During the four-day conflict with India in May last year, Pakistan demonstrated not only the effectiveness of Chinese military hardware, but also its own indigenously produced equipment, like the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, the Al-Khalid main battle tank and the Fatah series guided multiple launch rocket system (G-MLRS).
In particular, the JF-17‘s role in the May conflict and in the skirmish with India in 2019 proved the jet’s capabilities in battle. During last year’s war with India, the Thunder was credited with destroying the state-of-the-art S-400 surface-to-missile system deployed by India at Adampur. The jet also made a strong showing at last year’s Dubai Airshow.
Earlier this week, the defence minister said the success of its weapons industry could transform the country’s economic outlook.
“Our aircraft have been tested, and we are receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund in six months,” Khawaja Asif told Geo News.
Here is a brief timeline of arms deals that Pakistan has finalised or is currently discussing with friendly countries since May 2025.
January 10, 2026: Iraqi Air Chief expresses ‘keen interest’ in JF-17
On January 10, Iraqi Air Force Commander Lt Gen Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi praised the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) professionalism during the May conflict and expressed interest in acquiring the battle-proven jets during a visit by PAF Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to Iraq.
According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt Gen Al-Asadi expressed “interest in benefiting from PAF’s world-class training and expressed a keen interest in JF-17 Thunder fighter jets [and] Super Mushshak trainer aircraft”.
January 7: Saudi Arabia in talks for jets-to-loans deal
It was reported earlier this week that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert around $2 billion of Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, two Pakistani sources told Reuters, deepening military cooperation months after the two nations signed a mutual defence pact last year.
One of the sources said the discussions were limited to the provision of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and that the total deal was worth $4 billion, with an additional $2bn to be spent on equipment over and above the loan conversion.
January 6: Bangladesh expresses interest in buying JF-17s
Pakistan and Bangladesh’s air chiefs held detailed discussions on the “potential procurement” of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, ISPR said in a statement.
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu briefed his Bangladeshi counterpart on the PAF’s recent advancements and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Bangladesh Air Force through a comprehensive training framework from basic to advanced flying and specialised courses across PAF institutions, it said.
“He also assured fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem,” it added.
“Detailed discussions were also held on the potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft.”
December 22, 2025: Pakistan finalises arms deal with Libya
Pakistan signed a multi-billion-dollar deal to sell conventional military equipment to the Libyan army last month, entering a select club of countries that export conventional arms and equipment.
A copy of the deal, which was seen by Reuters before it was finalised, listed the purchase of several JF-17 fighter jets and Super Mushak trainer aircraft.
A Pakistani official told Reuters that the deal included the sale of equipment for land, sea and air, spread over two-and-a-half years, adding it could also include the JF-17 fighter jets.
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