The JF-17 Thunder, a lightweight combat aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan, has increasingly featured in regional defence discussions in recent weeks. Official statements and media reports indicate that Pakistan is engaged in formal talks with Bangladesh over a potential JF-17 sale, while Saudi Arabia is in discussions to convert roughly $2 billion in loans into a JF-17 deal as part of a broader military partnership. At the same time, reports suggest that Indonesia has negotiated a defence package with Pakistan that could include more than 40 JF-17 jets, and Iraq has signalled interest in both the fighter and associated support systems, underscoring the aircraft’s emerging profile across Asia and the Middle East.
Beyond these negotiations, some accounts suggest that Pakistan has already secured significant defence agreements, including the JF-17 sale in other regions as well; multi-billion-dollar deals are in different stages with Libya, Sudan, and Azerbaijan. Pakistan has been promoting the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet in South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, as a combat-proven, cost-effective alternative to Western fighters. These reports clearly suggest that the JF-17 has emerged as a diplomatic instrument as much as a military product, allowing Pakistan to convert defence production into strategic signalling at a moment of economic strain and shifting geopolitical alignments.
What is the JF-17 Thunder?
The JF-17 Thunder is a lighter, single-engine, multirole combat aircraft developed jointly by Pakistan and China. It is designed to replace Pakistan’s ageing fleets and reduce its dependence on the more expensive Western fleets. The jet is promoted for its affordability, cheap maintenance and compatibility with a range of Chinese weapons and avionics. For Pakistan, the JF-17 is an air force asset that is its most viable defence export product.
The aircraft has multiple variants operating in Pakistan, including the more advanced Block III version, which the country claims features improved radar, electronic warfare capabilities and beyond visual-range missile integration.
Why is Pakistan Promoting the JF-17 Thunder?
The timing of Pakistan’s aggressive promotion is not incidental. Following the May 2025 India-Pakistan military confrontation, Pakistani officials and military leaders have attempted to portray the JF-17 as “combat-tested,” claiming that its operational deployment has proven its credibility. Despite such a rationale being disputed and independently unverifiable, Pakistan has leaned on this narrative to market the aircraft globally.
Meanwhile, the promotion of the aircraft also results from pressure, as the country undergoes fiscal stress, limited export options and is actively seeking foreign exchange, alternative revenue streams, and international alignment. Expansion of defence exports caters to multiple goals at once—generating revenue, portraying technological capability and reinforcing its relevance as a regional military actor.
Bangladesh, a Potential Buyer?
Bangladesh has emerged as a prominent potential customer. There have been High-level talks between the Pakistani Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu and his counterpart in Bangladesh, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan. The discussions focused on the possible acquisition of JF-17 jets, including pilot training, maintenance support, and a larger defence cooperation.
Dhaka’s interest can also be read through the lens of diversification. Bangladesh intends to modernise its ageing air fleet, and remains sensitive to both cost and operational flexibility. The JF-17’s relatively low cost and absence of Western conditional constraints make it an attractive option, despite no confirmed agreement yet.
These defence discussions coincide with a general warming of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations. After more than a decade, direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi may resume, indicating an improvement in diplomatic as well as people-to-people engagement. Military contacts have also increased, and the official rhetoric has emphasised cooperation above historical grievances on both sides. For Bangladesh, this can be perceived as diversification to keep multiple diplomatic and defence channels open, all while preserving autonomy.
How did India Respond?
The Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is “closely monitoring” Bangladesh-Pakistan talks on the JF-17, emphasising that New Delhi is keeping a watch on developments affecting its national security. From a military perspective, the induction of JF-17s into Bangladesh’s air force does not alter the regional balance of power. India’s air force remains superior in size, capability, and technological depth. The concern is less about the aircraft itself and more about the strategic signalling and long-term regional patterns.
The China Factor
A key underlying factor is China’s role. Although Pakistan is the visible exporter, the JF-17 is a joint Sino-Pakistani platform, implying any sale also extends Chinese defence technology, logistics, and influence into new markets. “The deal is a way of expanding China’s geopolitical influence through defence-industrial partnerships,” said Liselotte Odgaard, non-resident senior fellow at Hudson Institute, to South China Morning Post. For India, which already tracks China’s expanding footprint across South Asia, this adds a layer of strategic calculation. Defence platforms tend to lock in long-term training, maintenance, and doctrinal relationships, making even modest sales politically relevant over time.
Interest Beyond South Asia
Pakistan’s promotion of the JF-17 has translated into sales as well as advanced negotiations with several countries. Islamabad is currently in the process of supplying 40 JF-17 fighter jets to Azerbaijan under a $4.6 billion defence agreement, marking its most significant export success. It has reportedly concluded a defence deal worth over $4 billion with the Khalifa Haftar-led Libyan National Army to supply 16 JF-17 jets and 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft. It is also in the final phases of striking a $1.5 billion deal to supply JF-17 and weapons to Sudan. Alongside the confirmed agreements, Pakistan has held exploratory talks with Iraq through meetings between air force chiefs. For Saudi Arabia, Pakistani sources say discussions are underway to convert roughly $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, which would deepen military cooperation following the signing of a mutual defence pact last year. These sales and negotiations highlight Pakistan’s ambition to position the JF-17 as a viable option for budget-constrained air forces seeking alternatives to Western suppliers.
Pakistan’s pushing JF-17 attempts to convert operational defence narratives into export credibility, to deepen diplomatic ties through defence cooperation, and to project relevance at a time of economic and strategic pressure. For India, the developments warrant attention but not alarm.