Saudi Arabia negotiates to buy JF-17 fighter jets: Risk of jeopardizing the F-35 deal with the US.
Riyadh's consideration of JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan as debt relief could threaten the F-35 purchase agreement due to concerns about the potential leakage of aviation technology secrets to China.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are in talks regarding the purchase of JF-17 fighter jets, a product of cooperation between Pakistan and China. This move comes as Riyadh is also seeking to acquire the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter from the United States, raising concerns about technological security and the risk of sensitive military data leaks to Beijing.
Details of the financial agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
According to Reuters, current negotiations focus on using JF-17 fighter jets as a means of repaying a $2 billion loan that Saudi Arabia provided to Islamabad as part of a financial aid package. This is seen as a viable option for Pakistan to pay off its debt amid its challenging economic situation.
The total value of the contract is estimated to reach $4 billion, meaning Riyadh may have to spend an additional $2 billion beyond debt repayment. While the aircraft is the primary option, the parties are still considering several other defense cooperation options. If successful, this would be a major boost for Pakistan's defense industry, following reports that Libya and Bangladesh have also expressed interest in acquiring this aircraft.
Strategic Linkages and the Rise of the JF-17
This arms deal is seen as a natural consequence of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signing a mutual defense treaty in September 2025. This cooperation allows Pakistan to supply its domestic industry with raw materials while also addressing its international financial obligations. The JF-17s can be drawn from Pakistan's existing fleet or newly manufactured, along with long-term maintenance services.
Risks to the F-35 program and lessons from Türkiye.
The biggest problem for Riyadh is not financial but the hurdle from Washington. Although the White House has sent positive diplomatic signals, the formal procedures for selling F-35s to Saudi Arabia have yet to be approved. The JF-17 was developed based on Chinese technology and support, so operating both aircraft in parallel could allow Beijing to gather data on the F-35's combat capabilities.
Military analysts from Defense Express suggest that the presence of Chinese technology in the JF-17's system could reveal classified parameters of NATO's main fighter jet. This situation is reminiscent of Türkiye's case, which was excluded from the F-35 program after its decision to purchase Russia's S-400 air defense system.
Currently, there has been no official announcement regarding the outcome of negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. However, this possibility is creating serious pressure on the Riyadh government to balance economic interests, regional alliances, and strategic defense relations with the United States.
