Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as JF-17 orders soar from Muslim countries

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system

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A visitor takes a look at a JF-17 jet fighter during an air show in Dubai in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:52pm, 15 Jan 2026Updated: 11:12am, 16 Jan 2026

Pakistan is increasingly confident of making billion-dollar arms sales, headlined by the JF-17 fighters its co-produces with China, as up to six Muslim-majority countries look to upgrade their air forces amid growing geopolitical turbulence and civil wars.

A preliminary deal worth US$4 billion was struck last month with the Libyan National Army for an unspecified number of JF-17s and other training aircraft manufactured by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Reuters reported, citing Aamir Masood, an unofficial spokesman for Pakistan’s military.

The Libyan National Army, backed by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, controls Libya’s east and rivals the internationally recognised Islamist government in Tripoli, which is supported by Qatar and Turkey.

Masood, a retired Pakistan Air Force air marshal, said a separate US$1.5 billion package had effectively been finalised with Sudan’s military government for light-attack aircraft, surveillance, suicide drones and possibly JF-17s. The deal could help Khartoum gain a decisive advantage over the rebel Rapid Support Forces.

Pakistan is also discussing a US$4 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, according to Masood. Both countries signed a mutual defence pact in September, soon after Israeli warplanes bombed Hamas negotiators in Qatar.

Islamabad has reportedly floated an “arms-for-debt” component worth around US$2 billion, possibly involving Riyadh’s financing of the Sudan sale. But such a proposal is politically complicated by the fact that Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey support the Sudanese military regime, while the UAE backs the Rapid Support Forces.

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Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as JF-17 orders soar from Muslim countries

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system