Pakistan deploys 8,000 troops and fighter jet squadron to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets and an air defence system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence pact, significantly deepening military cooperation with Riyadh even as Islamabad acts as a key mediator in the Iran conflict.

The deployment — reported in full for the first time — was confirmed by three security officials and two government sources, who described it as a substantial combat-ready force aimed at supporting Saudi Arabia’s military in the event of further attacks on the kingdom.

Pakistan’s military and foreign office, as well as Saudi Arabia’s government media office, did not respond to requests for comment.

Although the full details of the defence agreement signed last year remain confidential, both countries have said the pact obliges them to support each other in the event of an attack. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has previously suggested that the agreement effectively places Saudi Arabia under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella.

According to the sources, Pakistan deployed a full squadron of about 16 aircraft — mainly Chinese co-produced JF-17 fighter jets — to Saudi Arabia in early April. Two security officials also said Pakistan sent two squadrons of drones.

All five sources said the deployment includes around 8,000 troops, with a commitment to send additional forces if required, along with a Chinese-made HQ-9 air defence system.

They said the equipment is being operated by Pakistani personnel and financed by Saudi Arabia.

Two security officials familiar with military exchanges and deployment documents said the Pakistani military and air force personnel involved during the Iran conflict would mainly serve in advisory and training roles.

The latest deployment adds to thousands of Pakistani troops already stationed in Saudi Arabia under earlier agreements, according to the three security officials.

One government source familiar with the confidential pact said it allows for the deployment of up to 80,000 Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia to help secure the kingdom’s borders alongside Saudi forces.

Two security officials also said the agreement covers the deployment of Pakistani warships, although Reuters could not confirm whether any had already reached Saudi Arabia.

Sources said the scale and composition of the deployment — including combat aircraft, air defence systems and thousands of troops — indicate that Pakistan has sent far more than a symbolic or purely advisory mission.

Reuters had earlier reported that Pakistan dispatched fighter jets to Saudi Arabia after Iranian strikes targeted critical energy infrastructure and killed a Saudi national, raising fears that Riyadh might retaliate and further escalate the conflict.

The deployment took place before Islamabad emerged as the main mediator in the war, helping broker a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran that has remained in place for the past six weeks. Pakistan also hosted the only round of US-Iran peace talks so far, though plans for further negotiations were later abandoned.

Reuters has since reported that Saudi Arabia carried out several previously undisclosed retaliatory strikes on Iran following attacks inside the kingdom.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long maintained close military ties, with Islamabad providing training and military support, while Riyadh has repeatedly extended financial assistance to Pakistan during times of economic difficulty.