With it showing interest in the Chinese J-31/J-35 and Turkish KAAN, the Pakistan Air Force could be embarking on its most significant induction yet.
The brief clash underscored a need for the PAF to expand the procurement pipeline across less developed areas, like drones, SAMs, EW/ESM, and ‘smart munitions’.
The U.S. unfroze $397 million USD in military aid earmarked for ensuring that Pakistan only uses its F-16 fighter jets for counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
The rise of insurgent activity in Pakistan’s western frontiers could push the country ti prioritize COIN/CT-fcoused arms.
Combined with the growing ecosystem of weapons and sensors, a large domestic order could drive significant foreign interest in the Shahpar-III.
Last week, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) kicked off Indus Shield 2024, a large-scale multinational air exercise involving as many as 24 other countries.
On 25 September 2024, the official website of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan announced that the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) JF-17C Block-III was “integrated into the arsenal of Azerbaijan’s Air Force.”
Pakistan’s past history of handing an original fighter program does not bode well for the PFX.
Iraq reportedly “expressed a strong interest” in acquiring the JF-17 from Pakistan.
Bilal Khan
Founder of Quwa, Bilal has been researching Pakistani defence industry and security issues for over 15 years. His work has been cited by Pakistan's National Defence University (NDU), the Council of Foreign Relations, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Centre of Airpower…