JF-17 fighter fills expanding niche in a competitive geopolitical market
The JF-17 has received orders from three countries: Azerbaijan, Myanmar and Nigeria. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Shimin Gu)
With orders from three countries, 2024 is unlikely to be the last of the export years for the joint Pakistan-Chinese fighter jet.
With Azerbaijan becoming the third export customer of the JF-17 fighter in September 2024, along with sales to Myanmar and Nigeria, the orders from low-ranking operators are unlikely to pave the way for the aircraft as a short-term, major export success.
These modest contract wins have, however, been relatively unusual for a new small aircraft programme and have signalled a new arrival in an extremely competitive market. When set against the wider geopolitical backdrop, the significance of these deals is even greater. The F-35 is cleaning up the ‘Western zone’ while the F-16 is perceived to be on a decline
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