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Pakistan Steps Up Fighter Jet Pitch as Iraq Signals Interest, Bangladesh Holds Talks

Islamabad presents the outreach as sovereign defense cooperation with an emphasis on training.

Overview

  • Pakistan’s air chief met his Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad, where an official statement said Iraq expressed interest in acquiring the JF-17 and discussed training, interoperability and future joint exercises.
  • Following talks in Islamabad, the Pakistan Air Force told Bangladesh it could fast-track Super Mushshak trainer deliveries and provide a full training and long-term support ecosystem, with JF-17 procurement under discussion.
  • Pakistan’s Foreign Office rejected Indian comments on the PakistanBangladesh discussions, saying New Delhi has no locus standi and that such cooperation is a sovereign matter.
  • Media reports say Pakistan is in late-stage talks on a $1.5 billion arms package for Sudan and exploring a potential Saudi loan-to-jets conversion for JF-17s, with Turkish interest in a wider security alignment, though none of these have been formally confirmed.
  • Analysts cited in coverage describe Bangladesh’s interest as exploratory rather than a commitment, and separate analysis highlights that reported Saudi interest would face integration and political risks and remains unconfirmed.