Islamabad’s defence industry is quietly expanding its footprint across the Middle East and North Africa, as a growing number of Arab states explore closer military cooperation with Pakistan, driven by shifting geopolitical realities and a search for reliable, cost-effective security partners.
At the centre of this emerging trend is Pakistan’s jointly developed JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, produced with China, which has attracted interest from several countries in the Gulf and beyond. Reports in recent weeks suggest that Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Libya are among states exploring defence procurement or cooperation arrangements with Islamabad, a development that could mark a significant evolution in Pakistan’s traditional role in the Arab world.
For decades, Pakistan’s military engagement in the region focused largely on training, advisory missions and security assistance. Today, analysts say, that relationship is becoming more transactional and strategic, with weapons sales, joint exercises and defence agreements gaining momentum.
The shift is underpinned by Pakistan’s 2025 Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia, which institutionalised security cooperation between the two long-time allies. The pact has opened the door to deeper interoperability, intelligence sharing and potential equipment standardisation, at a time when Gulf states are reassessing their dependence on traditional Western suppliers amid global political uncertainty.
The JF-17, a multi-role combat aircraft with modern radar, electronic warfare systems and beyond-visual-range missile capability, has emerged as a key attraction. Cheaper than Western fighters and now combat-tested, it offers countries a platform that balances performance with affordability and flexible supply chains. Its joint production with China also gives it geopolitical appeal for states seeking to diversify partners without fully pivoting away from the West.
Sudan’s reported negotiations with Pakistan, potentially worth over a billion dollars, are seen by observers as particularly significant, given the country’s ongoing conflict and the strategic implications of external military support. At the same time, Iraq’s interest and Saudi Arabia’s exploration of complementary platforms point to a broader regional recalibration rather than isolated deals.
Yet the expansion comes with diplomatic risks. The Arab world is deeply divided, and Pakistan’s engagement with rival camps could test its ability to remain balanced. Supplying or supporting one actor may strain relations with another, especially in theatres such as Sudan, Libya and Yemen, where regional powers back opposing sides.
Economically, defence exports also offer Islamabad a potential lifeline. Pakistan is seeking new sources of foreign currency as it works to stabilise its economy, and military sales — from aircraft and drones to armoured vehicles and ammunition — are increasingly viewed as a strategic export sector.
More broadly, Pakistan’s rising profile reflects a changing global arms market. As competition between major powers intensifies and supply chains become politicised, many countries are turning to mid-tier producers that can deliver capable systems without heavy political conditionality.
In this evolving landscape, Pakistan is positioning itself as a pragmatic security partner — technologically competent, politically flexible and strategically aligned with both China and key Arab states. Whether this translates into long-term influence or exposes Islamabad to complex regional rivalries will depend on how carefully it navigates the Middle East’s shifting fault lines.
