*ISLAMABAD – **For the first time in history, Pakistan aims to hit $1billion defence exports with JF – 17 Thunder as mainstay or the exports.*
*Pakistan is looking to expand its export of arms, with the end goal ofselling $1 billion worth of defence equipment every year, according to areport by the Nikkei Asian Reviewlink.In fact, it has already started increasing its arms sales. *
The publication quoted a senior government official who said the export ofweapons exceeded $210 million last fiscal year. Two years earlier, thatsame number was at $100 million. Five years before that, it was $60 million.
The officials credited this upward trend to Pakistan’s drive for greaterweapons self-sufficiency.
Though there is no public data available on what kind of weapons wereexported or where, it is thought that China has played a big role inPakistani arms production. An example is the JF-17 Thunder fighter jetsthat are jointly manufactured by the two countries.
“The JF-17 has helped Pakistan lay the groundwork for self-sufficiency,”said defence analyst Lt Gen (retired) Talat Masood. He said China has alsohelped Pakistan produce tanks, supported its air force through the JF-17project and its navy with assistance in building warships and submarines.
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In 2016, Pakistan signed a deal with Myanmar for the sale of 16 JF-17fighters and though the actual contract value was not made public,officials have privately said it was for around $400 million.
In addition to this, Pakistan has sold three JF-17s to Nigeria, signed adeal with Turkey to sell 52 Super Mushshak training aircraft and 1,000PK-83 general purpose bombs.
Collaborating with China has helped Pakistan improve its ability to produceadvanced weapons, according to analysts. “Pakistan has graduated wellbeyond just a manufacturer of small weapons,” a senior foreign ministryofficial said. “We are now looking at big-ticket items.”
Other analysts say Pakistan’s access to major markets will be limited andit will have to rely on countries with budgetary constraints, like those inAfrica.
