By Uzma Ehtasham
The growing international interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet marks a moment that deserves closer attention than it has so far received. At first glance, it may appear to be another routine development in the competitive world of defence sales, where countries constantly showcase platforms and court potential buyers. In reality, it points to something deeper: a gradual but meaningful shift in how Pakistan is perceived within an evolving regional and global security environment. For a country more often discussed in the context of instability or dependency, this emerging confidence in its defence capability signals a different narrative, one rooted in technological maturity, institutional resilience and strategic intent.
The JF-17 Thunder, jointly developed with China, is not merely an aircraft; it is the product of a long and at times uneven journey towards self-reliance in defence production. Pakistan’s defence industry has historically been shaped by necessity rather than choice, constrained by sanctions, political pressure and limited access to advanced technology. Over time, those constraints forced the country to invest in indigenous capacity, build partnerships beyond traditional western suppliers and cultivate a defence ecosystem capable of designing, producing and sustaining complex systems. The interest now being shown by multiple countries suggests that this effort is beginning to pay dividends. That momentum was clearly visible during the recent visit of Indonesia’s defence minister, Lieutenant General (retd) Jafri Shamsuddin.
His meetings with Pakistan’s top military leadership and civilian defence officials were notable not for their pageantry, but for their substance. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the conversations went beyond courtesy calls and reaffirmations of goodwill. They reflected a shared awareness that security challenges are becoming more interconnected, more technologically driven and less amenable to old, transactional forms of military cooperation. In discussions with Pakistan’s chief of army staff and chief of defence forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the focus rested on the broader regional and global security environment and the opportunities it creates for closer bilateral cooperation. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional links, expanding training collaboration and exploring partnerships in defence production. This language matters.
It suggests a shift away from buyer-seller dynamics towards relationships based on shared capacity and long-term planning, where skills, systems and experience are exchanged rather than simply purchased. A similar emphasis emerged in the meeting with the air chief marshal, Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu. Air power today is no longer defined solely by the number of aircraft a country possesses, but by how effectively it integrates technology, training, infrastructure and doctrine. The Pakistan Air Force has spent years investing in these areas, often quietly and without external fanfare. By briefing the Indonesian minister on its modernization drive, including infrastructure upgrades, training reforms and the acquisition of specialized capabilities, the PAF was presenting itself not just as an operator of platforms, but as an institution capable of sustaining and evolving them.
Indonesia’s interest in procuring the JF-17 Thunder and Pakistan-manufactured drones is therefore significant on multiple levels. Practically, it opens the door to defence exports that could bring much-needed foreign exchange and help stabilize Pakistan’s fragile economy. Symbolically, it serves as validation of Pakistan’s progress as a defence producer. Over the past two decades, the country has moved steadily from being a net importer of military hardware to a state that can offer a range of platforms, from fighter aircraft to unmanned systems, missile technology and cyber capabilities. This transition has not been accidental. It reflects sustained investment in human capital, research and development, and industrial infrastructure.
It also reflects a willingness to learn from operational experience, adapt designs to real-world conditions and incrementally improve systems rather than chase unattainable perfection. The JF-17, in particular, has benefited from this approach, evolving through successive blocks to incorporate improved avionics, weapons integration and survivability features. For a major country such as Indonesia, with its own complex security challenges and strategic ambitions, to seriously consider Pakistani defence platforms is a clear endorsement of this trajectory. Yet it would be a mistake to view such interest as an end in itself.
Defence exports are as much about credibility and trust as they are about technology. Buyers seek assurances not only of performance, but of reliability, transparency and long-term support. In this sense, Pakistan’s real test lies ahead. To convert interest into lasting partnerships, Pakistan will need to refine its defence diplomacy with care and professionalism. Producing capable hardware is only one part of the equation. Equally important are the frameworks that govern contracts, financing, technology transfer and after-sales support. Delays, opaque processes or inadequate maintenance arrangements can quickly erode confidence, no matter how impressive the platform itself may be.
(The writer is a public health professional, journalist, and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
