Somalia in advanced talks to acquire JF-17 fighters from Pakistan
The negotiations gained momentum after a February 2026 visit to Islamabad by a senior Somali delegation led by Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali, widely known as Dable Baylood.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - Somalia is reportedly in advanced negotiations with Pakistan to acquire 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, according to Defence Security Asia, in what could become Mogadishu’s most significant defence modernisation effort since the collapse of the central government in 1991.
If finalised, the deal would mark a major shift in Somalia’s military posture, signalling a transition from decades of reliance on foreign air support toward sovereign air-combat capability following the lifting of the United Nations arms embargo in December 2023.
According to Defence Security Asia, the negotiations gained momentum after a February 2026 visit to Islamabad by a senior Somali delegation led by Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali, widely known as Dable Baylood.
The visit indicated that discussions had progressed beyond preliminary interest into structured state-to-state engagement.
Pakistani officials have promoted the JF-17 as an affordable and politically flexible option for developing air forces.
Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj has previously stated that while Western fighter jets may offer more advanced technology, they often cost more than three times as much. The JF-17 Block III is estimated to cost between $30 million and $40 million per aircraft, compared to $60–80 million for an F-16 and more than $100 million for a Eurofighter Typhoon.
For Somalia, affordability is a central factor. Acquiring 24 aircraft—enough to form two operational squadrons—would allow meaningful airspace coverage rather than a symbolic presence.
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The Block III variant features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, advanced electronic warfare systems, helmet-mounted displays, and the ability to deploy beyond-visual-range missiles, precision-guided munitions, and anti-ship weapons.
With a combat radius exceeding 1,300 kilometres, the aircraft would be suited to Somalia’s vast airspace and its 3,300-kilometre coastline, which remains vulnerable to piracy, arms smuggling, and illegal trafficking.
Somalia’s air force once operated MiG-21s, MiG-17s, and Il-28 bombers during the Cold War under the Siad Barre government, but the fleet collapsed following the 1991 civil war.
For more than two decades, Mogadishu relied heavily on external partners, particularly in counter-insurgency operations against Al-Shabaab, limiting strategic autonomy.
Since the UN embargo was lifted, Turkey has supplied Bayraktar TB2 drones and deployed F-16 jets to support operations. However, analysts note that these assets do not replace the absence of an indigenous fixed-wing combat force.
Regional observers say the JF-17’s appeal extends beyond cost to political flexibility. Unlike many Western platforms, the aircraft carries fewer end-user restrictions and allows access to weapons, training, and maintenance from Pakistan and China, reducing exposure to external political pressure.
There is also speculation that Qatar could provide financial backing, while Turkey may facilitate diplomatically, positioning the programme within a broader Muslim-majority defence cooperation framework.
Despite its potential, the deal faces challenges, including pilot training, infrastructure development, sustainment capacity, and financing. The full programme cost—including weapons, spares, and training—could exceed $900 million.
If finalised, the acquisition would significantly reshape Somalia’s air-power capability, restore deterrence credibility, and signal the country’s re-emergence as a sovereign military actor in the Horn of Africa.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.