Somalia Reportedly Turns to Pakistan’s JF-17 Jets as It Seeks to Rebuild Air Force
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia is reportedly set to acquire JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan as Mogadishu moves to restore and modernise its air force, Turkish media outlet TRHaber reported. Neither government, however, has publicly confirmed that a final agreement has been signed.
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The report provided no details on the number of aircraft under consideration, the value of the reported deal or the potential start date for deliveries.
The development follows a deepening defence relationship between Somalia and Pakistan, including a recent visit to Mogadishu by a senior Pakistani Air Force delegation. The delegation held meetings with Somalia’s senior political and defence officials.
Led by Air Marshal Muhammad Sarfraz, the delegation met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi.
Talks covered the reconstruction of Somalia’s air force, military training, institutional development and plans to establish a capable air combat arm, according to information released about the visit.
During the meetings, Sarfraz presented Somalia’s air force chief with a model of the JF-17 Thunder, underscoring the aircraft’s role in discussions over future defence cooperation.
The Pakistani delegation’s visit came after a Somali delegation headed by Defence Minister Fiqi travelled to Pakistan in August. The two countries discussed measures to expand collaboration in defence and security.
Reports earlier this year indicated that Somalia was weighing the purchase of as many as 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III aircraft in a package estimated at approximately $900 million. Neither government has officially verified those figures.
Should the purchase go ahead, it would mark a major milestone in Somalia’s attempt to restore an air force whose operational capabilities have remained limited since the central government collapsed in 1991.
The JF-17 Thunder is a multirole combat aircraft developed jointly by Pakistan and China. It can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The Block III model includes an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, upgraded avionics and enhanced electronic warfare capabilities. It is typically described as a fourth-generation-plus fighter, distinguishing it from fifth-generation aircraft such as the US-made F-35, which features stealth technology.
Somalia has been rebuilding its security institutions while conducting operations against the al-Shabaab militant group and working to expand its national defence capabilities.
An operational air force could give Somalia additional military options. Running modern fighter aircraft, however, would require trained pilots, specialised technicians, maintenance infrastructure, weapons systems and reliable long-term funding.
At the time of publication, neither the Somali government nor Pakistan had confirmed the reported agreement. The aircraft configuration, financing terms, training package and delivery timetable also remained undisclosed.
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