Pakistan has deployed thousands of troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia amid the war with Iran
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets and an air defence system to Saudi Arabia as part of a defence agreement between the two countries.
This was reported to Reuters by three security officials and two government sources.
According to them, this is a fully combat-ready force intended to support Saudi Arabia in the event of further attacks on the kingdom.
The Pakistani military and the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Saudi Arabia’s state media, did not respond to the agency’s requests for comment.
The details of the defence agreement, which the parties signed last year, remain confidential. However, both countries have previously stated that the document provides for mutual defence in the event of an attack.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has previously stated that Saudi Arabia is under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella.
According to Reuters sources, Pakistan deployed a full squadron of around 16 aircraft to Saudi Arabia in early April. Most of these are JF-17 fighter jets, which Pakistan co-manufactures with China.
Two sources also stated that Pakistan had sent two squadrons of drones to the kingdom.
All five sources reported that the contingent comprises around 8,000 troops, as well as the Chinese HQ-9 air defence system.
According to them, the equipment is maintained by the Pakistani military, while funding is provided by Saudi Arabia.
Two representatives of the security services stated that the military and air force units deployed during the war with Iran would primarily perform advisory and training functions.
At the same time, according to three sources, thousands of Pakistani troops were already in Saudi Arabia on combat missions under previous agreements.
One of the government sources, who is familiar with the text of the confidential agreement, said that the document allows for the deployment of up to 80,000 Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia to guard the kingdom’s borders alongside Saudi forces.
Two security officials also stated that the agreement provides for the deployment of Pakistani naval vessels. Reuters has been unable to confirm whether they have arrived in Saudi Arabia.
According to sources, the scale of the deployment of troops, fighter jets and air defence systems indicates a significantly broader involvement by Pakistan than a symbolic or purely advisory mission.
Reuters had previously reported that Pakistan had sent aircraft to Saudi Arabia following Iran’s strikes on the kingdom’s key energy infrastructure, which resulted in the death of a Saudi Arabian citizen.
This happened even before Islamabad became the main mediator in the conflict and helped broker a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, which has now been in place for six weeks.
Pakistan also hosted a single round of peace talks between the US and Iran. Subsequent meetings were later cancelled by the parties.
Saudi Arabia has carried out a series of covert strikes against Iran in response to attacks within the kingdom.
Pakistan has long provided Saudi Arabia with military support, particularly in the areas of training and consultancy. At the same time, Riyadh has repeatedly provided Islamabad with financial assistance during periods of economic hardship.
