Pakistan Suspends $1.5 Billion Sudan Arms Deal After Saudi Arabia Withdraws Financing

Pakistan has placed a $1.5 billion defense agreement to supply advanced weaponry to Sudan's Sudanese Armed Forces on hold after Saudi Arabia abruptly withdrew its financial backing and raised strong objections to the deal. The package, which had reached advanced stages of negotiation by January 2026, included JF-17 Thunder light attack aircraft, over 200 drones, and air-defense systems. Saudi Arabia withdrew after reportedly facing pressure from Western nations — particularly the US and UK — who advised Riyadh against involvement in African proxy conflicts. Without Saudi financing, the deal became unaffordable for Sudan's cash-strapped SAF government. The suspension represents a significant setback for SAF's air power modernization at a critical stage of the war: RSF's Colombian mercenary drone operators have demonstrably improved RSF UAV strike capability, and SAF had hoped JF-17s would restore air dominance. A separate Pakistani $4 billion arms package with Libya's National Army faces similar jeopardy. Neither Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, nor Sudan officially confirmed the suspension.