ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki called on Federal Minister for Defense Pervez Khattak in Islamabad today and said the Kingdom was committed to working with Pakistan to expand ties, the defence ministry said.
“Talking about the existing mutual cooperation between the two countries, the ambassador said that our relations with Pakistan are based on mutual trust,” a statement released by the Pakistani defence ministry quoted Al-Maliki as saying. “Therefore, we are committed to working with Pakistan and its people to further expand our fraternal ties.”
The statement added: “Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia ... The Federal Minister of Defense said that the people of Pakistan have great respect for the Saudi government and its people.”
The two countries have a “remarkable history” of fraternal relations, the statement said: “We believe that Saudi Arabia is a trustworthy and reliable friend and we want to promote this relationship.”
Committed to working with Pakistan to expand ties, Saudi envoy tells defence minister
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Committed to working with Pakistan to expand ties, Saudi envoy tells defence minister
- Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki calls on Federal Minister for Defense Pervez Khattak in Islamabad
- “We believe that Saudi Arabia is a trustworthy and reliable friend and we want to promote this relationship,” Khattak tells envoy
Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jet draws ‘strong interest’ at Riyadh defense exhibition
- Jets showcased as Pakistan seeks to expand defense exports
- Interest in JF-17 has heightened after May 2025 conflict with India
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet has drawn “strong interest” at the World Defense Exhibition in Riyadh, Pakistan’s state broadcaster said on Sunday, as Islamabad promotes the aircraft to international buyers at one of the region’s largest defense industry events.
The exhibition brings together defense officials, manufacturers and military delegations from dozens of countries, offering a platform for arms exporters to showcase equipment and pursue new contracts amid heightened global and regional security concerns.
Saudi Arabia has sought to position Riyadh as a regional hub for defense and aerospace exhibitions, using such events to foster partnerships and attract international manufacturers as part of broader diversification efforts.
Last year Islamabad signed a mutual defense pact with Riyadh and is reportedly discussing another defense agreement involving Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, although details have not been made public.
“At the World Defense Exhibition in Riyadh, the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder has attracted strong interest from visitors and defense experts, standing out among fighter jets displayed by the US, Saudi Arabia and other countries,” state broadcaster Pakistan Television reported.
Islamabad is attending the exhibition in the backdrop of talks with at least 13 countries, six to eight of which are in an advanced stage, for deals involving JF-17 jets made jointly with China as well as training aircraft, drones, and weapons systems, according to recent media reports.
Interest in the JF-17 jets has been bolstered by its operational visibility following the Pakistan-India military confrontation in May 2025, which Pakistani officials and defense analysts have cited as reinforcing the aircraft’s combat credibility.
Islamabad has increasingly positioned the JF-17 as a cost-effective multirole combat aircraft for countries seeking alternatives to high-end Western fighter jets. The aircraft is already in service with several foreign air forces and remains central to Islamabad’s defense export strategy.
Countries engaged in talks include Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Nigeria as well as the government in eastern Libya led by Khalifa Haftar. Discussions on JF-17s and other weapons with Bangladesh and Iraq have been publicly acknowledged by Pakistan’s military, although more details have not been made public.
Almost all the potential buyers are Muslim-majority nations, like Pakistan. Many are from the predominantly Muslim Middle East, where Pakistan has historically been a security provider.
