Islamabad is seeking to conclude an arms deal with Khartoum with an estimated value of up to $1.5 billion aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Sudanese army in its ongoing war against the Rapid Support Forces.
According to military and diplomatic sources, the deal includes Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft and hundreds of drones for reconnaissance and attack purposes, in addition to advanced air defense systems.
The strategic dimensions of this deal are that it comes at a time when the Sudanese army is trying to regain its air superiority after major losses during the conflict, which gives it an important military boost at this time. It also reflects the entry of new international parties into the Sudanese crisis, which may change the balance of power in the field, especially with Sudan’s vital location on the Red Sea.
Analysts believe that this military support raises fears of escalating the conflict and prolonging the war, which exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and reduces the chances of a political solution with increasing foreign interventions. While others say that the Pakistani deal represents an important shift in the balance of power inside Sudan, as it gives the Sudanese army an opportunity to regain military superiority, but at the same time it portends a further complication of the humanitarian and political crisis in the country.
