Pakistan’s Defence Minister said global demand for Pakistani defence equipment had risen following Operation Sindoor, and suggested that the resulting revenue could reduce or eliminate Islamabad’s reliance on IMF financial assistance
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that the country may not need future bailouts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), citing what he described as a sharp increase in international defence orders.
Speaking to Pakistan-based Geo News on Tuesday, Asif said global demand for Pakistani defence equipment had risen following Operation Sindoor, and suggested that the resulting revenue could reduce or eliminate Islamabad’s reliance on IMF financial assistance.
He also made strong claims about Pakistan’s military performance during the four-day escalation with India in May, describing the Pakistan Air Force’s role as “outstanding.”
He said the conflict demonstrated Pakistan’s “resolve and military effectiveness” to the international community.
However, Pakistan’s assertions of success during the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict have been disputed by India and questioned by international observers.
The External Affairs Ministry stated that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart on May 10 to seek a ceasefire, following Indian Air Force missile strikes that, according to New Delhi, damaged key Pakistani airbases.
Pak sees sharp rise in defence exports
Pakistan is currently under a strict $7-billion IMF bailout programme, requiring compliance with wide-ranging structural reforms.
While it remains unclear whether the crisis-hit economy can end its dependence on IMF support, the country has seen a sharp rise in defence exports since Operation Sindoor.
Citing available reports, The Print reported that Pakistan signed defence export deals worth nearly $10 billion in 2025, its highest single-year figure to date.
The JF-17 fighter jet, jointly developed with China, has led demand, followed by the Mushshak trainer aircraft.
Among the biggest transactions was a $4-billion arms deal with the Libyan National Army, overseen by Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and LNA deputy commander Saddam Khalifa Haftar.
The sale, described as Pakistan’s largest-ever weapons export, drew international scrutiny for violating a long-standing UN arms embargo on Libya.
According to The Print, Pakistan has also concluded defence deals with countries including Azerbaijan and Zimbabwe over the past year.
India has accused Pakistan of using international platforms to project an exaggerated picture of its defence capabilities after Sindoor, noting that much of its defence industry relies on co-production with partners such as China and Turkey.
Indian Army Vice Chief Lt Gen Rahul R. Singh said last year that China provided Pakistan with “all possible support” during the operation, including real-time intelligence and satellite surveillance.
Indian defence officials have also said Turkey supplied Bayraktar drones and loitering munitions used by Pakistan during the conflict.
With inputs from agencies
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