Pakistan is nearing a $1.5 billion agreement to supply weapons and military aircraft to Sudan, a former senior air force official and three sources familiar with the matter said, a move that could bolster General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF) in its war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The conflict, now in its third year, has fuelled what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, drawing in multiple foreign actors and raising fears of the fragmentation of the strategically located Red Sea nation, a major gold producer.
According to two of the sources, the proposed deal includes 10 Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft, more than 200 drones for reconnaissance and kamikaze missions, and advanced air-defence systems. All sources requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.
“It is a done deal,” said Aamir Masood, a retired Pakistani air marshal who said he remains briefed on air force developments.
In addition to the Karakoram-8 aircraft, the package is expected to include Super Mushshak training planes and potentially JF-17 fighter jets, which are jointly developed with China and manufactured in Pakistan, Masood said. He did not provide figures or a delivery timeline.
Pakistan’s military and defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for SAF also did not respond to a request for comment.
The RSF has increasingly relied on drones to expand its territorial control, eroding the SAF’s position.
SAF has accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying weapons to the RSF, allegations Abu Dhabi has repeatedly denied.
Possible Saudi role
The sources did not specify how the deal would be financed, though Masood said Saudi Arabia could play a role.
“Saudi Arabia may favour and support friendly governments in the region through procurement of Pakistani military equipment and training,” he said.
One source said Saudi Arabia helped broker the agreement but added there was no indication Riyadh was funding the weapons. Another source said Saudi Arabia was not providing financing.
Reuters has previously reported that Pakistan is in talks with Saudi Arabia over a broader defence agreement potentially worth between $2 billion and $4 billion. Masood said the Sudan package could be included under such a framework, though he did not confirm ongoing negotiations.
Saudi Arabia’s government media office did not respond to a request for comment.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are members of a U.S.-led diplomatic grouping seeking to push SAF and the RSF toward negotiations. Sudanese and Egyptian sources have said that SAF chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan recently requested Saudi support during visits to the kingdom.
Meanwhile, relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been strained by recent developments in Yemen, where clashes erupted in December between Saudi-backed forces and UAE-aligned southern separatists.
Pakistan’s defence push
The Sudan deal would mark another major export success for Pakistan’s expanding defence industry, which has attracted growing interest following the deployment of Pakistani jets during last year’s conflict with India.
In December, Pakistan signed an arms agreement worth more than $4 billion with Libya’s National Army, officials said, covering fighter jets and training aircraft. Islamabad has also held discussions with Bangladesh on a potential defence deal involving Super Mushshak trainers and JF-17 fighters as bilateral ties improve.
The Pakistani government views defence exports as a key pillar of its long-term economic strategy. The country is currently operating under a $7 billion IMF programme secured after a 2023 financial crisis, with support from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners through loans and deposit rollovers.
