Somalia in Talks with Pakistan to Acquire Two Dozen JF-17 Fighter Jets

• Somalia is negotiating with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets.
• Discussions intensified after Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali visited Islamabad.
• The potential USD 900 million deal would be Somalia’s largest defense investment since the Cold War era.
• Pakistan claims the JF-17 has proven capabilities, though its effectiveness is debated by experts.
• Other countries like Indonesia, Iraq, and Bangladesh have also reportedly shown interest in the JF-17.