【Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Negotiate for the "JF-17" Fighter Jet Deal】
According to Reuters on January 7, 2026, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are conducting quiet but in-depth negotiations to convert part of Saudi's financial aid to Pakistan into a major defense procurement, with the core content being the purchase of the JF-17 "Thunder" multi-role fighter jet (also known as the "FC-1 Xiaolong" fighter jet jointly developed by China and Pakistan). Several Pakistani military sources familiar with the negotiations said that the proposal would convert about $2 billion in loans into orders for fighter jets, weapons, training, and后勤保障. If finalized, the total value could reach $4 billion.
The background of these negotiations is a landmark Saudi-Pakistan joint defense agreement signed in September 2025. According to the agreement, both sides pledged to view any aggression against one side as a common threat. The agreement was signed in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia and Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif of Pakistan, formally establishing the decades-long close military cooperation between the two countries. The proposed JF-17 transaction is widely seen as the first step toward translating this political commitment into combat capability.
The core of the negotiation is the JF-17 "Thunder" fighter jet, a light single-engine multi-role fighter jet jointly developed by the Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Company of China. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is responsible for 58% of the joint production of the airframe, with final assembly and testing conducted in Kalam, giving Islamabad considerable control over production rhythm and export customization. It is believed that Saudi Arabia focuses on the latest Block III version, which is equipped with KLJ-7A active phased array radar, upgraded electronic warfare kits, improved sensor fusion systems, and helmet-mounted display systems.
Technically, the JF-17 is positioned as a cost-controlled yet operationally flexible fighter jet. It uses a Klimov RD-93 turbofan engine, with a maximum speed of approximately 1.6 Mach, an operational radius of more than 1,300 kilometers, and can be extended through aerial refueling. The cockpit features a glass cockpit with three multifunctional displays and a wide-angle holographic head-up display, with an open avionics architecture that facilitates relatively rapid integration of new weapons and sensors. The aircraft has seven external hardpoints, with a maximum external load of more than 3,600 kilograms, capable of mixing air-to-air missiles, precision-guided weapons, anti-ship weapons, and anti-radiation missiles, while retaining a 23mm machine gun for close-range dogfights.
For Saudi Arabia, this potential procurement must be considered against the backdrop of its status as one of the most powerful air forces in the Middle East. The Royal Saudi Air Force currently has a high-end fleet centered around F-15C, F-15SA "Eagle" fighter jets, European Eurofighter Typhoon jets, and older Tornado attack jets, supported by airborne early warning aircraft, aerial refueling aircraft, and intelligence platforms. These aircraft provide Riyadh with long-range strike, air superiority, and deterrent capabilities, but their procurement and operating costs are high, and they are primarily optimized for high-intensity warfare.
In this context, defense analysts believe that the JF-17 will not replace Saudi's frontline Western fighter jets but will serve as a complement. Lightweight multi-role platforms like the JF-17 can carry out air patrols, routine patrols, training transitions, and regional emergency operations, thereby freeing up expensive assets such as the F-15SA and Eurofighter Typhoon to perform strategic tasks. Its relatively low maintenance requirements, lower cost per flight hour, and broad weapon compatibility may be attractive for sustained operations and expanding force availability without significantly increasing the budget.
Recent visits by the Chief of the Pakistan Air Force, General Zahir Ahmad Baber Siddiqui, to Saudi Arabia further highlight the seriousness of the negotiations. Saudi media confirmed that his talks focused on military cooperation, and defense sources stated that air force collaboration was a key issue, including concepts for force integration, pilot training systems, and logistics support frameworks.
From a strategic perspective, the significance of this deal goes beyond increasing the number of fighter jets. As Saudi Arabia reevaluates its long-term reliance on traditional Western suppliers and faces an uncertain future American regional commitment, its defense partnerships are increasingly diversified. Incorporating fighter jets manufactured in Pakistan into the inventory will deepen military interoperability with Islamabad - Pakistan has provided training, consultant deployments, and security support to Saudi Arabia for decades. For Pakistan, winning Saudi Arabia as a customer for the JF-17 would be a significant recognition of its domestic defense industry and inject strong momentum into its expanding weapons export strategy.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1853789434991818/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.