Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday claimed that several countries were in talks with Islamabad to acquire its fighter jets following last year's conflict with India. This triggered a major concern for New Delhi.
Addressing a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, Shehbaz said that the demand for Pakistani fighter jets has increased and many countries are "actively engaged with us to acquire the jets," state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
He did not specify the aircraft that were at the centre of talks.
List of countries willing to buy Pakistan's JF-17
However, local media reports said that JF-17 Thunder fighter jets were part of talks with countries like Sudan, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
Some countries were also interested in the Mushshak training aircraft. Shehbaz's remarks came a day after Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Haraj told BBC Urdu in an interview that several countries were interested in buying JF-17 Thunder. “These negotiations are taking place and they take some time. Many countries have shown interest in these aircraft,” the minister was quoted as saying.
Pakistan selling jets to only THESE countries
“I cannot take the name of any country. Neither can I tell on what level our negotiations are with any country,” he said, adding that when these jets are exported, then the world will know which countries have bought them. Haraj also said that Pakistan must ensure that JF-17s were sold to friendly countries so that “they are not used against us”.
He added that China is on board whenever Pakistan signs such a deal with any country. The minister termed the price of the jet “an important” aspect, detailing that while the average value of such planes around the world was $250-350 million, the JF-17 Thunder was cheaper.
Why Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jet sales could worry India
1. Strengthens India’s adversaries: Pakistan is actively marketing the JF-17 (jointly developed with China) to countries in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. If India’s neighbours or hostile states acquire the jet, it could increase military pressure on India from multiple fronts.
2. China’s indirect military expansion: The JF-17 is a China-Pakistan joint project. Every export boosts Chinese defence influence in regions critical to India, reinforcing the China-Pakistan military axis that already challenges India on both the western and northern borders.
3. Potential technology transfer risks: Countries buying JF-17s may share operational data or combat experience with Pakistan or China. This could help them refine tactics against Indian Air Force platforms like the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and Tejas.
4. Pressure on India’s defence planning: Wider JF-17 deployment means India must plan for the aircraft across multiple theatres, increasing surveillance, training, and readiness costs for the IAF.
5. Bottom line: Even if the JF-17 is not a match for India’s top fighters, its exports amplify the China-Pakistan strategic challenge, complicate India’s regional security environment, and force New Delhi to prepare for wider contingencies.
(With inputs from agency)