THE growing interest of different countries in Made in Pakistan defence products puts a seal on the country’s excellent professionalism and defence production capabilities.
This is evident from the fact that yet another country – Indonesia – has reportedly expressed keen interest in the acquisition of Pakistan’s state-of-the-art JF-17 thunder fighter aircraft and Shahpar drones designed for surveillance and striking targets. According to Reuter, the talks, which are in an advanced stage, involve sale of about forty JF-17 multi-role combat planes yet no details were available on cost and delivery schedule.
It is understood that there has been a dramatic surge in demand for battle-tested JF-17, drones and missiles that played a crucial role in determining fate of the May short war between Pakistan and India. Pakistan downed not only multiple Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale aircraft but also used JF-17 Thunder jets to destroy India’s S-400 air defence system in Adampur by using hypersonic missiles during the four-day war. The fighter jet was also the highlight of last year’s Dubai Airshow 2025 where different countries showed interest in the plane. Indonesia is implementing a fleet replacement programme and for this purpose it has initiated contacts with countries like China, France and Turkiye for acquisition of fighter jets and inclusion of Pakistan in the list of prospective arms suppliers has boosted the country’s credentials as a manufacturer of quality modern equipment, which performed well during conflict with India. Pakistan and Indonesia have a robust relationship with the two countries having an identity of views on most of the regional and global issues and their bilateral trade standing at $4.5b.
During President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Pakistan in December last year, the leadership of the two countries agreed to enhance bilateral trade, expand cooperation in health, agriculture, Information Technology, science & education and deepen coordination on regional and global issues, including Palestine. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif offered to send doctors, dentists, medical professors, and other health experts to Indonesia to help meet needs of Indonesian medical universities and hospitals whereas Jakarta favourably responded to proposals aimed at improving the balance of trade. The reported defence deal will surely help bring the two countries closer and serve their security and economic interests.
