The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet has gained significant attention at the Dubai Airshow 2025. Pakistan, as a state, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a friendly nation for the acquisition of a modern fighter jet.
In a statement, the ISPR stated that the MoU signing marked “another significant milestone in Pakistan’s expanding defence and industrial partnerships”.
The interest in JF-17 Thunder highlighted increasing international trust in Pakistan’s aviation sector, it further said.
The development comes as Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, conducted meetings with his counterparts from friendly nations during the Dubai Airshow 2025.
“Chief of the Air Staff also held comprehensive discussions with Lieutenant General Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al-Alawi, Undersecretary of Defence UAE [United Arab Emirates], and Major General Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, Commander UAE Air Force and Air Defence,” the ISPR statement read.
Also Read, Air Chief Sidhu Participates at Dubai Airshow 2025
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), held a series of high-level meetings with military leaders from allied nations during the Dubai Airshow 2025.
Strategic Discussions with UAE Military Leadership
On the sidelines of the event, the Air Chief met Lieutenant General Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al-Alawi, Undersecretary of Defence of the UAE, and Major General Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in advanced training programs, promoting joint initiatives in emerging aerospace technologies, and improving mechanisms for operational coordination. UAE officials praised the PAF’s modernisation efforts and growing indigenous capabilities, emphasising a shared commitment to deepen military engagement through joint exercises, professional exchanges, and strategic partnerships.
Pakistan Showcases Indigenous Aviation Expertise
The PAF contingent, participating in the airshow, brought advanced JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighters and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, highlighting Pakistan’s expanding capabilities in domestic military aviation. The JF-17 Thunder Block-III emerged as a centrepiece of the exhibition, attracting attention from defence analysts, aviation experts, and international visitors. Its state-of-the-art technology, multirole combat capacity, and operational performance reinforced its reputation as a reliable and cost-effective fighter jet.
