By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Pakistan has significantly expanded its military presence in Saudi Arabia, deploying thousands of troops, fighter jets, drones, and advanced air defense systems as tensions linked to the ongoing Iran conflict continue to reshape regional security dynamics.
According to multiple security and government sources, Islamabad has sent roughly 8,000 military personnel alongside a squadron of fighter aircraft under a confidential mutual defense agreement signed with Riyadh last year.
The deployment, reported publicly in full detail for the first time, marks one of Pakistan’s largest military commitments to Saudi Arabia in recent years. Officials familiar with the arrangement described the force as combat-ready and capable of supporting Saudi defenses if the kingdom faces additional attacks related to the widening instability surrounding Iran.
Sources indicated that Pakistan dispatched around 16 fighter aircraft, mainly JF-17 Thunder jets developed jointly with China, to Saudi Arabia in early April. In addition to combat aircraft, Pakistan is also said to have sent drone squadrons and the Chinese-made HQ-9 air defense system, designed to counter missile and aerial threats. Pakistani military personnel are reportedly operating the equipment directly, while Saudi Arabia is financing the deployment.
Although Pakistan’s government and military leadership have not publicly commented on the reports, analysts believe the move highlights the deep strategic ties between Islamabad and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has long relied on Pakistan for military training, advisory assistance, and defense cooperation, while the Gulf kingdom has repeatedly provided Pakistan with financial aid during economic crises.
Officials familiar with the defense arrangement said the recently deployed personnel are expected to focus largely on advisory, training, and operational support roles during the current Iran-related tensions. However, security sources stressed that Pakistan already maintains combat-capable forces stationed in Saudi Arabia under older agreements, meaning the latest reinforcements go beyond symbolic support.
One source familiar with the confidential pact claimed the agreement allows for the possible deployment of up to 80,000 Pakistani troops if Saudi security conditions deteriorate dramatically. Reports also suggest that naval cooperation may form part of the arrangement, with discussions involving the deployment of Pakistani warships, though it remains unclear whether any vessels have reached Saudi waters.
The military buildup comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Pakistan, which has simultaneously positioned itself as a diplomatic mediator in the Iran conflict. Islamabad played a major role in helping facilitate a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, which has reportedly held for more than six weeks. Pakistan also hosted rare talks between U.S. and Iranian representatives aimed at reducing regional tensions.
Yet Pakistan’s growing defense role in Saudi Arabia raises questions about how Islamabad balances its close relationship with Riyadh while maintaining diplomatic credibility with Tehran. The country shares a border with Iran and has historically tried to avoid being pulled directly into Middle Eastern rivalries.
Earlier reports indicated Pakistan had already sent fighter jets to Saudi Arabia following Iranian-linked strikes on critical Saudi energy infrastructure that reportedly killed a Saudi citizen and increased fears of a broader regional war. Since then, reports have emerged alleging Saudi retaliatory operations against Iranian targets, further escalating concerns about instability in the Gulf.
The latest deployment underscores how quickly regional alliances are evolving as Middle Eastern powers strengthen military partnerships amid fears that the Iran conflict could expand. For Saudi Arabia, Pakistan remains one of its closest and most trusted security partners.
For Pakistan, the arrangement reinforces a decades-old alliance that carries both military and economic importance, even as Islamabad continues trying to position itself as a peacemaker in one of the region’s most dangerous crises.
Source Reuters
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