Pakistan deploys 8,000 troops, jets and HQ-9 air defence to Saudi Arabia, Reuters reports

Pakistan Deploys Thousands Of Troops, Jet Fighter Squadron To Saudi Arabia Via The Cradle Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a ​squadron of fighter jets, and an air defense system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defense pact, Reuters reported on Monday, citing security and government officials. The officials described the Pakistani deployment as a "substantial, combat-capable force intended to support Saudi Arabia's military if the kingdom comes under further attack," Reuters wrote. Illustrative via Pakistan air force Pakistan's military cooperation with ‌the Saudi kingdom is expanding amid threats by the US and Israel to renew military operations against Iran, which ceased following the announcement of a ceasefire on April 8. During the war, Iran carried out attacks against US military bases and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia in response to the kingdom's support for the US and Israeli aggression. Saudi Arabia responded by launching numerous unpublicized strikes on Iran. However, Riyadh has sought in recent weeks to de-escalate the conflict, while Islamabad has served as a mediator in talks between Washington and Tehran. The defense agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reportedly requires both Islamic countries ⁠to come to each other's defense in the event of an attack. Reuters noted that Saudi Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has previously suggested the agreement offers Saudi Arabia protection ​under Pakistan's nuclear umbrella. According to the sources speaking with the news agency, Pakistan has deployed a full squadron of around 16 warplanes, including JF-17 fighters made jointly with China, two squadrons of drones, and around 8,000 troops. Pakistan has pledged to send additional troops if needed, as well as a Chinese HQ-9 air defense system. Both countries benefit from the alliance, as Pakistan has a large military due to its decades-long conflict with India, while Saudi Arabia provides badly needed foreign currency to Pakistan's heavily indebted government. Talks are reportedly underway to bring both Turkiye and Qatar into the Saudi–Pakistani alliance.  Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif revealed during an interview with Hum News on 11 May that a deal to bring Turkiye and Qatar into the mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia is being “finalized.” “If Qatar and Turkiye also join the existing agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, it would create significant cooperation in both the economic and defense spheres in our region and reduce external dependence,” Asif told Pakistan-based Hum News, adding that their inclusion would be “a welcome development.” Last week, the Financial Times (FT) reported that Saudi Arabia has “floated” the possibility of reaching a “non-aggression pact” between Iran and neighboring states modeled on the 1975 Helsinki Accords, which eased tensions during the Cold War in Europe. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, H.E. Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy, called on Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today. Discussions focused on the fraternal Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations. DPM/FM… pic.twitter.com/oaQ4HraDev — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 18, 2026 The Saudi-proposed pact for the day after the US-Israeli war on Iran ends reportedly has support from several European capitals, which view it as “the best way to avoid future conflict” and have urged Arab states to support it. The British daily cites an unnamed Arab diplomat who says that such a pact would be welcomed “by most Arab and Muslim states, as well as by Iran,” although concerns remain about Israel's continued threats to reignite the war regardless of any deal. Tyler Durden Tue, 05/19/2026 - 03:30

Pakistan deployed 8,000 troops, a Chinese air defence system and warplanes to Saudi Arabia: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 05/18/2026 - 21:40 The US-Israeli war on Iran has put a spotlight on Saudi Arabia’s defence pact with Pakistan Pakistani fighter jets fly during a multinational naval exercise in the Arabian Sea near Pakistan's port city of Karachi, on 10 February 2025 (Asif Hassan/AFP) Off Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a fighter jet squadron and a Chinese air defence system to Saudi Arabia as part of its mutual defence pact with the kingdom, Reuters reported on Monday. The deployments, which enhance the number of Pakistani troops and military assets in the kingdom, began in early April, Reuters reported. Pakistan has deployed a squadron of around 16 aircraft, mostly JF-17 warplanes, which it produces jointly with China. In addition, it has deployed an HQ-9 Chinese air defence system. The presence of sophisticated Chinese weaponry in Saudi Arabia overlaps with high-tech US-made systems operating in the country. Saudi Arabia has Patriot and Thaad air defence systems. In fact, the kingdom has the largest stockpile of Patriot interceptors in the Gulf. The US-Israeli war on Iran has put a spotlight on Saudi Arabia’s defence pact with Pakistan, which was signed in September 2025, following Israel’s attack on Hamas negotiators in Doha, Qatar. Iran responded to the US-Israeli attack by launching thousands of drones and missiles against the Gulf states. During the early weeks of the war, some Saudi commentators raised the defence pact with Pakistan, saying it placed them under the latter’s nuclear umbrella. A US official told Middle East Eye that Islamabad had become wary of some of this language and discussed it with Saudi Arabia. The deployment of military assets underscores how Islamabad tried to address Saudi Arabia’s security concerns. Reuters reported that the agreement left open the possibility of deploying 80,000 Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia to secure the kingdom’s borders. Pakistan delivers weapons to Libya's Haftar as part of Saudi-financed deal, sources say Read More » The agreement also involves the deployment of Pakistani warships, although Reuters could not verify if they had reached the kingdom. The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed by competing Iranian and US blockades. Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast is accessed from the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where the Houthis have previously attacked vessels. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have historical security ties, which have come under focus amid the war on Iran. Islamabad mediated a ceasefire between the US and Iran in April. Saudi Arabia supported the negotiations, and after the UAE pulled a $3bn loan to Pakistan in response to its hosting of the talks, Riyadh extended a financial lifeline to the South Asian country. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have discussed broadening their security pact to include Turkey. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has leaned on Pakistani arms to try to pull some regional actors out of the UAE’s orbit. MEE reported in April that Pakistan delivered five cargo planes of weapons to Libya's eastern government, led by military ruler Khalifa Haftar, as part of a deal financed by the kingdom. Inside Saudi Arabia News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0