Pakistan and Somalia Deepen Defence Cooperation in Islamabad Talks

Somalia’s defence minister held separate meetings with Pakistan’s naval and air chiefs following the signing of a new defence cooperation memorandum in Islamabad.

By INPK News Desk

Published: August 6, 2026
Last Updated: August 6, 2026, 2:12 AM PKT
Status: Developing Story

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Somalia have agreed to deepen bilateral defence cooperation following high-level meetings focused on maritime security, military training, professional exchanges and the development of Somalia’s defence capabilities.

A senior Somali defence delegation led by Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi held separate meetings with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The meetings followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the defence ministries of Pakistan and Somalia on August 4, 2026.

Maritime Security Discussed at Naval Headquarters

During the meeting at Naval Headquarters, the two sides discussed regional maritime security, matters of mutual professional interest and opportunities for expanding cooperation between the Pakistan Navy and Somali maritime forces.

Admiral Naveed Ashraf reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defence relations with Somalia and supporting closer institutional engagement between the armed forces of the two countries.

Fiqi praised the Pakistan Navy’s contribution to regional maritime security, according to the statement issued after the meeting.

Maritime cooperation is particularly important for Somalia because the country has an extensive coastline along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Somali authorities continue to face challenges involving piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking and the protection of territorial waters.

However, no specific naval deployment, vessel transfer, basing arrangement or operational mission was announced during the meeting.

Air-Force Capacity Building and Training

At Air Headquarters, discussions centred on bilateral air-force cooperation, professional collaboration, institutional capacity building and training opportunities.

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu briefed the Somali delegation on the Pakistan Air Force’s indigenous capability-development programmes, training infrastructure and professional exchange arrangements.

The air chief expressed Pakistan’s willingness to support institutional cooperation with the Somali Air Force through training and professional exchanges.

The Somali defence minister appreciated the professionalism and operational capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force.

The official statement did not disclose the number of Somali officers or pilots who may receive training, the duration of any proposed courses or whether a formal training schedule has been finalised.

New Pakistan-Somalia Defence Memorandum

The latest meetings came one day after Fiqi and Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif signed a memorandum of understanding in Islamabad.

According to statements concerning the agreement, the memorandum covers cooperation in counterterrorism, military training, defence capacity building and the exchange of military knowledge and expertise.

Somalia’s Ministry of Defence described the agreement as part of efforts to strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries and establish closer cooperation between their armed forces.

No financial value, implementation timetable, training quota or detailed list of projects was made public with the announcement.

The memorandum therefore establishes a formal framework for future cooperation, while the practical scale of the partnership will depend on the programmes and implementation arrangements agreed by both governments.

Cooperation Builds on Earlier Security Engagement

Pakistan and Somalia have expanded their security engagement over recent years through military contacts, training discussions and cooperation against terrorism.

In January 2026, the two countries also discussed collaboration in counterterrorism, border management, training and disaster management during a visit by a Somali delegation to Pakistan.

Separate accounts have referred to a broader defence framework considered by Somalia in 2025, including military education, maritime assistance and counterterrorism training. However, the complete text and detailed obligations under that earlier framework have not been made publicly available.

The latest memorandum appears to provide a more formal institutional channel through which the two defence ministries can develop training, technical assistance and military exchange programmes.

JF-17 Fighter Jet Reports Remain Unconfirmed

The visit has renewed public and media interest in reports that Somalia may be considering the acquisition of JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft from Pakistan.

Some defence publications have claimed that discussions could involve as many as 24 JF-17 Block III aircraft, along with pilot training, technical support and maintenance arrangements.

Neither Pakistan nor Somalia confirmed a JF-17 purchase, aircraft contract, delivery schedule or financial agreement in their official statements on the memorandum or the August 5 meetings.

The aircraft reports should therefore be treated as unconfirmed unless a contract or procurement decision is formally announced by the governments or authorised defence institutions of the two countries.

The official information released so far confirms cooperation in training, capacity building, professional exchanges, counterterrorism and maritime security—not a completed fighter-aircraft transaction.

Why the Defence Partnership Matters

Somalia is working to rebuild its military institutions while continuing operations against Al-Shabaab and gradually assuming greater responsibility for national security.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has been expanding defence diplomacy through military training, professional education, technical cooperation and the promotion of domestically produced defence equipment.

For Somalia, cooperation with Pakistan could provide access to military education, technical knowledge and institutional support. For Pakistan, the partnership could strengthen its defence relations in the Horn of Africa and support wider maritime-security engagement near important Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden shipping routes.

The immediate outcome of the visit is expected to be increased professional exchanges and further planning between the two countries’ defence institutions. Any major weapons procurement, permanent military presence or operational deployment would require separate confirmation.

Developing Story: This report will be updated if Pakistan’s defence institutions or the Federal Government of Somalia release additional information about training programmes, defence-industry cooperation, delegation visits or possible equipment agreements.

Source Transparency Note: This report is based on official statements attributed to the Inter-Services Public Relations, Somalia’s Ministry of Defence and publicly available reporting. Unconfirmed procurement claims have been clearly identified and separated from officially announced cooperation.