Somalia is reportedly in talks with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, a move that could mark its most significant step since 1991 toward rebuilding its air combat capability.
The discussions gained pace after Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali visited Islamabad in February 2026. Somalia has not maintained a functional fixed-wing combat fleet since the collapse of its central government in the early 1990s.
A defence ministry official in Mogadishu said the government aims to strengthen its ability to protect national airspace. The proposed purchase would help restore an independent air defence capability and reduce reliance on foreign partners.
Pakistan’s Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj stated that the JF-17 is a cost-effective option compared to many Western fighter jets, with an estimated price ranging between $30 million and $40 million per aircraft. He noted that some alternative platforms can cost more than three times that amount.
According to analysts in Islamabad, the JF-17 package typically includes aircraft delivery, pilot training, spare parts, and weapons integration, making it appealing for countries looking for relatively affordable options with fewer political conditions attached to defence agreements.
If finalised, the deal could be valued at approximately $900 million, potentially becoming Somalia’s largest defence purchase in decades. The acquisition would strengthen Somalia’s ability to secure its airspace and coastline in the strategically important Horn of Africa region.
