{"id":66654,"date":"2026-08-04T21:14:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T21:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=66654"},"modified":"2026-08-04T21:24:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T21:24:32","slug":"pakistan-somalia-defense-mou-signed-by-defense-ministers-visiting-delegation-is-expected-to-meet-cds-field-marshal-asim-munir-for-talks-on-jf-17-thunder-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-somalia-defense-mou-signed-by-defense-ministers-visiting-delegation-is-expected-to-meet-cds-field-marshal-asim-munir-for-talks-on-jf-17-thunder-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan Somalia Defense MoU Signed by Defense Ministers | Visiting Delegation is Expected to Meet CDS, Field Marshal Asim Munir for Talks on JF-17 Thunder Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"ISLAMABAD : 04 Aug 2026. Somalia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan regarding defense cooperation. The aim of this MoU is to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Somalia in the fields of defense, security, and the development of Somalia’s military capabilities.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The MoU was signed in Islamabad by Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.<\/p>\n

The memorandum provides for cooperation in counterterrorism, military training, the exchange of military expertise and defence capacity building.<\/p>\n

Somalian Ministry of Defense issued a statement, the MoU reflected the two countries’ commitment to strengthening their strategic relationship and expanding cooperation in the defence and security sectors, laying the foundation for closer collaboration between their armed forces.<\/p>\n

Somalia has expanded defence partnerships with regional and international allies as it seeks to rebuild its security institutions and strengthen its campaign against Islamist militant group Al Shabaab.<\/p>\n

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The MoU has been signed at Ministry of Defense of Pakistan and not at the General Headquarters of Pakistan Army that is a relatively new phenomenon in Pakistan. Mostly , the Chief of Defense, Field Marshal , COAS General Asim Munir hosts such engagements like one he did with Commander of East Libya General Khalifa Haftar.<\/p>\n

Another notable matter in this MoU is the sale of JF-17 Thunder is absent in the talks. Previously, both countries were discussing the deal on fighter jets in the context of new security challenges to Somalia when the separatists declared another state ” Somaliland ” and Israel recognized it asap.<\/p>\n

Now when the senior most official of defense from Somalia is in Pakistan, his meeting with General Asim Munir is expected on 05 Aug. This MoU will be taken as a routine understanding between the two sides if a meeting and meaningful discussion is not held between the visiting minister and CDS of Pakistan.<\/p>\n

Somalia advanced high-level negotiations to acquire up to 24 JF-17 \u201cThunder\u201d fighter jets from Pakistan, taking a historic step toward rebuilding an air combat force that has been grounded since the collapse of the state in 1991. In Pakistan some media reports claimed that the deal has been signed but it was never confirmed from any side.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ahmed Ali Shaikh, Editor Somalia Today has authored a detailed article on the topic. He writes ;<\/span><\/p>\n

The talks focus on the advanced Block III variant and form part of a multi-phased package valued at about $900 million, sources told\u00a0Somalia Today.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

If finalised, the deal would stand as Mogadishu\u2019s largest and most consequential defence purchase since the Cold War, signalling a major shift in the Horn of Africa\u2019s regional security architecture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Somalia Announces Ban on Israeli-Linked Ships in Bab al – Mandeb Strait<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n