Business Desk 
Jan 20, 2026
Several countries are 'actively' engaged in talks with Pakistan to come up with a deal to purchase JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, drones, and missiles.
Islamabad has held talks with 13 countries, six to eight of which are in advanced stage, for deals involving JF-17 jets made jointly with China along with training aircraft, drones, and weapons systems.
However, Pakistan's military and defence ministry didn't provide details on any deals but the Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Haraj announced that several countries were interested in JF-17 fighter jets and other military equipment, but Haraj avoided naming any country, saying: “These are classified matters. I cannot name any country or say at what level our talks with them are."
Speaking to Reuters, Haraj stated: "These talks are taking place (but) they can fall through due to international pressures", terming any negotiations "guarded secrets".
"There are a lot of queries but we are negotiating," said the defence production minister, adding interest had been expressed in air force equipment, ammunition and training.
Haraj also stressed the price difference between Pakistani jets and weapons and alternatives made in the US and Europe. While some Western options may be more technologically advanced, they cost more than three times as much as an approximately $30 million to $40 million JF-17.
Which countries will purchase JF-17 Thunder from Pakistan?
According to the sources, countries engaged in talks include Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Nigeria as well as the government in eastern Libya led by Khalifa Haftar. Discussions on JF-17s and other weapons with Bangladesh and Iraq have been publicly acknowledged by Pakistan's military, although more details have not been made public.
