Pakistan is in the final phases of striking a $1.5-billion deal to supply weapons and jets to Sudan, a former top air force official and three sources said, promising a major boost for Sudan’s army, battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
– Their conflict has stoked the world’s worst humanitarian crisis for more than 2-1/2 years, drawing in myriad foreign interests, and threatening to fragment the strategic Red Sea country, a major gold producer.
– The deal with Pakistan encompasses 10 Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft, more than 200 drones for scouting and kamikaze attacks, and advanced air defence systems.
– It was a “done deal”, said Aamir Masood, a retired Pakistani air marshal.
– Besides the Karakoram-8 jets, it includes Super Mushshak training aircraft, and perhaps some coveted JF-17 fighters developed jointly with China and produced in Pakistan, he added
– Assistance from Pakistan, especially drones and jets, could help Sudan’s army regain the air supremacy it had towards the start of its war with the RSF.
– Sudan’s army accuses the RSF of being supplied by the United Arab Emirates, which has denied supplying weapons.
– “Saudi Arabia may favour and support all the favourable regimes in Gulf for procurement of Pakistani military equipment and training.”
– The Saudis brokered the deal but added there was no indication they were paying for the weapons.
– Islamabad is in talks with Riyadh for a defence deal that could be worth between $2 billion and $4 billion.
– The weapons for Sudan could be included in such an agreement
– Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are part of the U.S.-led quad grouping of nations that has tried to push Sudan’s army and the RSF towards peace talks.
– On recent visits, Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan requested Saudi assistance in the war.
– The deal is another feather in the cap for Pakistan’s growing defence sector, which has drawn growing interest and investment, particularly since its jets were deployed in a conflict with India last year.
– Last month, Islamabad struck a weapons deal worth more than $4 billion with the Libyan National Army
– Pakistan has also held talks with Bangladesh on a defence deal that could includes the Super Mushshak training jets and JF-17s, as ties improve ties with Dhaka.