Overview
- Defense Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj confirmed Pakistan is negotiating with multiple governments to sell the JF-17 and said exports would be limited to friendly countries.
- Reuters reporting cited by local outlets says Indonesia is in advanced talks for about 40 aircraft and has shown interest in Pakistan’s Shahpar drones.
- Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have discussed converting roughly $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 purchase, according to Reuters, a move analysts say could complicate Riyadh’s bid for the U.S. F-35.
- Harraj emphasized that China must be a party to any agreement due to its co-development role and technology rights in the program.
- Officials are touting the jet’s recent combat use, while withholding output capacity and delivery timelines; recent engagements also include discussions with Bangladesh and Iraq.