Interest in Pakistani Fighter Jets Grows After Recent Military Confrontation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that several countries are holding discussions with Pakistan to acquire its fighter aircraft, citing increased international interest following the performance of Pakistani jets during the May 2025 military confrontation with India.

Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the prime minister stated that demand for Pakistan’s fighter jets had risen significantly after last year’s conflict, adding that multiple countries were actively engaging with Islamabad regarding potential acquisitions.

Separately, Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Haraj confirmed in an interview with BBC that Pakistan was in talks with a number of states over possible exports of the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China.

The minister said discussions were underway with several countries, noting that any export agreement would require approval from China due to its role in the aircraft’s development. “These negotiations take time, and interest from various countries is evident,” he said.

According to a report by Reuters, official sources have indicated that Pakistan has held defence-related discussions with countries including Libya, Sudan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, with a focus on the potential sale of JF-17 jets.

However, Haraj declined to confirm the names of any prospective buyers, stating that details of the negotiations were classified and could not be disclosed publicly.