Islamabad, January 8, 2026 – Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are discussing converting about $2 billion of Saudi loans into a deal for JF-17 jets-, according to Pakistani sources. The move comes months after the two nations signed a mutual defence pact last year.
The discussions focus on supplying Pakistan-made JF-17 jets-, light combat aircraft developed jointly with China. Officials said the jets are the primary option under consideration, while additional equipment could bring the total deal value to $4 billion. Sources spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to comment publicly.
Air Chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu recently visited Saudi Arabia for talks, including on military cooperation. Saudi media reported the visit as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defence ties.
Retired Air Marshal Aamir Masood said Pakistan is also negotiating with six countries to provide military equipment, including JF-17 jets-, electronic systems, and weapons. He highlighted the jets’ combat-tested reliability and cost-effectiveness, noting they were used during Pakistan’s conflict with India in May last year.
The mutual defence pact, signed in September, commits both countries to treat aggression against either side as an attack on both. The pact builds on decades of security cooperation, with Pakistan providing military training and advisory support, and Saudi Arabia offering financial aid during economic crises.
Pakistan has recently expanded its arms sales outreach. Last month, Islamabad signed a $4 billion weapons deal with Libya’s eastern-based National Army, including JF-17 jets- and training aircraft. Talks with Bangladesh for possible JF-17 exports are also ongoing.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan’s growing arms industry could improve the country’s economic outlook. “Our aircraft have been tested, and we are receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the IMF in six months,” he told Geo News.
Pakistan continues to rely on financial support from Gulf allies while under a $7 billion IMF program. Officials see military exports, including JF-17 jets-, as a way to strengthen both defence ties and the national economy.
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