KABUL: Pakistani sources have confirmed that discussions are ongoing between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia regarding a deal for the JF-17 fighter jets, which are jointly manufactured by Pakistan and China.
The news was reported by the analytical news agency “Pakistan Defense Forum,” citing two unnamed credible sources on Wednesday evening.
According to the sources, Pakistan is seeking to convert a $2 billion loan from Saudi Arabia into a contract for selling JF-17 fighter jets to the Kingdom. The total value of this contract is expected to be $4 billion, with the remaining $2 billion allocated for the procurement of equipment to manufacture the jets.
The report indicates that if these discussions succeed, military cooperation between Riyadh and Islamabad will deepen and become operational a few months after the signing of a defense pact.
The sources also mentioned that Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan of Pakistan’s Air Force has traveled to Riyadh to engage in discussions with Saudi counterparts.
Previously, Reuters reported on these ongoing talks between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, citing reliable sources. The JF-17 Thunder aircraft are lightweight combat jets co-developed by Beijing and Islamabad in Pakistan.