Arms race
The New "Islamic Air Force"? Muslim Nations Scramble to Buy Pakistan’s "Rafale-Killer" Jet
Report: Following a "flash war" where Pakistani jets allegedly downed French-made Indian fighters, nations from Saudi Arabia to Libya are rushing to acquire the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17.
A frantic arms race is underway across the Muslim world, with Pakistan emerging as the unexpected supplier of choice. According to a new report by The Cradle and Reuters, multiple Muslim-majority states are in advanced talks to acquire the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, co-produced by Pakistan and China.
According to the report, during a "flash war" between India and Pakistan last year, Islamabad deployed the Chinese-Pakistani aircraft in massive dogfights involving over 100 jets.
Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft during the engagement, including three advanced French-made Rafale jets. While exact numbers vary, U.S. officials later confirmed that at least two Indian jets were lost before a ceasefire was brokered.
The Buyers: Billions on the Table
Retired Pakistan Air Force Air Marshal Aamir Masood told Reuters that several major deals are now in the pipeline:
The Saudi Angle: Arms-for-Debt
Perhaps the most significant development is a potential $4 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia.
Reports indicate that Islamabad and Riyadh are discussing an "arms-for-debt" swap, converting approximately $2 billion in Saudi loans into a purchase of the fighter jets.
The deal highlights a deepening military alliance between the two Sunni powers. In September, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reportedly signed a mutual defense pact, a move that observers say came "soon after Israeli warplanes bombed Hamas negotiators in Qatar."
The surge in sales marks a geopolitical pivot. By opting for the JF-17, these nations are reducing their reliance on Western (US/French) and Russian suppliers, moving instead toward a defense ecosystem anchored by Pakistan and China.