Sudan Inks $1.5B Defense Deal with Pakistan

Lieutenant General Pilot Al-Tahir Mohamed Al-Awad Al-Amin, Commander of the Sudanese Air Force, accompanied by the Commander of Air Defense and members of the Sudanese Defense Industries Organization, paid an official visit to Pakistan.

During the visit, the Sudanese delegation held meetings with the Pakistani Minister of Defense, the Commander of the Pakistani Air Force, and a number of senior military officials. 

Media outlets reported that the discussions resulted in the signing of a massive defense contract with a value of over $1.5 billion between the Sudanese defense industries and the Pakistani side.

The deal covers:

• 10 K-8 Karakorum trainer/light attack aircraft

• 20 Shahpar-2 UAVs

• 150 YIHA-III UAVs

• 50 MR-10K UAVs

• 50 Ababeel-5 UAVs

• Engines for MiG-21 fighter jets

• 150 ASV Mohafiz armored vehicles

• HQ-9 and HQ-6 air defense systems

The reports indicate that the contract may be financed by a third party due to its size, reflecting the Sudanese army's adherence to a military solution to the regional conflict and the lack of progress towards negotiations.

On the other hand, observers believe that the growing defense cooperation between Sudan and Pakistan comes within a broader regional context witnessing strengthening defense relations between Pakistan and Turkey, a prominent ally of the Sudanese army.