Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft. Photo: Courtesy — x.com
ISLAMABAD:
Military-to-military engagement with friendly countries is a routine affair that includes various facets of defense cooperation, Pakistani security sources said on Friday, following a Reuters report that claims Pakistan is in the final stages of a $1.5 billion arms deal with Sudan.
According to Reuters, citing three sources familiar with the matter who requested anonymity, the proposed deal includes 10 Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft, more than 200 reconnaissance and kamikaze drones and advanced air defense systems.
The deal was described as a “done deal” by a retired air marshal. He told Reuters the package also includes Super Mushshak trainers and possibly JF-17 fighters, although he did not provide numbers or a delivery timeline.
A spokesman for Sudan’s army did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In response to queries, Pakistani security sources said that defense cooperation with friendly states routinely covers equipment supply, training and military exchanges. They emphasized that such engagements are generally disclosed through minimal public statements and should not be subject to speculation.
“Details of such engagement are being shared sparingly and should not be matters of conjecture,” the sources told The Express Pakinomist.
