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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s JF-17 Thunder Block-III was a major highlight at the Dubai Airshow 2025, drawing significant interest, as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with a &ldquo;friendly country&rdquo; for the aircraft&rsquo;s procurement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Thursday. According to the military&#39;s media wing, the Pakistan Air Force&#39;s JF-17 was &ldquo;a major focal point,&rdquo; noting that several countries expressed interest in acquiring the fighter jet during the event. The jet is currently in service with the air forces of Pakistan, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Azerbaijan, which recently inducted the Block-III variant. Azerbaijan officially confirmed the induction of five jets into its air force during the November 8, 2025, Victory Day parade in Baku, with the Office of the President confirming that the aircraft have entered active service with the Azerbaijan Air Force and Air Defence Force. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1987130301147914545&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=15030c051fa754a507fe6f4d2911f4fb19c50a51&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 626px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div>The identity of the country that signed the MoU has not yet been publicly disclosed, and no details on the number of aircraft or the financial terms have been released. The ISPR said the MoU represents &ldquo;another important milestone in Pakistan&rsquo;s expanding defence and industrial partnerships.&rdquo;</div> The PAF contingent at the airshow showcased the latest JF-17 Block-III variant, which ISPR described as a reflection of Pakistan&rsquo;s growing indigenous aerospace capability. The Super Mushshak trainer aircraft also featured in the display. On the sidelines of the airshow, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu met senior UAE defence officials, including Lt Gen Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al-Alawi, Undersecretary of Defence, and Maj Gen Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. The ISPR said the discussions focused on advanced training cooperation, emerging aerospace technologies, and enhancing operational coordination between the two air forces. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1991521200200380716&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=15030c051fa754a507fe6f4d2911f4fb19c50a51&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 626px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div>&ldquo;The UAE military leadership lauded PAF&rsquo;s modernization initiatives and growing indigenous capabilities, with a shared resolve to further strengthen military engagement through joint exercises, professional exchanges, and forward-looking partnerships,&rdquo; the ISPR said.</div> JF-17 in combatThe highly capable 4.5-generation fighter, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, has become a key addition to the Pakistan Air Force&rsquo;s modern combat fleet, valued for its multi-role capabilities, including air-to-air combat, precision strikes, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD), and reconnaissance. During the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India, the aircraft was frequently utilized for air defence patrols and precision strike missions along the Line of Control, proving its agility and versatility in modern aerial combat. In 2019, JF-17s were used in the Balakot strikes, providing precision targeting and tactical support. These deployments have strengthened the aircraft&#39;s image as a dependable, combat-proven platform, making it more appealing to potential foreign buyers.

Dubai airshow features the JF-17 Thunder Block-III: Courtesy ISPR

Security

Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Block-III drew international attention at the Dubai Airshow 2025. ISPR confirmed a MoU with a friendly country for its procurement, highlighting the jet’s combat-proven capabilities and export potential.

Pakistan’s JF-17 takes the spotlight at Dubai Airshow, MoU signed with friendly country

ISLAMABAD: The air forces of Pakistan and Iraq have agreed to strengthen military cooperation through enhanced joint exercises, training programs, and aviation industry collaboration, the Pakistani military&rsquo;s media wing said on Thursday.&nbsp;A high-level Iraqi delegation led by Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi met Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters in Islamabad, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).&nbsp;The two commanders discussed expanding bilateral defense ties, with a focus on joint training, capacity building, and aviation advancements. Both sides agreed to conduct regular joint exercises to improve interoperability and operational synergy between the two air forces.&nbsp;The Iraqi commander expressed a desire to restructure Iraq&rsquo;s entire air force training system, from basic to advanced tactical levels, and sought Pakistan&rsquo;s support in developing a modern training framework for Iraqi personnel.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Iraqi commander also highlighted his force&rsquo;s interest in exchange postings with PAF pilots,&rdquo; the ISPR said, &ldquo;underscoring the immense value Iraqi aviators place on learning from Pakistan&rsquo;s combat-proven professionals.&rdquo;&nbsp;Al-Asadi also expressed interest in replicating Pakistan&rsquo;s National Aerospace Science &amp; Technology Park (NASTP) in Iraq. A model that brings together academia, defense industry, and military needs under one structure.&nbsp;Pakistan has been actively pursuing stronger military ties with various countries, particularly in the air force domain, following heightened regional tensions. The ISPR noted that this partnership aligns with broader efforts to boost defense collaboration and regional security.&nbsp;Earlier this year, Pakistan claimed its air force had shot down six Indian fighter jets during a skirmish in May. India acknowledged losing aircraft but disputed the number downed.

Iraqi commander seeks PAF’s help in building a modernized training paradigm, says the Pakistan military.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan Air Force"

Pakistan’s JF-17 takes the spotlight at Dubai Airshow, MoU signed with friendly country

Pakistan, Iraq air forces deepen ties through joint training