NEW DELHI — A Pakistani military contingent of about 13,000 troops and 10 to 18 jets has reached Saudi Arabia under a joint strategic defence pact signed last year, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday.
According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence, the deployment to King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Province includes Pakistan Air Force fighter jets as well as support aircraft.
The deployment aimed to enhance joint military coordination, improve operational readiness between the armed forces of the two countries, and support security and stability at regional and international levels, it added, PTI reported.
According to the report, a Pakistan government official also confirmed sending troops and jets to Saudi Arabia as part of the two countries’ strategic defence agreement, under which any attack on one country would be considered an attack on the other.
Expert on international affairs Mohammad Mehdi told PTI that Pakistan had sent aircraft and troops to Saudi Arabia last month, but the news has been broken only now by the Saudi authorities.
“At least 13,000 Pakistani soldiers and 10 to 18 fighter jets landed in Saudi Arabia. As many as 10,000 soldiers are already present in Saudi Arabia. And this arrangement has been made under the defence pact between the countries,” Mr. Mehdi said.
He said Pakistani soldiers and fighter jets are there only for the defence of Saudi Arabia.
Another official who spoke with PTI said that Pakistan had also sent missile interceptors to Saudi Arabia last month amid Iran’s attack on American bases in the Gulf. — With inputs from PTI
