Somalia is in negotiations with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets in a deal estimated at approximately $900 million, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
If finalized, the agreement would mark Somalia’s first major effort to rebuild its fixed-wing combat air capability since the collapse of the central government in 1991.
The talks follow the lifting of the United Nations arms embargo on Somalia in late 2023. The removal of the decades-long restriction opened the door for Mogadishu to pursue advanced military acquisitions as part of broader security sector reforms.
Negotiations reportedly gained momentum after Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali visited Islamabad in February 2026. During the visit, discussions focused on the acquisition of the JF-17 Thunder Block III variant, the most advanced version of the aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China.
The Block III model is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar and upgraded avionics. The aircraft is designed for multirole operations, including air defense, ground attack and precision strike missions.
Sources indicate that the proposed $900 million package would go beyond the aircraft themselves. It is expected to include pilot training, technical personnel instruction, weapons integration and long-term maintenance and logistics support.
Somalia has been working to rebuild its national armed forces amid ongoing operations against the militant group Al-Shabaab. The government has increasingly emphasized the need for enhanced air capabilities to support counterinsurgency efforts and strengthen territorial control.
For decades, Somalia’s air force has remained largely inactive, with limited operational aircraft. The acquisition of modern fighter jets would represent a significant shift in its defense posture and regional military profile.
Security analysts note that rebuilding an air combat capability requires substantial infrastructure, including upgraded airbases, radar systems and command-and-control networks. Training and sustainment costs are also considered critical factors in long-term viability.
Pakistan has actively marketed the JF-17 to international buyers as a cost-effective multirole platform. The aircraft has been exported to several countries and is positioned as an alternative to higher-cost Western fighter jets.
The potential deal comes at a time of evolving security dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Somalia has been strengthening bilateral defense relationships and expanding cooperation with regional and international partners.
Officials have not publicly confirmed that a final agreement has been signed. The timeline for delivery, financing arrangements and specific weapons packages remain under discussion.
Regional observers are monitoring the talks closely, as the acquisition of advanced fighter aircraft could alter the balance of air capabilities in the Horn of Africa.
For Somalia, the proposed purchase signals an ambition to modernize its armed forces and assert greater control over national airspace following decades of limited capacity. The outcome of the negotiations will determine whether the country proceeds with its most significant military aviation investment in more than three decades.
