Why is Somalia spending $900 million on fighter jets — and what happens next?
The talks centre on the advanced Block III variant and form part of a multi-phased package valued at about $900 million, sources told Somalia Today.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - Somalia is advancing high-level negotiations to acquire up to 24 JF-17 “Thunder” fighter jets from Pakistan, marking a historic step toward rebuilding an air combat force grounded since the state collapsed in 1991.
The talks centre on the advanced Block III variant and form part of a multi-phased package valued at about $900 million, sources told Somalia Today.
If finalised, the agreement would represent Mogadishu’s largest defence purchase in decades and signal a major shift in the Horn of Africa’s security landscape.
Although Somali and Pakistani officials have not publicly commented, discussions reportedly extend beyond the aircraft themselves.
The package includes pilot training, weapons integration, maintenance support, and long-term logistics — critical components for rebuilding a functioning air force.
During the Cold War, Somalia operated one of sub-Saharan Africa’s strongest air forces, flying Soviet MiG-21s and British Hawker Hunters.
That capability collapsed after the 1991 overthrow of Siad Barre, as years of conflict left airbases destroyed and aircraft abandoned.
Today, Somalia relies heavily on foreign partners such as the United States and Turkey for drone operations, surveillance, and logistical air support in its fight against the Al-Shabaab insurgency.
The negotiations follow a landmark diplomatic development: the United Nations Security Council’s December 2023 decision to lift a three-decade arms embargo on Somalia’s federal government.
The move opened the door for Mogadishu to legally procure advanced weaponry as it seeks to modernise its military.
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Somalia’s push for sovereign air power also coincides with the African Union’s transition from the ATMIS peacekeeping mission to the new AUSSOM stabilisation force, which aims to gradually hand over security responsibilities to Somali forces.
The JF-17, co-developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s AVIC Chengdu, is marketed as a cost-effective alternative to Western jets.
With a unit price estimated between $30 million and $40 million, it offers a more affordable option compared to aircraft such as the F-16.
Powered by a turbofan engine, the JF-17 can reach speeds of Mach 1.6 and has a combat radius exceeding 1,300 kilometres — performance suited to Somalia’s vast territory and long coastline.
The Block III variant features AESA radar, enhanced sensors, and improved strike capability, enabling air defence, maritime patrol, and ground attack missions.
Analysts note that a programme approaching $1 billion would far exceed Somalia’s annual security budget, estimated at around $255 million in 2025.
As a result, regional allies such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia — both of which have deepened military cooperation with Mogadishu — are widely viewed as potential financial backers.
Military experts caution, however, that rebuilding air combat capability requires more than acquiring jets.
Sustained operations demand trained personnel, maintenance infrastructure, secure airbases, and steady munitions supplies.
While fighter aircraft alone will not defeat Al-Shabaab’s guerrilla tactics, a sovereign fast-jet capability could enhance Somalia’s ability to patrol its 3,300-kilometre coastline and assert greater control over its airspace — a development that could reshape regional security dynamics.
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.