January 16, 2026
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Published by Aeyan Raza
January 9, 2026
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday dismissed media reports claiming that an agreement had been reached to supply JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, saying no such deal is known at this stage.
The clarification came after an international news report suggested that Islamabad and Riyadh were in discussions to convert nearly $2 billion in Saudi loans into a defence deal centered on the supply of JF-17 aircraft. According to that report, the total value of the proposed arrangement could reach $4 billion, including additional spending on military equipment.
Addressing the issue during a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia do share long-standing defence relations, but stressed that there is currently no confirmed agreement regarding the sale of fighter jets.
“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have deep-rooted and wide-ranging cooperation, including in defence,” Andrabi said. “However, we are not aware of any such deal at this point. If any development takes place, it will be shared through proper channels.”
The JF-17 Thunder is a light, multi-role fighter aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China and manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. Over the years, it has become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force and has also attracted interest from several countries looking for cost-effective modern combat aircraft.
The reports surfaced soon after Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia. During the visit, he met senior Saudi military leaders, including the commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Saudi chief of general staff.
According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Air Force, the meetings focused on enhancing cooperation in areas such as joint training, operational coordination, and the exchange of professional expertise. While the statement did not mention any aircraft sales, analysts believe such high-level engagements often spark speculation about deeper defence collaboration.
Defence experts say the timing of these reports is notable. Pakistan is currently navigating economic pressure and looking to expand defence exports, while Saudi Arabia is reassessing its security partnerships amid shifting regional dynamics and uncertainty over long-term US commitments in the Middle East.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also signed a mutual defence agreement earlier, following regional tensions linked to Israeli military actions. This agreement has further fueled discussion about broader military cooperation between the two allies.
While some regional platforms have also reported that Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan could be considering a wider defence pact, none of the countries involved have officially confirmed such plans.
For now, Islamabad’s position remains clear: there is no confirmed JF-17 deal with Saudi Arabia. Officials say speculation should be treated cautiously until formal announcements are made.
As defence ties in the region continue to evolve, any concrete agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would likely carry significant strategic and economic implications but for now, it remains just that: speculation.
