Pakistan deploys jet squadron and thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia during Iran war

Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets and an air defense system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defense pact, ramping up military cooperation with Riyadh even as Islamabad serves as the main mediator in the Iran war, according to Reuters.

What has Pakistan deployed to Saudi Arabia during the Iran war?

Pakistan has sent around 16 aircraft, mostly JF-17 fighters built jointly with China, along with two drone squadrons, 8,000 troops and a Chinese HQ-9 air defense system to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is financing the deployment, while Pakistani personnel operate all equipment. Sources say Islamabad has pledged to send more forces if needed.

How was the Pakistan-Saudi deployment confirmed?

The full scale of the deployment is reported for the first time by Reuters, confirmed by three security officials and two government sources.

All five described it as a substantial, combat-capable force intended to support Saudi Arabia if the kingdom comes under further attack.

Pakistan's military, its foreign office and Saudi Arabia's government media office did not respond to requests for comment.

The fighter jets were sent to Saudi Arabia in early April, according to two of the security officials, who said they had reviewed exchanges between the two countries and documents on the military assets' deployment.

The personnel deployed during the Iran conflict will primarily serve in an advisory and training role. They add to thousands of Pakistani troops already stationed in the kingdom under previous agreements, with a combat role.

What does the Pakistan-Saudi mutual defense pact cover?

The full terms of the defense agreement, signed last year, are confidential, but both governments have said it requires each country to come to the other's defense in the event of an attack.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has previously implied it places Saudi Arabia under Pakistan's nuclear umbrella.

One government source who has seen the pact's text said it provides for up to 80,000 Pakistani troops being deployed to help secure Saudi Arabia's borders.

Two of the security officials said the agreement also involves the deployment of Pakistani warships, though Reuters could not confirm whether any had reached Saudi Arabia.

The scale and composition of the deployment, covering combat aircraft, air defenses and thousands of troops, indicate Pakistan has sent far more than a symbolic or advisory mission, the sources said.

What is Pakistan's role in the broader Iran war?

The deployment predates Islamabad's emergence as the conflict's principal mediator. Pakistan helped broker a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran that has held for the past six weeks, and hosted the only round of U.S.-Iranian peace talks so far.

Further rounds had been planned but were subsequently called off by both sides.

Reuters had previously reported that Pakistan sent jets to Saudi Arabia after Iranian strikes hit key energy infrastructure and killed a Saudi national, raising concerns that Riyadh might retaliate and widen the conflict.

Reuters has since reported that Saudi Arabia launched numerous unpublicized strikes on Iran in response.

Pakistan has long provided military support to Saudi Arabia, including training and advisory deployments, while Riyadh has repeatedly stepped in to support Islamabad financially during periods of economic stress.