Pakistan's $8 Billion Defence Export Claim: Economic Reality or Political Play?

• Pakistan claims $8 billion in defence export contracts for 2025, aiming for economic self-reliance and a potential exit from the IMF program.
• Defence Minister Khawaja Asif leads the narrative, citing mass production of JF-17 jets, drones, air defence systems, tanks, and missiles.
• Deals reportedly involve Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, Nigeria, Iraq, and Libya (via UAE), with alleged arms supply to Ukraine through Western channels.
• Claims are linked to the May 2025 India-Pakistan confrontation, asserting Pakistan's capabilities and alleging damage to PM Modi's credibility.
• Indian intelligence and analysts view this as strategic signaling to offset economic pressure and bolster the army's domestic legitimacy, not a realistic IMF replacement.

Why It Matters: Pakistan's $8B defence export claims are seen more as political signaling than a true path to IMF exit.