"By the standards of mega arms deals, the $1.5bn deal for Pakistan to reportedly sell jets and weapons to Sudan's military isn't huge. But the deal, which the Reuters news agency reported in early January was close to being finalised, could prove pivotal in the grinding war that has devoured Sudan for nearly three years between the country's armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)."
"Pakistan's military has, over the past few years, sold jets to multiple countries in Asia and Africa, and is in talks with others. But in the Middle East, its military role has traditionally, for the most part, involved training forces of Arab allies. That's now changing, with a spree of deals and negotiations that could turn Pakistan into a key security provider in some cases, and give it the ability to tip the balance in delicate conflicts in other instances."
A $1.5bn deal for Pakistan to sell jets and weapons to Sudan is close to finalisation and could alter dynamics in Sudan's nearly three-year conflict between the armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Tens of thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and RSF troops face accusations of gang rape, including of infants. Pakistan has recently expanded arms sales across Asia and Africa and is negotiating further deals. The country's traditional Middle East role of training Arab forces is shifting toward direct equipment sales, bolstered by a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia. Regional divisions complicate delivery and diplomatic balance among partners.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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