Pakistan pauses $1. 5B Sudan arms deal after Saudi pushback

Pakistan has halted a planned $1.5 billion sale of weapons and fighter jets to Sudan following a request from Saudi Arabia to terminate the agreement. The decision came after Riyadh refused to fund the purchase, according to two Pakistani security officials and a diplomatic source.

Context: Sudan’s Turmoil

• Ongoing conflict: For the past three years, Sudan's army has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), sparking a severe humanitarian crisis.
• Foreign interests: Competing foreign actors have entered the fray, threatening to fragment a nation rich in gold.

The Deal’s Backstory

• January close‑call: The arms deal was reportedly near finalization in January, facilitated by Saudi Arabia. No financing from Riyadh had been confirmed at that time.
• Pakistan’s defensive push: It followed the Pakistani military’s pursuit of several defence contracts after its aircraft and systems gained attention during clashes with India in May last year.

Saudi–Pakistan Dynamics

• Key ally: Saudi Arabia provides crucial loans and economic support to Pakistan.
• Mutual defence pact: The two nations signed a mutual defence agreement last year, treating an attack on one as an attack on both.
• Finance withdrawal: Saudi Arabia signalled it would not finance the Sudan deal, urging Islamabad to cancel it.

Reactions and Silence

• No comment: Saudi officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did Sudan’s armed forces.
• Pakistani military: The Pakistani military also did not confirm the deal was underway.

Regional Implications

• Western caution: Western governments warned Riyadh against involvement in African proxy wars.
• Saudi–UAE dynamics: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have supported opposing factions in several regional conflicts. While both claim to favour diplomatic solutions, Saudis back Sudan’s army and the UAE has faced accusations of aiding the RSF, which it denies.
• Other risks: A March meeting in Riyadh between Sudanese army leaders and Saudi officials reportedly led to the termination of Saudi financing. A separate $4 billion agreement with Libya’s National Army is also at risk as Saudis reassess their strategies in both countries.