Reuters: Pakistan in talks to sell JF-17 fighter jets to Morocco

Pakistan is negotiating arms sales with 13 countries, including Morocco, according to a Reuters report citing Pakistani military sources. The discussions focus primarily on the JF-17 multi-role fighter jet, developed jointly by Pakistan and China.

Reuters reported that Pakistan’s Defense Production Minister, Khurram Dastgir Khan, said talks are ongoing but could collapse under international pressure. The minister highlighted a significant price gap between Pakistani aircraft and Western alternatives, saying some Western options are technically more advanced but cost more than three times the price of a JF-17, which is valued at about $30 million to $40 million.

The report said the global disruption of supply chains, intensified by the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, has increased interest in the JF-17.

Strategic diversification

Military analyst Abderrahman Mkaoui told Hespress AR that Morocco’s interest in the JF-17 reflects a clear strategic move to diversify its defense partnerships. “Morocco no longer relies on a single supplier or region,” he said. “It is expanding options to ensure greater flexibility in developing military capabilities and strengthening its regional position.”

Mkaoui emphasized that technology transfer has become a key condition in Morocco’s defense strategy. He said Morocco aims not only to buy systems but also to gain technical knowledge that supports local defense industry development. “This criterion is now decisive in any deal, whether with the United States, China, India, Pakistan, or other countries,” he said.

He also noted that Morocco is in talks with the United States to potentially acquire advanced aircraft such as the F-18, F-22 and F-35, despite their high costs. Mkaoui said Morocco’s multi-source approach allows it to avoid regional or international alignment and maintain flexibility in developing its air, land and naval forces.

Mkaoui described the negotiations as part of a broader strategy led by King Mohammed VI and the Royal Armed Forces’ high command to modernize Morocco’s national defense, particularly its air force. He said each deal aims to strengthen Morocco’s self-reliance and strategic position over the long term.

Cost-effective force structure

Strategic expert Hicham Moutadid told Hespress AR that the JF-17 should be viewed not as a last-resort option but as a flexible, cost-effective component of a multi-layered air defense system.

“Modern air power is not built on one superior platform,” he said. “It is based on a balanced distribution of roles among different aircraft layers to achieve cost, readiness and sustainability.”

Moutadid added that the JF-17 can serve as a flexible operational layer for armed surveillance, local air defense, close air support and airspace protection. This allows more expensive and complex aircraft to focus on high-stakes missions requiring air superiority and strategic strikes.

He said the JF-17’s modular design allows for gradual upgrades in radar, electronic warfare systems and precision munitions, enabling Morocco to tailor the aircraft to its operational needs without full dependence on external updates or political constraints.

Moutadid argued that the aircraft’s strategic value lies not in direct comparison with advanced Western jets but in its ability to fill specific gaps within an integrated air force. “If integrated within a long-term strategic vision, it can be a smart addition that enhances operational independence and balances military effectiveness with geopolitical realities,” he said.