By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that several countries were in talks with Pakistan to buy its fighter jets, a development he linked to heightened global interest following the country’s military success against India in a brief conflict last year.
The announcement came amid reports of negotiations over the JF-17 Thunder, a multirole combat aircraft developed jointly by Pakistan and China and manufactured in Pakistan. Sharif, addressing a federal cabinet meeting, described the discussions as active and said they would strengthen the nation’s defence industry while aiding its economy. “After Pakistan won the war last year, the demand for Pakistani fighter jets has increased,” he said. “Many countries are actively engaged with us to acquire the jets.”
The remarks followed those of Raza Hayat Harraj, the minister for defence production, who told BBC Urdu in an interview published on Tuesday that Pakistan was discussing potential sales with multiple states. He said the process was deliberate and shrouded in secrecy. “These negotiations are taking place and they take some time,” Harraj said. “Many countries have shown interest in these aircraft.”
He declined to identify the countries or detail the stage of talks, calling such information “jealously guarded secrets.” The exports would only go to friendly nations to avoid any risk of the jets being turned against Pakistan, and that China, as a partner in the project, must approve any deal. “When these jets are exported, then the world will know which countries have bought them,” the minister said.
The JF-17’s appeal, Harraj said, stems partly from its performance in the four-day clash with India in May 2025, when Pakistan’s air force downed six Indian fighter jets, including three French-made Rafales, and numerous drones. “The entire world’s air forces saw these jets’ performance during that time and praised it.” Price is another draw: While similar aircraft globally cost $250 million to $350 million, the JF-17 ranges from $40 million to $50 million, depending on features, the minister said.
He confirmed that China receives a share in sales, as “it is their right.” Production details remain classified, Harraj added, saying the jets as state-of-the-art and noting that components are assembled in both Pakistan and China. He rebuffed questions about capacity, saying, “These are our secrets, let them remain secrets.”
Einar Tangen, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in China, told BBC Urdu that Beijing likely controls key technology in the JF-17, making it the “senior partner” in any export agreement. “China might even increase Pakistan’s defence production, but all this will be in Beijing’s control,” he said.
Recent diplomatic moves also show international interest in the fighter jets. This month, Pakistan’s air force chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, discussed potential JF-17 procurement with his Bangladeshi counterpart. Sidhu also visited Iraq this week, where the Iraqi air chief expressed keen interest in the aircraft. Indonesia’s defence minister, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, met with Pakistani military leaders last week, signaling Jakarta’s intent to deepen defense ties.
Separately, Reuters reported, citing Pakistani sources, that Islamabad and Riyadh were exploring a deal to convert about $2 billion in Saudi loans into JF-17 purchases. The agency also mentioned talks with Libya, Sudan, Bangladesh and Indonesia. In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement. Bloomberg reported last week that Turkey was seeking to join, aligning with Pakistan’s strategic alliances that include China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The surge in interest follows the May 2025 conflict, which erupted after India accused Pakistan of orchestrating an attack that killed 26 tourists occupied Kashmir — a claim Islamabad rejected, calling for a neutral probe. The 87-hour war, between two nuclear powers, ended in a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
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