Mogadishu: Somalia is negotiating with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets in what officials describe as the country’s most ambitious effort since 1991 to restore sovereign air combat capability.
Discussions accelerated after Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali visited Islamabad in February 2026. Officials say Somalia urgently needs to rebuild a fixed-wing combat force that collapsed following the disintegration of the central government decades ago.
“Our airspace must be protected by Somali hands,” a defence ministry official said, framing the potential acquisition as both a security necessity and a symbol of national sovereignty. In a region where control of the skies shapes territorial security, trade routes and counterterrorism operations, airpower carries strategic significance.
Pakistan’s Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj highlighted the affordability of the JF-17. He noted that while some Western aircraft offer advanced technology, they cost more than three times the estimated $30–40 million price per JF-17. Analysts in Islamabad added that the aircraft provides a comprehensive package, including flexible weapons integration, training and logistical support, with fewer political conditions.
Former Pakistan Air Force air commodore Adil Sultan said the JF-17 demonstrated strong operational performance against more expensive Western and Russian systems, enhancing its appeal in competitive defence markets.
If finalised, the deal — valued at roughly $900 million — would mark Somalia’s largest defence investment since the Cold War. Moreover, the acquisition could reduce reliance on foreign airpower and strengthen control over Somalia’s airspace and coastline, potentially reshaping the security dynamics of the Horn of Africa.
Meta description: Somalia negotiates major JF-17 fighter jet deal with Pakistan to rebuild air force and strengthen sovereignty.
