MOGADISHU — Somalia is stepping up efforts to rebuild and strengthen its Air Force as defence cooperation with Pakistan expands, with senior Pakistani Air Force officials holding talks in Mogadishu on air defence, military training and capacity building.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday received a high-level delegation from the Pakistan Air Force led by Air Marshal Muhammad Sarfraz, Commander of Air Defence and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force.
The meeting focused on strengthening defence cooperation between Somalia and Pakistan, with particular attention to the development of Somalia’s air capabilities, training and professional development of personnel, and closer cooperation in air defence.
The visit comes shortly after Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi travelled to Pakistan on August 4, 2026, where discussions centred on strengthening bilateral defence and security cooperation. Pakistani officials subsequently reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its security institutions and military capabilities.
The Pakistani delegation is also scheduled to engage directly with the Somali Air Force Command. Somali Air Force Commander Brigadier General Abdirisak Mohamud Haji received the delegation in Mogadishu, with officials expected to discuss closer cooperation between the two air forces and the development of Somalia’s air-defence capabilities.
The renewed cooperation comes as Somalia works to rebuild an air force capable of supporting national security operations after decades in which the country had limited indigenous air capabilities.
The development of trained Somali air-force personnel is expected to be an important component of the rebuilding programme. Somali officers and members of a new generation of Air Force personnel were present during the Pakistani delegation’s reception in Mogadishu.
JF-17 Fighter Jets
There has also been growing attention around reports that Somalia could acquire JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan as part of efforts to establish a modern combat-air capability.
Some reports have linked the broader defence discussions to a potential purchase of JF-17 aircraft. However, the latest official statements confirming the Pakistani delegation’s visit have focused on air-defence cooperation, training and capacity building and do not publicly confirm a final JF-17 procurement agreement or a delivery date.
If such an acquisition is eventually confirmed, it would represent a major development in Somalia’s efforts to rebuild its national air capabilities.
For now, the focus remains on strengthening institutional cooperation, training Somali personnel and developing the country’s air-defence structure.
The latest engagement signals a deepening Somalia-Pakistan defence relationship at a time when Mogadishu is seeking to strengthen the Somali National Armed Forces and gradually expand the country’s capacity to assume greater responsibility for national security.
