Report: Pakistan Deployed a Fleet of Fighter Jets and Thousands of Soldiers in Saudi Arabia During War with Iran

SadaNews Translation - Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a fleet of fighter jets, and an air defense system to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under a joint defense agreement, enhancing military cooperation with Riyadh while Islamabad plays a key mediating role in the war with Iran.

According to SadaNews translation, the deployment has been confirmed by three security officials and government sources who spoke to Reuters, all describing it as a significant combat-capable force aimed at supporting the Saudi military if the Kingdom comes under further attack.

The full terms of the defense agreement, signed last year, are confidential, but both sides have confirmed that it binds Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to defend each other in the event of an attack. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had previously hinted that the agreement places Saudi Arabia under Pakistan's nuclear umbrella.

Sources reported that Pakistan has deployed a full squadron of around 16 aircraft, mostly JF-17 fighter jets co-produced with China, which were sent to Saudi Arabia in early April. Two security officials stated that Pakistan also sent two squadrons of drones.

The five sources indicated that the deployment includes about 8,000 troops, with a commitment to send more if necessary, in addition to the Chinese HQ-9 air defense system.

They said that the equipment is operated by Pakistani personnel and financed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to two security officials, the military and air personnel deployed during the Iranian conflict will primarily take on advisory and training roles, as they stated they have seen exchanges between the two countries and documents related to the deployment of military assets.

The three security officials added that this deployment adds to the thousands of Pakistani forces already stationed in the Kingdom in a combat role under previous agreements.

One government source, who reviewed the text of the confidential defense agreement, indicated that it allows for the deployment of up to 80,000 Pakistani soldiers in Saudi Arabia to help secure the Kingdom's borders alongside Saudi forces.

Two security officials noted that the agreement also includes the deployment of Pakistani warships, without confirming whether any have arrived in Saudi Arabia.

The sources explained that the scale and composition of the deployment – fighter jets, air defenses, and thousands of soldiers – indicate that Pakistan has sent much more than just a symbolic or advisory mission.

Reuters previously reported that Pakistan sent aircraft to the Kingdom after Iranian airstrikes targeted critical energy infrastructure and resulted in the death of a Saudi citizen, raising fears that the Gulf Kingdom might retaliate strongly and escalate the conflict.

This occurred before Islamabad emerged as a key mediator in the war, assisting in brokering a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran that has held over the past six weeks. Islamabad hosted the only round of US-Iran peace talks to date and had planned further rounds, which were canceled by the parties.

Since then, Reuters has reported that Saudi Arabia has carried out several unannounced strikes on Iran in response to attacks carried out inside the Kingdom.

Pakistan has long provided military support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including training and advisory deployments, while Riyadh has repeatedly intervened to support Islamabad financially during times of economic pressure.