Mogadishu – Somalia is accelerating high-stakes negotiations with Pakistan to purchase 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, marking a pivotal move to revive its long-neglected air force.
The potential $900 million deal, first reported by the Somali Guardian, follows a key February 2026 visit by Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali to Islamabad, where talks advanced on terms for the two-squadron package.
Officials say the agreement could be finalized later this year, with initial deliveries possibly starting with six jets.
Backed by potential funding from allies like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the acquisition aims to equip Somalia with modern multirole fighters amid escalating threats from al-Shabaab militants and maritime insecurity in the Horn of Africa.
The JF-17 Block III stands out for its advanced features, including active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, helmet-mounted displays, and beyond-visual-range missiles. Armed with a 23mm cannon, precision-guided munitions, and anti-ship capabilities, the lightweight jet excels in interception, close air support, and reconnaissance.
Produced jointly by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, it offers proven reliability at a fraction of Western alternatives’ cost, reportedly $30 million per unit versus $80 million for US F-16s.
This comes after Somalia weighed options from multiple suppliers, choosing the JF-17 for its affordability, no-strings export policy, and export success in nations like Azerbaijan, Nigeria, and Myanmar.
The deal package reportedly includes pilot training, flight simulators, and maintenance infrastructure to ensure self-sufficiency.
Read Also: Miraculous Survival: Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the Sole Survivor of the Air India Ahmedabad Crash
Strategically, the jets will secure Somali airspace, long vulnerable due to civil war devastation that left the air force grounded since the 1990s.
Reducing dependence on African Union troops and Turkish drones, the move bolsters defenses against insurgent incursions and piracy in the Indian Ocean.
Game changer
Analysts note it signals Mogadishu’s growing defense autonomy. Pakistan, expanding its defense export footprint, views Somalia as a key African partner.
Social media buzz, from Reddit threads to YouTube breakdowns, highlights excitement over the “game-changer” for East African security.
As al-Shabaab intensifies attacks, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration eyes this as a cornerstone of national revival.
Final sign-off awaits budgetary and diplomatic green lights, but momentum suggests delivery by late 2026.
