Pakistan is finalizing a significant $1.5 billion defense agreement to supply military aircraft and weaponry to Sudan’s national army, currently engaged in a protracted conflict against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to sources familiar with the negotiations and a retired senior military official, the comprehensive package includes 10 Karakorum-8 light attack aircraft, over 200 reconnaissance and kamikaze attack drones, and sophisticated air defense systems.
Retired Pakistani Air Marshal Aamir Masood, who maintains briefings on air force operations, confirmed the arrangement as essentially finalized. The deal reportedly extends beyond attack capabilities to include Super Mushshak trainer aircraft and potentially JF-17 Thunder fighter jets—a collaborative development between Pakistan and China.
The financing mechanism for this substantial arms transfer remains unclear amid conflicting reports. While Masood suggested potential Saudi Arabian financial backing, citing Riyadh’s pattern of supporting friendly Gulf regimes in acquiring Pakistani military equipment, other sources directly involved denied Saudi financial involvement. These sources acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s role as negotiation broker but emphasized no evidence suggests direct funding from the kingdom. This development coincides with ongoing discussions between Islamabad and Riyadh concerning a separate defense agreement valued between $2 billion and $4 billion.
This potential arms transfer occurs against the backdrop of Sudan’s devastating civil war, which erupted in April 2023 following the collapse of the alliance between the national army and the RSF. The conflict has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with tens of thousands killed and approximately 13 million people displaced from their homes.
The RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo, faces widespread allegations of atrocities including torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings, resulting in international sanctions and genocide accusations. The United Arab Emirates stands accused of violating UN arms embargoes by providing military support to the RSF, with critics alleging complicity in war crimes. Meanwhile, the Sudanese Armed Forces have also faced accusations of human rights violations during the ongoing conflict.