the end of 2027 if new export contracts are confirmed. Higher volumes would help lower per-unit costs further and could support a wider ecosystem of local suppliers in avionics, maintenance, and spare parts.
Constraints, Chinese Support, and the Drone Push
Despite the strong interest, Pakistan still faces structural constraints in rapidly expanding its defence manufacturing base. These include financing challenges, technology transfer limits, and the need to scale up skilled manpower in areas such as aerospace engineering, electronics, and precision manufacturing. However, with backing from China—Pakistan’s main strategic and industrial partner—Islamabad is expected to overcome many of these hurdles over time.
The private sector is also playing a growing role, particularly in the fast-moving field of unmanned systems. Several Pakistani firms are now producing reconnaissance drones and loitering munitions for the armed forces, and some of these systems could also be adapted for export. By combining state-owned facilities with private-sector innovation, Pakistan hopes to broaden its defence catalogue beyond the JF-17 and position itself as a competitive mid-tier supplier in global arms markets.
At the same time, defence officials acknowledge that not all of the current discussions will necessarily lead to signed contracts. Export deals can take years to finalise and are influenced by politics, financing, and rival offers from other suppliers. Even so, the sheer number of countries now in talks with Pakistan shows that its post-standoff messaging campaign is having an impact—and that the JF-17, along with drones and armoured vehicles, is firmly at the centre of its long-term defence export strategy.
