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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.

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

Articles tagged with "Military Diplomacy"

Beyond Borders: Pakistan's Defense Diplomacy In 2025