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The JF-17 Thunder fighter jet has been performing remarkably well in the international arms market in recent years. According to CCTV reports, the JF-17 is expected to be exported to multiple countries worldwide, with total orders surpassing the hundred-billion-dollar mark. This raises an interesting question: how many countries in the world are purchasing the JF-17, and how much profit can China actually make from these massive orders? Many people instinctively think of the widely circulated “60-40” split—Pakistan accounts for 60%, China for 40%. But this superficial ratio conceals an unexpected truth.

Why the JF-17 is So Popular in the Global Market

To understand the market appeal of the JF-17, one must first grasp its position in the global military procurement landscape. The JF-17 is not a fighter jet independently developed by China; it is a collaborative effort between China and Pakistan. Thanks to this cooperation model, the JF-17 has been able to circumvent some international restrictions, making it a preferred choice for many developing countries modernizing their air forces. Especially after the 5.7 air combat in 2019, the advanced missile systems associated with the JF-17 gained recognition in the global military community, directly fueling its booming sales.

The core competitiveness that makes the JF-17 attractive to multiple countries worldwide lies in its integration of China’s advanced avionics, radar technology, and missile systems, all while maintaining a relatively affordable price. This has led many nations seeking to modernize their air forces to turn their eyes toward the JF-17.

Breaking Down the Actual Cost Structure of a JF-17

Many believe that Pakistan profits more because of the “60-40” production share—Pakistan accounts for 58%, China for 42%. But there is a key conceptual confusion here: production share does not equal value share.

Production share refers to the proportion of work based on the manufacturing of subsystems and components, calculated by the amount of work involved. The airframe, skin, wings, and tail of the JF-17 are indeed produced by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, accounting for the majority of manufacturing effort. But there’s a hidden factor: where do the raw materials for these structures come from?

Can Pakistan Aeronautical Complex independently produce aerospace-grade aluminum alloys and titanium alloys? The answer is no. Can they produce composite materials for the airframe? Also no. Their only contributions are high-strength steel, fasteners, and basic machining services. This means that of the 30-35% of the cost attributed to the airframe structure, Pakistan’s actual profit portion is only about one-third; the remaining raw material costs and high-end processing profits go to China.

Engines and Radars: China’s High-Value Components

The two most expensive parts of a fighter jet are the engine and the avionics system.

Initially, the JF-17 used Russian RD-93 engines, each costing up to $3 million, with the entire cost fully captured by Russia. Starting last year, the JF-17 Block 3 has been adapted to Chinese-developed WS-13E turbofan engines. Considering that after the 5.7 air combat, Russia imposed restrictions on engine supplies to Pakistan, the profits from this critical component are destined to flow into China’s coffers.

In avionics, the JF-17 is equipped with the KLJ-7A active phased-array radar, with a conservative estimated unit price of $3-4 million. This radar system is entirely Chinese-made; Pakistan Aeronautical Complex has no manufacturing capability for it, nor do they dare to modify it. Additionally, the JF-17 is equipped with electronic warfare pods, warning systems, various sensors, electro-optical targeting systems, infrared imaging, and helmet-mounted sights—almost all developed and manufactured in China.

Missiles and Maintenance: Hidden Lucrative Business

Fighter jet procurement contracts usually include not only the aircraft itself but also supporting weapons, ammunition, and personnel training, which often account for 30-40% of the total contract value. This is where the real profit lies.

Countries purchasing the JF-17 are mostly interested in its supporting Kh-15E air-to-air missiles, capable of intercepting at beyond-visual-range distances. Reports indicate that a single Kh-15E missile costs about $1.5 million. Standard combat configurations require each JF-17 to be equipped with at least 4 Kh-15E and 2 PL-10E missiles, plus reserve stocks. This results in a massive order for hundreds of missiles—none of the profits from these go to Pakistan; all are captured by China.

More critically, missiles are consumables. During training, live-fire exercises are conducted, generating millions of dollars in revenue each time. Missiles also have shelf lives; after ten years, they must be replaced, creating recurring purchase costs. Radar software needs regular upgrades to unlock new features? Pay up. If missiles or avionics malfunction, repairs are needed—sending them back to China incurs service fees. These seemingly trivial maintenance costs accumulate into a continuous revenue stream.

Furthermore, pilot training, tactical guidance, and maintenance personnel development also require Chinese technical support and personnel investment. While Pakistan may receive some profit sharing, the proportion is limited.

Estimating the Profit Distribution per JF-17

Now, we can perform a rough but meaningful calculation. Suppose the global market price for a JF-17 is $35 million. Dividing this into a standard ratio of 60% for the aircraft, 30% for weapons and support, and 10% for training services, we get:

• Fighter aircraft production: China can capture about 80% of the value (including high-end materials, manufacturing, engine, and avionics)
• Weapon support: China captures 100% of the profit
• Training services: China and Pakistan split equally

Based on this model, if the total global orders for the JF-17 reach the hundred-billion-dollar level, China could potentially earn around $80 billion. This far exceeds the superficial “40%” share.

How Many Countries Will Continue Buying the JF-17?

Looking ahead, how many countries will continue to purchase the JF-17? The answer directly affects China’s ongoing revenue in this industry. As the JF-17’s reputation in the international market continues to grow, along with China’s advancements in avionics and missile technology, more countries are likely to join the procurement list. Each new order from a country means more long-term income for China—not only from the aircraft itself but also from subsequent missile supplies, software upgrades, maintenance, and technical training.

This business model is cleverly designed: it’s not a one-time sale but the creation of a long-term industrial ecosystem. Once a country chooses the JF-17, it effectively commits to a long-term partnership with China’s technology and economy, ensuring China a stable and sustained income stream.