Dubai: The Pakistan Army announced a pact with a "friendly country" for the procurement of its JF-17 fighter jet on Thursday. The announcement was made without revealing the name of the country involved in the agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Pakistan Army's media wing stated that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed for the procurement of the JF-17 Thunder. This marks a significant milestone in Pakistan's defense and industrial partnerships. The MoU was finalized during the Dubai Airshow 2025 in the United Arab Emirates, where a Pakistan Air Force contingent is participating.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) highlighted the MoU as a noteworthy development. The Pakistani contingent at the airshow features the advanced JF-17 Thunder Block-III, a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, along with Super Mushshak trainer aircraft. This showcases Pakistan's expertise in indigenous military aviation.
The JF-17 Thunder Block-III is designed for various combat missions, providing contemporary air power options. The JF-17 Thunder Block-II dual-seater fighter aircraft was formally inducted into the Pakistan Air Force fleet in 2020, with production jointly developed by Islamabad and Beijing.
During the event, the JF-17 Thunder Block-III attracted significant attention from defense analysts, aviation specialists, and visitors. Its technology, combat capabilities, and operational performance in Marka-e-Haq reinforced its reputation as an effective multirole fighter. The statement noted increasing international interest in acquiring the JF-17 Thunder, pointing out that Azerbaijan signed a contract last year to buy JF-17 Block-III fighter jets from Pakistan.
Pakistani Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu attended the airshow and engaged in high-level discussions with air chiefs from friendly countries. These engagements included meetings with UAE Defense Undersecretary Lt. Gen. Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al-Alawi and Maj. Gen. Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense.