Sudan Signs $230M Military Deal with Pakistan Amid Civil War

Sudan signed a US$230 million military agreement with Pakistan on 13 October 2025, acquiring 30 K‑8 trainer/light attack aircraft, 40 Shahpar‑II unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), 200 MR‑10 surveillance drones, and 230 Mohafiz‑IV armoured security vehicles. The deal, reported by Africa Watch News and Muslim Network TV, comes amid Sudan’s ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and signals deepening defence cooperation between Khartoum and Islamabad.

Deal Overview

The new agreement follows the suspension of an earlier, larger contract valued at around US$1.5 billion, which included missile systems and additional aircraft. The revised pact focuses on enhancing air and ground capabilities, intelligence, and operational mobility.

K‑8 Jets: Trainer and light attack aircraft designed for both pilot training and tactical air support.
Shahpar‑II UCAVs: Drones capable of surveillance and precision strikes to extend SAF’s operational reach.
MR‑10 Drones: Multipurpose UAVs for intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and targeting.
Mohafiz‑IV Vehicles: Armoured security vehicles to improve troop protection and mobility.

Deliveries are expected via Port Sudan for heavy vehicles and Wadi Sayyidna Air Base for aerial systems. Reports indicate the deal was revised after China declined to supply certain missile systems due to international sanctions.

Strategic Context

Sudan has been embroiled in internal conflict since April 2023. The SAF and RSF have clashed for control over territory, infrastructure, and airspace, resulting in significant civilian displacement and destruction.

The agreement addresses key military needs:

Rebuilding air and surveillance capabilities disrupted by sanctions and conflict.
Providing rapid-response options in urban and semi-urban conflict zones.
Diversifying defence suppliers away from Western countries, whose embargoes limit Sudan’s access to hardware.

For Pakistan, the deal expands its defence export market and strengthens its presence in Africa, particularly in UAV and light attack aircraft sectors.

Operational Implications

Enhanced Combat Capability:

K‑8 jets and UCAVs increase SAF’s aerial intelligence, precision strike, and close air support capabilities.
Mohafiz‑IV armoured vehicles improve troop protection and operational mobility in contested areas.

Challenges and Risks:

Maintenance and Integration: Sudan must train personnel, manage spare parts, and ensure system maintenance. Without robust infrastructure, operational readiness could be limited.
Conflict Escalation: Additional firepower could intensify urban combat, increasing civilian casualties and prolonging the war.
Transparency and Compliance: Financing and end-use oversight remain opaque, raising questions about adherence to international arms regulations.

Regional and Geopolitical Impact

The deal reinforces Sudan’s pivot toward non-Western suppliers, signaling a shift in regional military alignments.
Neighboring countries—including Egypt, Ethiopia, and Chad—may respond with their own arms acquisitions or recalibrate security strategies.
Pakistan benefits commercially but risks reputational exposure due to Sudan’s sanctioned status and the ongoing internal conflict.

Key Points to Monitor

Delivery and Operationalization: Will the jets, drones, and vehicles be delivered on time and deployed effectively?
Training and Logistics: Can Sudan integrate these systems amid conflict and sanctions?
Impact on Peace Efforts: Will the new capabilities harden positions and reduce incentives for negotiation, or help secure leverage for talks?
International Scrutiny: How will global regulators monitor compliance with sanctions and end-use restrictions?
Sustainability: Can Sudan maintain the equipment and infrastructure needed for effective long-term operations?

Sudan’s US$230 million military deal with Pakistan, signed on 13 October 2025, strengthens its armed forces but carries significant operational, humanitarian, and geopolitical risks. While the hardware enhances combat capabilities, the success of the deal depends on training, maintenance, and strategic use. The agreement highlights Sudan’s reliance on alternative suppliers and Pakistan’s growing role as a defence exporter in conflict zones. Ultimately, the deal may shift the battlefield balance but does not guarantee stability or peace, leaving Sudan’s civil war and regional dynamics highly volatile.

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