Pakistan defence ties go beyond Saudi Arabia

Pakistan's defence net goes beyond Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s defence footprint is expanding well beyond Saudi Arabia, where it recently signed a pact pledging mutual assistance in case of war. Over the past decade, Islamabad has expanded its export presence in Africa and the Gulf region, selling arms to Nigeria, Qatar and Bahrain, while relying almost entirely on China for its own needs.

A Moneycontrol analysis of arms trade data from SIPRI shows Nigerian imports from Pakistan now account for nearly 9 percent of the African nation’s total. Qatar and Bahrain, too, have begun sourcing small but growing volumes of Pakistani equipment. These developments mark a striking contrast to 2007–2012, when Sri Lanka was Pakistan’s sole buyer. By 2013–2018, Azerbaijan, Nigeria and Qatar joined the list; since 2019, Turkey and Iraq have also featured.

Imports tell an even sharper story. China supplied 42 percent of Pakistan’s defence needs in 2007–2012; that share surged to 81% by 2019–2024, consolidating Beijing’s dominance. The US, once a major partner, faded to irrelevance, accounting for just 0.3 percent in the latest cycle and slipping out of Pakistan’s top 10 suppliers. Turkey gained prominence, accounting for 3.4 percent of Pakistan’s defence imports compared with 1.5 percent between 2007-12.

The composition of imports has shifted as well. Aircraft remain the single-largest category, but their share has slipped from 45 percent in 2007–2012 to 39 percent in 2019–2024. Naval equipment, by contrast, has gained ground, with ships climbing from 11 percent to 29 percent of the total. Armoured vehicles have also expanded their share to 16 percent, while missiles and air-defence systems have declined.

Globally, Pakistan remains among the top importers, ranking fifth between 2019 and 2024 with a 4.2 percent share of world arms purchases, up from ninth in the prior period.

The evolving mix points to a strategic pivot: more naval projection, deeper integration with China, and an export push into Africa and the Gulf. While Saudi Arabia remains the anchor, Pakistan is steadily broadening both its defence markets and its military partnerships.