ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s defence manufacturing sector is witnessing an uptick in international interest following the “combat-tested” status of its jets, drones, and missiles during last year’s conflict with India, according to a Reuters report.
The report cited three Pakistani sources with knowledge of defence sales, saying Islamabad has held discussions with 13 countries, with six to eight deals reportedly in an advanced stage. The deals involve the JF-17 fighter jets, jointly produced with China, as well as training aircraft, drones, and various weapons systems.
The recognition of Pakistan’s defence products as combat-tested has significantly boosted their appeal in the global market, highlighting the country’s growing capabilities in defence manufacturing.
Officials believe these developments could lead to major defence export contracts, further strengthening Pakistan’s position in the international defence industry.
“Pakistan “is becoming more relevant as a flexible, mid-tier provider of defence capacity,” said @andreas_krieg, a lecturer at King’s College London’s security studies department.https://t.co/ylIu3VIer8
— Dr Andreas Krieg (@andreas_krieg) January 20, 2026
The report says that the sources said 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.
Almost all the potential buyers are Muslim-majority nations, like Pakistan. Many are from the predominantly Muslim Middle East, where Pakistan has historically been a security provider.
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