Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter planes and an air defense system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defense agreement. Along with this, it is increasing its military cooperation with Riyadh, while on the other hand Islamabad is also playing the role of main mediator in the Iran war.
Full details of this deployment, which have come to light here for the first time, have been confirmed by three security officials and two government sources. All of them have described it as a large and combat-capable army, whose purpose is to support the Saudi Arabian army if it is attacked again.
Pakistan’s military, foreign ministry and Saudi Arabia’s government media office did not respond to requests for comment on the deployment.
An entire squadron of 16 aircraft deployed
The full terms of this defense agreement signed last year are confidential, but both sides have said that under it, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will have to come forward to protect each other in case of any attack. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had earlier also indicated that this agreement brings Saudi Arabia under the ambit of Pakistan’s ‘nuclear umbrella’.
According to sources, Pakistan has deployed an entire squadron of about 16 aircraft. Most of these are JF-17 fighter planes, which have been built in collaboration with China. These planes were sent to Saudi Arabia in early April. Two security officials said that Pakistan has also sent two squadrons of drones.
About 8,000 soldiers are involved in the deployment
All five sources said the deployment includes about 8,000 troops, and promised to send more troops if needed. In addition, a Chinese HQ-9 air defense system has also been deployed. Sources said that these equipment are operated by Pakistani personnel and its expenses are borne by Saudi Arabia.
According to two security officials, the main role of army and air force personnel deployed during the Iran conflict will be advising and training. These officials said that they have seen documents related to the communications between the two countries and the deployment of military assets.
The three security officials said that with this new deployment, the number of thousands of Pakistani soldiers who were already deployed in combat role in Saudi Arabia under previous agreements has further increased.
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