“Pakistan is becoming increasingly relevant as a flexible, mid-tier provider of defence capabilities,” said Andreas Krieg, a lecturer in security studies at King’s College London.
Dr Andreas Krieg is a senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, Royal College of Defence Studies and a fellow at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies.
King’s College London (KCL) is one of the most prestigious public research universities, one of England’s oldest, founded in 1829.
"Pakistan "is becoming more relevant as a flexible, mid-tier provider of defence capacity," said @andreas_krieg, a lecturer at King's College London's security studies department.https://t.co/ylIu3VIer8
— Dr Andreas Krieg (@andreas_krieg) January 20, 2026
The country’s defence industry has gained recognition after its jets, drones, and missiles earned the coveted ‘combat-tested’ label during last year’s conflict with India. It has sparked major international interest.
According to a Reuters report, Pakistan is now actively pursuing defence deals with multiple countries and leveraging the combat-proven status of its military equipment.
Defence Ministry and the military have not disclosed specifics, it adds.
Pakistan’s Defence Production Minister, Raza Hayat Harraj, confirmed that several nations had expressed interest in its military hardware, Reuters reported.
Analysts also note that global disruptions to supply chains have been triggered by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The JF-17’s performance in the May conflict with India has popularised its reputation. The jet flew alongside the advanced Chinese-made J-10.
He also highlighted that while some Western options may be technologically superior.
Pakistani jets are significantly more cost-effective, with a JF-17 priced around $30–40 million. It is less than a third of comparable Western aircraft.
Most potential buyers are Muslim-majority nations. It also highlights Pakistan’s historical role as a security partner in the Middle East, reports suggest.
