DUBAI: Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots visited the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pavilion at the Dubai Airshow 2025, where they took photos with Pakistan’s multi-role JF-17 Thunder fighter jet and were impressed with the aircraft’s capabilities and global popularity.
Photos and videos of Indian Air Force officers visiting the Pakistan Air Force triggered a social media storm on Thursday, after images of the officers posing beside Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet went viral.
There you go 🇦🇪 ⚡ 🇵🇰
JF-17 Thunder Block-III, the Nation’s pride representing the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at the Dubai Air Show 2025. pic.twitter.com/5fImLcoXba
— Pakistan Strategic Forum (@ForumStrategic) November 17, 2025
The photos, widely shared on X and Instagram, show IAF officers interacting with PAF personnel and taking interest in the multi-role JF-17 on display.
Indian Navy personnel taking a lot of pictures of the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder at its static display at the Dubai Air Show 2025: pic.twitter.com/L4sTPjt4JI
— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) November 20, 2025
Social media users from both countries reacted with surprise and amusement at the sight of uniformed officers from the rival militaries smiling together.
The Dubai Airshow, one of the world’s largest aviation and defence exhibitions, is being held at Dubai World Central and concludes on Friday.
More than 1,500 companies, 200 aircraft and 490 official and private delegations from 115 countries are taking part.
We reached Day 4 of Dubai Airshow with halls still buzzing, runways active and conference rooms fully engaged.
Day 4 reinforced how much ground remains to be covered, with visitors continuing to explore breakthroughs and connect with global aviation decision-makers.
📍 DWC,… pic.twitter.com/caLa5ksIOg
— Dubai Airshow (@DubaiAirshow) November 20, 2025
Crowds have been visiting the Pakistan pavilion, where the JF-17 Thunder has emerged as a major attraction for visitors and foreign delegations.
Interest intensified when IAF personnel arrived for a walkthrough, drawing attention from onlookers.
The images quickly spread online and sparked debate in India. Several users questioned why such interactions were acceptable for military officers while sporting contacts between the two countries remained restricted.
Tejasvi Prakash, a Congress supporter, reposted one of the viral images on X and criticised the Indian government, saying: “Our government turns every small India-Pakistan interaction into a ‘national security’ drama… yet Indian Navy officials are happily posing with Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Block-III at the Dubai Air Show.”
Our government turns every small India–Pakistan interaction into a “national security” drama… yet Indian Navy officials are happily posing with Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Block-III at the Dubai Air Show.
So public hostility is mandatory for optics, but quiet admiration abroad is… pic.twitter.com/HWEU8KScpj
— Tejasswi Prakash (@Tiju0Prakash) November 20, 2025
Other users responded with humour. One Pakistani user captioned the photo: “JF-17 fans from across the border.”
Heartening to see #IndianAirForce personnel capturing moments with the JF-17C Block-III at #DubaiAirShow2025. In the skies we’re rivals, but on the ground, it’s pure aviation passion that brings us together. ✈️🤝🇵🇰🇮🇳#PakistanAirForce #IndianAirForce pic.twitter.com/UPVTEuRAze
— Mansoor Ahmed Dhillon (@mansoor_dhillon) November 20, 2025
Another wrote: “Indian Air Force seeking lessons from the Pakistan Air Force during the Dubai Airshow!” Some welcomed the moment as a rare display of professionalism between the two militaries.
Indian Air Force seeking lessons from the Pakistan Air Force during the Dubai Airshow! pic.twitter.com/mV74U9T7Fu
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) November 20, 2025
“In the skies we’re rivals, but on the ground, it’s pure aviation passion that brings us together,” one user commented.
Many questioned why such exchanges were normal in defence diplomacy but not in cricket. “If their personnel can interact frankly with ours here, then what was the need for the theatrics on the cricket field?” one user wrote.
Indian Navy personnel taking a lot of pictures of the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder at its static display at the Dubai Air Show 2025: pic.twitter.com/L4sTPjt4JI
— The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) November 20, 2025
Video clips circulating online show IAF personnel examining the JF-17 closely, listening to briefings and taking part in technical discussions.
Observers noted that such visits are routine at major defence exhibitions, where delegations often tour each other’s pavilions as part of professional engagement.
