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From Southeast Asia to the Middle East: Pakistan’s (and China’s) low-cost fighter deals
From Indonesia and Saudi Arabia to Sudan and Libya, Pakistan has expanded defence deals in recent months with JF-17 fighter sales, jointly produced with China that proved ITS versatility during the conflict with India last May. This affordable aircraft is increasingly central to Beijing and Islamabad's military and diplomatic strategy.
Islamabad (AsiaNews) – Indonesia is set to ink a defence agreement with Pakistan that, according to Reuters, also includes the sale of drones and fighter jets.
In particular, Jakarta is reportedly considering the purchase of up to 40 JF-17 Thunder fighters, jointly produced with China, which demonstrated their versatility (and lethality) in the brief conflict between India and Pakistan that broke out in May last year.
According to Pakistani reports and Chinese sources, Chinese-made jets shot down at least one Indian Air Force Rafale, a claim never confirmed by Delhi.
Since then, several countries have shown interest in purchasing JF-17s, which have already been bought by Nigeria and Azerbaijan.
Reuters also reported a US$ 1.5 billion deal is nearing completion with the Sudanese military, which is engaged in a civil war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force that has received military support from the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan recently also finalised a defence agreement with Morocco, while in December, the Pakistan Air Force concluded a US$ 4 billion deal, including 16 jets, with the Libyan National Army, which controls the eastern part of the country despite a UN embargo on arms sales to the North African nation.
In posts on X the past month, the Pakistan Air Force also reported that Iraq and Bangladesh expressed interest in light fighters.
The mutual defence deals signed with Saudi Arabia in September have also received considerable attention. This month, a US$ 2 billion Pakistani debt could be converted into a deal to supply the Mideast country with JF-17s.
If confirmed, this would mark “a big win” for Beijing, several analysts believe, especially considering that US President Donald Trump had authorised the sale of several F-35s to Saudi Arabia, which, along with Israel, is Washington's main ally in the Middle East.
However, the Israeli attack against the Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar (along with the possibility that Trump's authorisation might be rejected by Congress) has pushed Gulf countries towards more reliable alternatives.
The JF-17's popularity is linked to its versatility and lower costs compared to Western-produced fighters such as the French Rafale and the Eurofighter.
It is a simple and streamlined aircraft with a single engine, so it consumes less fuel and is easier to handle than large twin-engine fighters, despite its lower power.
The JF-17 is not designed for intercontinental operations, but for regional conflicts (which are increasingly frequent) where the defence of national airspace is necessary.
Its avionics, the "brain" of the aircraft that includes the onboard electronic systems, has been updated with latest-generation Chinese technology.
The latest version, known as Block III, features an active electronically scanned array radar, capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets even in difficult conditions. Pilots have digital displays and a helmet that projects information directly into their eyes, reducing workload and increasing electronic assistance.
In terms of weapons, the JF-17 can employ missiles against other aircraft, guided weapons against ground targets, and anti-ship missiles, making it quite flexible, although it does not reach the level of the most advanced fighters.
Its main strength, however, remains its cost, which is around US$ 25–30 million per aircraft, compared to three or four times more for the Rafale or F-35.
Added to this are easier maintenance, less expensive spare parts, and the possibility of local assembly.
The JF-17 Thunder is the result of industrial and strategic collaboration between Pakistan and China.
In Pakistan, it is built at a state-owned plant in Kamra, while the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group is responsible for basic design and provides technological support and key components.
From the outset, this fighter was designed to be simple to produce, easy to maintain and upgrade over time, without requiring the entire aircraft to be redesigned.
This approach is in many ways the opposite of Western programmes, which are subject to stricter controls and require more extensive authorisations for export.
The latter is an issue that neither Beijing nor Islamabad are particularly concerned about.
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