Pakistan Sends Combat Jets to Saudi Arabia Under Bilateral Defence Pact

Pakistan has deployed an air force contingent in Saudi Arabia as part of a bilateral defence agreement that the two had signed last year.

Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said on Saturday (April 11, 2026) that the Pakistani military air contingent was sent in a bid to boost the joint operational readiness.

The deployment signaled continued military cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, even as West Asia was engulfed in a war between the US and Iran.

After the US and Israel jointly targeted Iran, the latter has hit American military facilities in Saudi Arabia.

The Pakistani air contingent arrived at the King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province under a bilateral defence agreement.

“The force, which includes fighter and support aircraft from the Pakistani Air Force, aims to strengthen joint military coordination and elevate operational readiness between the Saudi and Pakistani armed forces to further support regional and international security and stability,” Saudi state news agency SPA reported, quoting the Defence Ministry.
 
Saudi Arabia, a key US ally and major oil producer, has sought to avoid direct military escalation with Iran despite attacks on its energy infrastructure, while maintaining close security coordination with partners including Pakistan.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a long-standing strategic relationship, with cooperation spanning defence, energy, and economic sectors.

Last year, they signed a mutual defence agreement and also regularly conduct joint exercises and coordinate on regional security issues.