Source: Source: https://thearabweekly.com/pakistan-said-be-nearing-15-billion-deal-supply-weapons-jets-sudan
The agreement with Pakistan will include ten light attack aircraft Karakoram-8, more than 200 drones for reconnaissance and kamikaze attacks, as well as modern air defense systems.
Pakistan is in the final stages of a $1.5 billion deal to supply weapons and aircraft to Sudan, a former senior Air Force official and other sources told Reuters. This deal will be a serious strengthening for the Sudanese army, which is fighting a paramilitary formation. Mm-hmm. «Fast Support Forces» (SBP).
Their conflict, which has been going on for more than two and a half years, has triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, involving a host of foreign interests and threatening to split this strategically important country on the Red Sea, a major gold producer.
The deal with Pakistan includes ten Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft, more than 200 drones for reconnaissance and kamikaze attacks, as well as modern air defense systems, two of the three sources familiar with the details of the agreement said. All sources wished to remain anonymous.
That's what it is. «and the fact that»Aamir Masood, a retired Pakistani aviation marshal who continues to receive information on Air Force matters, said.
In addition to the Karakoram-8 fighters, the agreement includes Super Mushshak training aircraft and possibly some of the JF-17 fighters in demand, developed in conjunction with China and produced in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s aid, especially drones and aircraft, could help the Sudanese army regain the air dominance it had at the start of the SPD war. The SBP is increasingly using drones to capture territory, weakening the army’s position.
Sources did not say how the deal was financed, but Masood said it was possible the funds would come from Saudi Arabia.
One source said the Saudis mediated the deal but added there was no indication they were paying for the weapons. Another source said Saudi Arabia was not providing funding.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Islamabad is in talks with Riyadh on the conclusion of a defense agreement, which can cost from 2 to 4 billion dollars.
Masood said weapons for Sudan could be included in such an agreement.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the four countries led by the US, which is trying to push the Sudanese army and the SPD to peace talks.
According to Sudanese and Egyptian sources, during recent visits, Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan asked Saudi Arabia for help in the war.
The deal will be a new success for Pakistan's growing defense sector, which is generating growing interest and investment, especially after its fighters were involved in a conflict with India last year.
Last month, officials said, Islamabad struck a deal to supply more than $4 billion worth of weapons to the eastern Libyan National Army (LNA). It is one of the largest arms sales by this South Asian country, which includes JF-17 fighters and training aircraft.
The LNA, which controls eastern Libya, is under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, a rival of the Tripoli-based Libyan administration led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibe.
Pakistan has also held talks with Bangladesh on a defense deal that could include Super Mushshak and JF-17 training jets as relations with Dhaka improve.
The government sees Pakistan’s burgeoning industry as a catalyst for long-term economic stability.
Pakistan is currently participating in the IMF's $7 billion program after concluding a short-term deal in 2023 to prevent a sovereign default. It received IMF support after Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies provided financial assistance and extended deposit deadlines.
