Mogadishu: Somalia is in negotiations with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets in a move aimed at rebuilding its air combat capability and strengthening control over its airspace and coastline, according to a media report on Sunday.
The talks gained momentum following a February 2026 visit to Islamabad by Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali, highlighting the country’s efforts to revive a fixed-wing combat fleet that collapsed after the breakdown of Somalia’s central government in 1991.
A Somali defence ministry official said protecting national airspace through indigenous capacity was essential, describing the proposed acquisition as a step toward sovereignty and institutional rebuilding.
Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Harraj said the aircraft offered a financially viable option compared to Western platforms, noting that while some alternatives may be technologically advanced, their cost was significantly higher than the approximately $30–40 million per JF-17.
Defence analysts said the aircraft’s appeal lies in its overall operational package, including relatively lower cost, flexible weapons integration, training support, and fewer political restrictions compared to Western defence systems.
Former Pakistan Air Force Air Commodore Adil Sultan said the platform had demonstrated credible operational performance, making it an attractive option for several air forces.
If finalised, the deal — estimated at around $900 million — would mark Somalia’s largest defence investment in decades and could significantly enhance its defence capabilities across coastal and inland regions.
Analysts believe the potential acquisition could also reshape the security dynamics of the Horn of Africa by reducing Somalia’s dependence on foreign air support while enabling greater sovereign control over its airspace.