MOGADISHU: Somalia is negotiating with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, in what could be the nation’s most ambitious attempt since 1991 to reestablish a sovereign air combat capability and secure control over its skies and expansive coastline, according to The News.
The discussions gained momentum following a February 2026 visit to Islamabad by Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali, reflecting the urgent need to rebuild a fixed-wing combat force that collapsed after the disintegration of Somalia’s central government decades ago.
“Our airspace must be protected by Somali hands,” a Somali defence ministry official said, framing the acquisition not just as a weapons procurement initiative but as a statement of political sovereignty and institutional resurgence.
In a region where command of the skies directly affects control over territory, trade routes, and counterterrorism operations, airpower carries substantial strategic importance.
Analysts note that regaining aerial capability could significantly enhance Somalia’s operational independence and regional influence.
Raza Hayat Harraj, Pakistan’s Defence Production Minister, highlighted the financial logic behind the potential deal.
“While some Western options may be more technologically advanced, they cost more than three times as much as an approximately $30 million to $40 million JF-17,” he said, presenting the aircraft as a cost-effective solution for a nation balancing strategic ambition with limited defence resources.
An Islamabad-based defence analyst emphasized the JF-17’s appeal as a complete operational package.
“The JF-17’s appeal is less about headline performance than the overall package, which includes lower price, flexible weapons integration, training, spares, and generally fewer Western political strings,” the analyst noted, adding that countries seeking independence from restrictive arms agreements find the platform especially attractive.
Former Pakistan Air Force air commodore Adil Sultan reinforced the aircraft’s operational credibility, stating, “The PAF demonstrated superior performance against much more expensive Western and Russian systems, which has made these aircraft an attractive option for several air forces,” citing the platform’s proven track record as a key factor for sensitive defence markets.
If the agreement materializes, the $900 million (approx Rs251 billion) deal would represent Somalia’s largest defence investment since the Cold War era, marking a transformative expansion of its national defence capabilities across both its extensive coastline and inland territories.
Beyond military modernization, the acquisition could reshape the Horn of Africa’s security landscape, reducing Somalia’s reliance on foreign airpower – particularly from the United States and Turkey – while enabling full sovereign control of its airspace, including over Somaliland, a self-declared autonomous region recently recognized by Israel.
