The Somali government is in advanced discussions with Pakistan to acquire JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, a deal valued at approximately $900 million.
This potential purchase represents Somalia’s most significant defense investment since the Cold War and marks a determined effort to rebuild the nation’s fixed wing combat capability, which has been non-existent since 1991.

The move comes at a delicate geopolitical moment, as Somalia seeks to protect its airspace amid rising tensions following Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland.

By pursuing the JF-17 a cost effective alternative to Western platforms Mogadishu aims to assert its sovereignty and secure its territorial integrity without the political strings often attached to more expensive hardware.

On the domestic front, rebuilding the Air Force is seen as a critical component of the ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab.

Somali defense officials have stated that airspace must be protected by Somali hands, emphasizing that autonomous airpower is essential for providing surveillance and strike capabilities against insurgents who currently control large rural areas in the south.

The deal also reflects a broader recalibration of alliances in the Horn of Africa, as Mogadishu moves closer to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan while distancing itself from previous partners.

Despite past criticism from U.S. leadership regarding regional instability, Somalia remains a strategic focal point for maritime security in the Red Sea, making its military modernization a matter of global interest.

SOURCE: BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA