Sudan’s military authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to a roughly $1.5 billion arms agreement with Pakistan despite the country’s deepening humanitarian crisis and growing international concern over continued hostilities, Business Insider Africa reported.
The proposed procurement reportedly focuses on light attack aircraft, drones, and air defense systems aimed at strengthening the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) aerial capabilities after months of contested control of the skies in their conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Assets under discussion include Karakoram-8 light attack trainers, more than 200 unmanned aerial vehicles, and upgraded air defense equipment.
If finalized, the deal would rank among Sudan’s largest defense procurements in recent years and reflect Khartoum’s effort to regain battlefield momentum nearly two years after civil war erupted in April 2023.
The conflict has since escalated into what the United Nations and humanitarian agencies describe as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Recent reports indicate continued drone strikes causing civilian casualties in Greater Kordofan and attacks on aid convoys, further worsening already dire conditions.
The reported arms agreement has drawn scrutiny amid wider regional tensions and competing foreign interests. Sudan’s government has accused other states of facilitating arms supplies to rival forces—allegations that the United Arab Emirates and others have denied.
In an exclusive report about a month ago, Reuters noted that its sources did not clarify how the $1.5 billion deal would be financed. However, one analyst suggested Saudi Arabia could potentially provide support, citing the kingdom’s history of assisting allied Gulf governments in procuring Pakistani military equipment and training.
While one source said Saudi Arabia acted as a broker for the deal, there was no indication it was funding the weapons, and another source confirmed the kingdom was not providing any financial support.
Source:AS
