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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan marked a new chapter in its defense and arms diplomacy, successfully navigating complex security challenges, including a war, in 2025. Islamabad expanded its global reach, signing defense agreements and pursuing arms sales with countries from the Middle East to North Africa, according to official statements and defense reports. &ldquo;Pakistan has a mature defence industrial base, from military uniforms to fighter jets, Pakistan exports almost everything,&rdquo; said defence expert Major General Inam Ul Haque (retired) while speaking to Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;2025 was not a breakout year for Pakistan&rsquo;s defence diplomacy but a continuation of its expertise,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; &ldquo;If it were not for capital constraints, Pakistan&rsquo;s defense industrial complex has the potential to do so much more,&rdquo; Inam ul Haque added.&nbsp;Pakistan confirmed a series of defense-related agreements. Here&rsquo;s a look at the key developments in 2025.&nbsp;Azerbaijan&#39;s interest in JF-17 Block IIIIn June, shortly after the brief conflict between India and Pakistan, Azerbaijan finalized a defense contract with Pakistan for the purchase of 40 JF-17 Block III fighter jets, according to official statements, under a deal valued reportedly at $4.6 billion, making Baku one of the largest export customers for Pakistan&rsquo;s flagship combat aircraft. Earlier in 2024, Azerbaijan purchased JF-17s for the first time in a deal valued at approximately $1.2 billion, according to statements by Inter-Services Public Relations, the Pakistan army&#39;s media wing, and Azerbaijan&rsquo;s president&rsquo;s office.&nbsp;Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense agreementLater in September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&#39;s official visit to Riyadh, according to a joint statement made by Pakistan&#39;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). &quot;This agreement is a paradigm shift that was years in the making,&quot; said Inam Ul Haque. &quot;It addresses the Kingdom&rsquo;s vulnerability against a nuclear-armed, bellicose and uncontrolled Israel, while at the same time extending an economic lifeline to Pakistan.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dubai Airshow JF-17 memorandumBy November, at the Dubai Airshow, Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding linked to the sale of JF-17 fighters to a foreign country, according to Pakistan&#39;s military media wing.&nbsp;The identity of the country was not publicly disclosed.&nbsp; &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s JF-17s are much superior and are a cost-effective option,&rdquo; the general said.&nbsp;The announcement was made on the same day that an Indian air force Tejas aircraft crashed during an aerobatic demonstration at the event.&nbsp;Pakistan-Egypt defence-industrial memorandumPakistan and Egypt signed a defense-industrial memorandum of understanding in December at Egypt&#39;s Defence Expo in Cairo to expand cooperation in defense production and technology.&nbsp;Senior officials at the signing told Egyptian local media that the agreement aimed to improve collaboration on unmanned aerial systems, precision-guided munitions, electronic warfare systems, and components for integrated air defense networks, areas where, according to the officials, Pakistan has developed a strong export record and operational credibility.&nbsp;Defense talks with TurkeyPakistan and Turkiye agreed to strengthen defense cooperation in July when Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yasar G&uuml;ler met with Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad. In early December, a high-level delegation from T&uuml;rkiye&#39;s aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors visited Pakistan. According to official statements, Turkiye conveyed a strong interest in pursuing joint ventures and establishing manufacturing capabilities in Pakistan.&nbsp;US F-16 support notificationLater in December, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a proposed support and upgrade package for Pakistan&rsquo;s F-16 fighter aircraft fleet, worth approximately $686m, according to the official website of the US Congress.&nbsp;The notification covered sustainment, technical support, and upgrade-related assistance.

Security

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan expanded its global reach, signing defense agreements and pursuing arms sales with countries from the Middle East to North Africa.

Beyond Borders: Pakistan's Defense Diplomacy In 2025

BERLIN:&nbsp;Germany is set to remove restrictions it imposed in August on arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, the government announced Monday. &ldquo;The restrictions on arms exports to Israel ... will be lifted,&rdquo; government spokesman Sebastian Hille told reporters, adding that the decision &ldquo;will take effect on 24 November.&rdquo; Chancellor Friedrich Merz had justified the original August decision as a reaction to plans announced by the Israeli government at the time for an escalation in its Gaza City offensive. &ldquo;We have always stated that we would review this practice in light of developments on the ground,&rdquo; Hille said on Monday. &ldquo;Since 10 October, there has been a cease-fire in Gaza, which has also fundamentally stabilised,&rdquo; he added, noting that &ldquo;this forms the basis for this decision&rdquo; to lift the restrictions. &ldquo;We expect everyone to adhere to the agreements that have been made,&rdquo; Hille said, including &ldquo;maintaining the cease-fire, providing large-scale humanitarian aid.&rdquo;

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during an economic summit hosted by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung at the Adlon Hotel in Berlin on November 17, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

Europe

Americas

Germany is set to remove restrictions it imposed in August on arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, the government announced Monday.

Articles tagged with "Arms deal"

Beyond Borders: Pakistan's Defense Diplomacy In 2025

Germany to lift curbs on arms exports to Israel