Pakistan JF-17 Fighter Jet Sales 2026: The $1.5B Sudan Deal and Middle East Shifts

It's a deal that could tilt the scales of a grinding war. Pakistan is reportedly finalizing a $1.5bn agreement to sell its JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Sudan’s military. According to Reuters, the deal comes at a pivotal moment for Sudan, which has been ravaged by conflict for nearly three years, potentially giving the government forces a decisive edge over paramilitary rivals.

Strategic Expansion of Pakistan JF-17 Fighter Jet Sales

The JF-17, a joint production between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, has seen a surge in interest following its combat deployment in May 2025. During a brief but intense standoff with India, the platform's performance alongside J-10 jets validated its 4.5-generation capabilities. Analysts note that battle-tested status often outweighs price, though the jet's $25m to $30m price tag remains a significant draw for Global South militaries.

• Combat Proven: Deployed in the May 2025 conflict against superior numerical formations.
• Advanced Tech: Block 3 variant features AESA radar and electronic warfare systems.
• High Export Growth: Defense exports surged from $13m to over $400m in recent years.

Saudi Alliance and the Geopolitical Tightrope

The anchor for this shift is the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed with Saudi Arabia in September 2025. As Riyadh looks to diversify suppliers away from traditional Western partners, Islamabad has emerged as a reliable security provider. However, Pakistan must tread carefully; while arming the Sudanese military, it is also reportedly negotiating a $4bn deal with Khalifa Haftar in Libya—a move that could spark friction with other regional allies.