ISLAMABAD (TNI) – Pakistan is in the final stages of a $1.5 billion deal to supply weapons and fighter jets to Sudan, Reuters reported. A former senior Pakistan Air Force officer and three sources familiar with the matter said the deal would provide a major boost to the Sudanese army, which is fighting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to the news agency, the conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army, which has been ongoing for the past two and a half years, has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, in which numerous foreign interests have been involved. This conflict is threatening to fragment the strategically important Red Sea country, which is rich in gold and other mineral resources. Reuters has quoted sources as saying that under the agreement, Pakistan will provide the Sudanese army with 10 Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft, more than 200 drones for surveillance and suicide attacks, and modern air defense systems.
According to a former senior Pakistan Air Force officer, in addition to the Karakoram-8 aircraft, the Super Mushtaq training aircraft should also be provided. He added that it is also possible that Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jets are also part of the deal, but he did not specify the number of these aircraft or the delivery schedule. According to Reuters, military officials in Pakistan and Sudan did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this news.
According to the British news agency, the deal is another major success for Pakistan’s growing defense industry, which has seen a surge in interest and investment especially after Pakistani warplanes were used in a conflict with India last year. Last month, Islamabad signed an arms sale agreement worth more than $4 billion with the Libyan National Army, one of the largest defense deals in Pakistan’s history, and includes JF-17 fighter jets and training aircraft.
According to the report, Pakistan has also held talks with Bangladesh on a defense deal that could include Super Mushtaq training aircraft and JF-17s.
