Pakistan’s ‘combat tested’ jets boost weapons sales

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2629957/pakistan


https://youtu.be/mtFtps_Oze8?si=sCEDkUWY1ZQoXOmV

Talks underway with at least 13 countries for JF-17 jets, drones and weapons, with several negotiations at an advanced stage.
Analysts say Ukraine and Middle East wars have driven demand for cheaper, non-Western arms despite geopolitical risks.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s defense manufacturing industry is running red hot since its jets, drones and missiles earned the coveted ‘combat tested’ tag in a conflict with India last year, attracting a slew of interested buyers.

Islamabad has held talks with 13 countries, six to eight of which are in an advanced stage, for deals involving JF-17 jets made jointly with China as well as training aircraft, drones, and weapons systems, said three Pakistani sources who have knowledge of defense sales.

Pakistan’s military and defense ministry did not provide details on any deals but the country’s defense production minister confirmed that several countries were interested in jets and other military equipment.

China’s defense ministry did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Analysts believe countries are searching for new supply chains following disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East. Pakistan’s weapons have become a viable alternative after they were tested in a massive air battle with India in May, in which Pakistan’s air force squadrons flew JF-17s alongside the advanced Chinese-made J-10s.

Reuters spoke to six sources privy to defense deals, three retired air force officials, and a dozen analysts who provided insight into Pakistan’s rising weapons industry, including unreported details of negotiations.

While some expressed skepticism about whether Pakistan could navigate geopolitical pressures and increase production capacity, there was consensus that interest in Pakistani military hardware had ‌surged. However, most analysts ‌cautioned talks would not necessarily lead to signed deals.

“These talks are taking place (but) they can fall through due ‌to ⁠international pressures,” Defense Production ‌Minister Raza Hayat Harraj told Reuters, terming any negotiations “guarded secrets.”

“There are a lot of queries but we are negotiating,” he said, adding interest had been expressed in air force equipment, ammunition and training.

Harraj also stressed the price difference between Pakistani jets and weapons and alternatives made in the US and Europe. While some Western options may be more technologically advanced, they cost more than three times as much as an approximately $30 million to $40 million JF-17.

GROWING LIST OF BUYERS

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.

Third Tejas LCA Crash: IAF Grounds Entire Fleet Amid Investigation, HAL Mk1A Delivery Delays Under Scrutiny

https://sundayguardianlive.com/india/third-tejas-lca-crash-in-india...

Third Tejas LCA crash reported at an Indian airbase during landing. Pilot safe, aircraft damaged. Know details, previous crashes and Mk1A delay updates


India’s indigenous fighter jet programme has once again come under scrutiny after a Tejas Light Combat Aircraft met with an accident during landing at a key Indian airbase. The incident marks the third crash involving the Tejas platform in recent years, raising fresh questions about operational readiness and delivery timelines.

Officials confirmed that the pilot ejected safely and did not suffer serious injuries. However, the aircraft sustained major structural damage and has been declared unserviceable by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Authorities have not yet released an official statement on the February 2026 crash.


The accident occurred during the landing phase after a routine training sortie. According to reports, the fighter jet encountered issues while approaching the runway at a prominent Indian airbase. The pilot acted quickly and ejected safely before the aircraft suffered heavy damage.

The Tejas involved in the crash was one of the 32 single-seat Light Combat Aircraft already delivered to the IAF by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. While the pilot escaped unharmed, initial assessments suggest that the aircraft has sustained serious structural damage, making it unfit for immediate service.