Pakistan’s arms exports surge after conflict with India

The JF-17 fighter jet proved its capabilities in the 2019 conflict with India and the war in May last year.

The four-day conflict with India in May last year was not only a display of military power, but also a major turning point for Pakistan's arms exports. In that conflict, Islamabad was able to showcase the effectiveness of its battle-tested fighter jets, tanks and rocket systems. Since then, one country after another has shown interest in Pakistani weapons, which has opened up new possibilities for the defense industry and economy of the nuclear-armed South Asian country.

According to the media outlet The Dawn, in the four-day conflict with India in May last year, Pakistan not only showcased the effectiveness of Chinese military equipment, but also the capabilities of weapons made using its own domestic technology. In this conflict, Pakistan used JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter aircraft, Al-Khalid battle tanks and Fatah series guided multiple launch rocket systems (G-MLRS).

JF-17 fighter aircraft in particular proved their capabilities in the 2019 conflict with India and in the war in May last year. In the war last year, Pakistan claimed that this fighter aircraft destroyed the sophisticated S-400 air defense missile system deployed in Adampur, Punjab, India. At the same time, the JF-17 also made a strong presence at last year's Dubai Airshow.

Earlier this week, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that this success of the arms industry could change the country's economic future. Khawaja Asif also told Geo News, "Our aircraft are field-tested. We are getting so many orders that within six months, Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund (IMF).’ Here is a brief timeline of the countries with which Pakistan has finalized or is in talks since May last year.

January 12, 2026: Indonesia wants to buy more than 40 JF-17 fighter jets

A possible defense deal between Pakistan and Indonesia for the sale of fighter jets and drones is nearing completion, Reuters reported. The deal could include advanced combat fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones. The report said that the Indonesian defense minister recently met with the Pakistani air force chief. The possibility of buying fighter jets and drones was discussed there.

Reuters, citing a source, said that the main topic of discussion between the Indonesian defense minister and the Pakistani air force chief was the sale of the JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jet. The fighter jet is a joint venture between Pakistan and China. Drones used for surveillance and attack were also discussed in the meeting.

Two other sources said that the talks are now at an advanced stage. The deal between the two countries could include more than 40 JF-17 fighter jets. At the same time, Indonesia has also shown interest in Pakistan's Shahpur drones.

Both the Indonesian Defense Ministry and the Pakistani military confirmed that Indonesian Defense Minister Safri Shamsuddin met with Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zahir Ahmed Babar Sidhu.

An Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman said that the meeting focused on overall defense cooperation, strategic dialogue and long-term prospects. However, no final decisions have been taken yet.

The Pakistani military said that the Indonesian Defense Minister also met with Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. The regional and global security situation and ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation were discussed.

January 10, 2026: Iraq 'deeply interested' in buying JF-17s

During a meeting with Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu during his visit to Iraq on January 10 this year, Iraqi Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammad Radi al-Asadi praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Air Force in the May conflict. At the same time, he expressed his interest in buying the field-tested JF-17 fighter jets.
The Iraqi air chief is keen to take advantage of the Pakistan Air Force's world-class training system and has also shown interest in buying JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, a statement from the Pakistan military's public relations wing, ISPR, said. January 7: Saudi Arabia in talks to convert loan into fighter jets

A report published this week said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert a Saudi loan worth about $2 billion into a deal to buy JF-17 fighter jets. Two Pakistani sources told Reuters this information. The talks began months after the two countries signed a mutual defense agreement last year.

A source said the talks are mainly focused on the supply of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. The entire deal is worth about $4 billion, of which another $2 billion could be spent on additional equipment outside of the debt conversion. January 6: Bangladesh expresses interest in buying JF-17s

The air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held detailed discussions on the possibility of buying JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, the ISPR said.

The statement said Air Chief Marshal Sidhu had met the Bangladesh Air Force Chief