Somalia seeks 24 JF-17 Block III fighter jets from Pakistan in $900 million deal.

Somalia is negotiating the acquisition of up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III multirole fighter jets from Pakistan, in a package valued at about $900 million.

On February 21, 2026, the Somali Guardian announced that Somalia is negotiating the acquisition of up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III multirole fighter jets from Pakistan in a package valued at nearly $900 million, equivalent to about Rs2.51 trillion. The proposed procurement would represent Somalia’s largest defense investment since 1991 and aims to restore its national air force capability. Like many other countries, the JF-17 future deal is expected to include training, weapons integration, and long-term sustainment support.
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The JF-17 Block 3 incorporates an active electronically scanned array radar, an upgraded electronic warfare suite, a helmet-mounted display and sight system, and compatibility with advanced beyond-visual-range and short-range air-to-air missiles. (Picture source: Pakistan Air Force)

Somalia entered negotiations with Pakistan for the purchase of up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III multirole fighter jets, as the Somali Air Force fleet currently includes light utility and transport aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and Cessna 182, as well as helicopters, including the Mil Mi-8 and Agusta-Bell 412, but not a single fighter jet. This talk, therefore, represents Somalia’s most significant effort since 1991 to rebuild a capable fighter jet fleet after the collapse of its central government, and follows a February 2026 visit to Islamabad by Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali. The acquisition would constitute Somalia’s largest defense investment since the Cold War and would aim to secure national airspace and an extensive coastline critical to trade and maritime security. Like many other countries, the arrangement is structured as a comprehensive defense package that extends beyond JF-17 delivery into training, weapons integration, and sustainment.

Somalia’s objective is to restore an air combat capability absent since 1991, with emphasis on modern air defense, territorial surveillance, and maritime coverage. Control of airspace in the Horn of Africa directly affects border security, counterterrorism operations, and protection of sea lines of communication. Pakistani Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj stated that Western alternatives can cost more than three times the $30 million to $40 million unit price of a JF-17, a key consideration for one of the poorest African countries. The projected scale of up to 24 aircraft indicates the formation of multiple operational elements and a focus on long-term security cooperation with Pakistan, including operational readiness, weapons compatibility, and structured pilot training programs. If completed, the deal would formalize a new phase of bilateral defense relations between Mogadishu and Islamabad.

The package under negotiation includes pilot conversion training, logistics support, spare parts supply, and integrated weapons capability to ensure sustained operations. The structure addresses not only acquisition but also maintenance, operational generation rates, and long-term force development. Potential external financial backing from Saudi Arabia and Turkey has been mentioned as a mechanism to facilitate payment arrangements and strengthen regional cooperation. The agreement would reduce Somalia’s reliance on foreign airpower, including support previously associated with the United States and Türkiye. Full sovereign control of Somali airspace, including over Somaliland, a self-declared autonomous region recently recognized by Israel, forms part of the strategic rationale. Parallel diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and Somalia has included steps toward abolishing visas for diplomatic passport holders, indicating an increased state-to-state coordination.

The JF-17 Thunder Block III itself is the latest variant of the JF-17 Thunder, a fourth-generation single-engine lightweight multirole combat aircraft jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chinese Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. The aircraft entered service in 2007 and is in operation with the Pakistan Air Force as well as export customers including Myanmar, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan. The Block III variant incorporates an active electronically scanned array radar, upgraded avionics, a three-axis digital fly-by-wire flight control system, and an enhanced electronic warfare suite. It is equipped with a helmet-mounted display and sight system and supports integration of beyond-visual-range and within-visual-range air-to-air missiles. The aircraft retains a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and supports in-flight refueling capability for extended range and loiter time. Serial production of the Block III began on December 30, 2020, with deliveries to the Pakistan Air Force commencing in 2023.

The airframe follows a semi-monocoque structure constructed primarily from aluminum alloys with selective use of titanium and high-strength steel in critical sections, and increased the use of composite materials for later variants. The JF-17 has seven external hardpoints and can carry up to 1,500 kg of external ordnance, including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-ship weapons. Internal armament consists of a 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel cannon mounted under the port air intake. The Block III integrates the KLJ-7A air-cooled AESA radar, capable of tracking multiple targets and supporting simultaneous engagements. An infrared search and track system and a missile approach warning system are included to enhance survivability. The cockpit features three multifunction displays and a wide-angle holographic head-up display to support mission management and sensor fusion.

The JF-17 Block III is currently powered by the Russian Klimov RD-93MA afterburning turbofan engine, an evolution of the RD-93 used in earlier blocks, providing a thrust-to-weight ratio approaching 0.99 with full internal fuel and no external payload. The fuel system comprises internal tanks with a capacity of 2,330 kg, supplemented by up to three external drop tanks for extended endurance. The JF-17 supports a MIL-STD-1760 compatible stores management system, enabling integration of diverse munitions, including PL-10 and PL-15 air-to-air missiles and precision-guided air-to-surface weapons. The Block III includes an upgraded electronic warfare management system and enhanced data link capability for network-centric operations. More than 180 JF-17 aircraft have been produced across all variants, with production split between China and Pakistan. The Block III configuration is also intended to support future evolution under Pakistan’s PFX program, aimed at further radar, avionics, and weapons enhancements.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.