JF-17 Thunder Block-III Shines at Dubai Airshow 2025; Friendly Country Signs MoU for Procurement
Dubai, UAE — Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Block-III emerged as a major highlight at the Dubai Airshow 2025, capturing global attention for its advanced capabilities and combat-proven performance. During the five-day event at Al Maktoum International Airport (November 17-21), a friendly country signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to procure the multi-role fighter, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s defense exports.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that multiple nations expressed interest in acquiring the JF-17, reflecting growing international confidence in Pakistan’s aviation and defense industry. The jet’s advanced design and operational record, including combat engagements with India in 2019 and 2025, have strengthened its reputation as an affordable yet highly capable 4.5-generation fighter aircraft.
A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) contingent attended the airshow featuring the JF-17 Block-III alongside the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, showcasing Pakistan’s indigenous expertise in military aviation. Equipped with advanced radar systems and beyond-visual-range missiles, the JF-17 can perform air superiority, ground attack, maritime strike, and Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions.
During high-level engagements on the sidelines, PAF Chief of Air Staff Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu met with air chiefs from friendly nations and UAE military leadership, including Lieutenant General Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al-Alawi and Major General Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in advanced training, aerospace technology collaboration, joint exercises, and operational coordination.
Developed jointly by Pakistan and China, the JF-17 program began in 1999 with its maiden flight in 2003. The Block-III variant, inducted in 2023, represents the latest evolution in the program, combining modern avionics, state-of-the-art weapons, and multi-role flexibility. The aircraft is currently in service with Pakistan, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Azerbaijan, with the latter recently inducting Block-3 jets.
The Dubai Airshow appearance not only highlights Pakistan’s defense modernization and export potential but also cements the JF-17’s status as a globally recognized, combat-ready, cost-effective fighter jet.
