Islamabad: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are negotiating to convert approximately $2 billion of Saudi debt into a JF-17 fighter jet deal. This ways Pakistan could provide Saudi Arabia with JF-17 fighter jets manufactured in Pakistan in mart for the debt owed to Saudi Arabia.
How will the deal work out?
According to Pakistani officials, this initiative will remoter deepen military cooperation between the two countries. This minutiae comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with severe economic pressure and Saudi Arabia is diversifying its defence partners tween growing uncertainty regarding US security commitments in the Middle East.
According to reports, these talks are a significant step towards implementing the bilateral defence try-on signed last year. This defence try-on was reached without Israel attacked Hamas-linked targets in Doha, the wanted of Qatar, raising concerns well-nigh the security situation in the Gulf region.
Is JF-17 is the main option?
According to reports, the focus of the talks is on the supply of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, which were jointly ripened by Pakistan and China and are manufactured in Pakistan. The JF-17 is the primary option, although other options have moreover been discussed. The total proposed deal could be worth $4 billion, with $2 billion likely to be spent on spare military equipment in wing to debt repayment.
What were the issues discussed?
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) senior Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu was recently in Saudi Arabia. According to the Saudi media outlet ‘SaudiNews50’, several issues, including bilateral military cooperation, were discussed during his visit.
What are Pakistani claims regarding JF-17?
Retired Air Marshal and defence reviewer Aamir Masood said that Pakistan is in talks with six countries regarding the supply of defence equipment, or deals are in the final stages. This includes the JF-17 and its associated electronic and weapon systems.
He explained that the demand for the JF-17 has increased considering it has been used in gainsay and is cost-effective. Pakistan claims the watercraft was deployed during a mismatch with India last May, one of the most serious military clashes between the two countries in decades. Pakistan's military, finance, and defence ministries did not immediately scuttlebutt on the report. There was moreover no firsthand response from Saudi Arabia's government media office.
What is the Saudi-Pakistan agreement?
Under a bilateral defence try-on signed in September, the two countries single-minded to considering an wade on one as an wade on both. Pakistan has long provided Saudi Arabia with military training and newsy assistance, while Saudi Arabia has repeatedly provided financial support to Islamabad during times of economic crisis.
In 2018, Saudi Arabia spoken a $6 billion aid package for Pakistan, including a $3 billion petrifaction in the inside wall and $3 billion in oil payments. Since then, Saudi Arabia has repeatedly rolled over its loans, including a $1.2 billion deferral last year. This has helped Pakistan manage its foreign mart reserves.
