Somalia is engaged in discussions with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, a move that could represent its most ambitious step toward rebuilding air combat strength since 1991, according to foreign media reports. The potential deal signals Somalia’s intention to reestablish a capable air force after decades without a functional fixed-wing combat fleet following the collapse of the central government in the early 1990s.
Talks reportedly accelerated after Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali visited Islamabad in February 2026, where defence cooperation was discussed in detail. A senior defence ministry official in Mogadishu stated that Somalia aims to enhance its ability to safeguard national airspace independently. Acquiring the JF-17 would allow the country to restore its sovereign air defence capacity and lessen dependence on foreign security partners.
Pakistan’s Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj highlighted that the JF-17 is a comparatively affordable alternative to Western-built fighter aircraft, with each unit estimated to cost between $30 million and $40 million. He pointed out that competing aircraft platforms can be more than three times as expensive, making the JF-17 a financially viable solution for developing nations.
Analysts based in Islamabad note that the JF-17 package typically includes pilot training, spare parts, weapons integration, and maintenance support, offering a comprehensive defence solution with fewer political restrictions attached.
If finalized, the agreement could be valued at approximately $900 million, marking Somalia’s largest defence acquisition in decades. The induction of the JF-17 would significantly strengthen Somalia’s ability to monitor and defend its airspace and coastline in the strategically important Horn of Africa region.
