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News & Current Events Apr 11, 2026 at 12:56 PM

Pakistan sends fighter jets to Saudi Arabia as part of defence agreement

Posted by callsonreddit

Pakistan sends fighter jets to Saudi Arabia as part of defence agreement | The National
The National
Pakistan sends fighter jets to Saudi Arabia as part of defence agreement | The National
The move comes amid risk of renewed Iranian drone and missile attacks
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Ultra_Metal Apr 11, 2026 +984
I wonder why Saudi Arabia keeps arming itself to the teeth but never uses those weapons even when they're under attack.
984
Vijigishu Apr 11, 2026 +837
Skill issue
837
Ultra_Metal Apr 11, 2026 +159
If they know they can't wield those weapons, then why pay so much money for them?
159
Jemsy1 Apr 11, 2026 +265
Borderline useless military, kept intentionally weak to prevent a coup. Might as well buy all the cool toys if you have the money. Can act as a deterrent if your neighbor has a bunch of high tech shit.
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milo_peng Apr 11, 2026 +151
To ensure the countries that they bought those weapons from stay vested in Saudi defense/geopolitics. (E.g Americans, Europeans). Effectively, weapon purchases are just influence operations for the Saudis or outright bribes (the infamous Al Yamamah deals with the UK)
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Enough-Ocelot-1887 Apr 11, 2026 +40
Them Saudis sure like their toys. The more expensive the happier they are.
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BitterConstruction98 Apr 11, 2026 +44
They want Iran to think they can
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Overtwoandahalf Apr 11, 2026 +11
Money is no issue to these guys
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Money-Ad-545 Apr 11, 2026 +5
Money is the issue, why should they fight for themselves? Just use monies and pay the poors to do it. Aren’t expecting a rich person to learn how to fly a fighter jet or learn to fight are you? That requires effort.
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OnceIWasKovic Apr 11, 2026 +28
>money Alliances. Get the latest and greatest Western tech and they'll defend your country
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grumpy_autist Apr 11, 2026 +2
Well, did they?
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_HIST Apr 12, 2026 +1
Yeah? Were they invaded? No. Were 99% of shit shot down? Yes.
1
PugilisticCat Apr 11, 2026 +7
Making friends in high places.
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belketeal Apr 11, 2026 +4
It makes them seem modern and advanced which is good for PR and gives citizens a sense of superiority and security. It also is a way to buy American protection by purchasing American weapons.
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Tango_D Apr 12, 2026 +2
To keep the Saud family in power by acting as a deterrent against any potential uprising
2
Temporary_Stick_6664 Apr 11, 2026 +9
Quite literally 🤣
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Shafter111 Apr 12, 2026 +1
Its a feature; not a bug
1
lombardi-bug Apr 11, 2026 +78
I’ve heard the Saudi Air Force is more like a flying club for the royal family and their friends. Some countries even refuse to train with them because the Saudi pilots are so poorly trained.
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brainy_bearded_brown Apr 11, 2026 +40
Saudi pilots in fact had the highest rate of pilot error in the world on the F-15s
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gametime9936 Apr 12, 2026 +7
When they are trained they end up either never flying again or dying because of a dumbass who fucks up during maintenance. I dont know about the legitimacy of this story but a friend of a friend of mine, he had a great track record and was trained in the UK. He complained multiple times that the information systems he had were wrong or inaccurate and it was put off or ignored up until he did a night drill and crashed straight into the ground.
7
copilot_husky Apr 11, 2026 +128
Trust issue. Saudi unlike modern forces do not empower soldiers l, officers or generals. They literally have Pakistani generals as head and council to MBS. All monarchies and dictators are more afraid of there people and army then outside invaders.
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TungstenEnthusiast Apr 11, 2026 +17
well makes sense for them, pakistan empowered generals and they took over the country
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Alib668 Apr 11, 2026 +13
The deal in Saudi is America takes the losses so your citizens don’t have to, in response you sell oil in dollars.
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BoppityBop2 Apr 11, 2026 +11
One thing you have to understand is the Saudi don't have a military they have a glorified police forces whose main goal is to put down local unrest. If you though Iraq or Syria army is bad, wait till you learn about the Gulf States. If their armies left the country to fight a war, the country would literally be ripe for somerl rebellion. 
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BigDickSeaLion Apr 11, 2026 +37
they spent years bombing the shit out of yemen
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Cippledtimmy Apr 11, 2026 +15
Which went terribly
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gametime9936 Apr 12, 2026 +4
That wedding in yemen was a real threat tho you can’t blame them. F****** young people living happily ever after. F*** that.
4
Thuradzon Apr 12, 2026 +5
Doesn't matter how much money you have. Arab armies aren't great in warfare. They're good at keeping the population from revolting and overthrowing the dictatorships though. Saudi Arabia has a TON of weapons from all the major powers and weapons suppliers.
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williamgman Apr 11, 2026 +3
Because they know someone else always will.
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ExtraCan Apr 11, 2026 +1
Of all the Muslim denominations out there, Saudi Arabia is the weakest militarily and most likely to lose a Jihad.
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Nasli-Faqeer Apr 11, 2026 -6
They would've if it wasn't iran . MBS has recently been trying to soften Iranian and Saudi ties especially after the Qatar attacks by Israel.
-6
East-Ad-7665 Apr 11, 2026 +32
What? There were a bunch of reports coming out that MBS was one of the people pushing Trump hard to continue the war with Iran
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Nasli-Faqeer Apr 11, 2026 -3
https://www.ft.com/content/2721947c-613c-4496-8900-e9c87ae9f64f?syn-25a6b1a6=1 He bet hard on Iran before the war , they had some of the highest level dialougue in decades and even a couple days ago the Saudi FM and Iranian FM talked. The only reason MBS might have asked trump to ramp up attacks is because Iran began to target oil infrastructure in Saudi leaving him with no choice. Which I think in of itself is a bridge Iran will regret burning later on.
-3
mhornberger Apr 11, 2026 +2
Saudi Arabia was also working to normalize relations with Israel, which is why Iran helped fund and plan the 7 October attack to destabilize the situation and sideline the Abraham Accords. I don't think they're pro-Iran, rather they just want to reduce tensions in the region. Whereas Iran is still dedicated to the destruction of Israel, and wanting to be the hegemon of the region.
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rayEW Apr 11, 2026 -13
Are you all stupid? Saudi has a thriving population with lots of business and a new open mentality for it, MBS regardless of Listnook opinion, is trying to create a developed country, bringing investment outside of oil. Saudi starts retaliating at Iran and Iran achieves a major goal, which is to destroy the idea of a GCC paradise, they will bomb the shit of Riyadh and Aramco, end any interest in foreign investment in Saudi and setback MBS and his plans on 30+ years. The war of Shia vs Sunni is Iran's objective of religious dominance, making the GCC block a global economic superpower is the Saudi's objective.
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scfade Apr 11, 2026 +7
> MBS regardless of Listnook opinion You know full f****** well what he did, it's not "Listnookor opinions."
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rayEW Apr 11, 2026 +3
Iranian regime got less than 0.001% of the hate from killing 40k protesters than MBS got from killing one reporter. Yeah I know he ain't the nicest guy in the park, but compared to all leaders in the region, he is one of the most reasonable and progressive. You guys can downvote all you want, but the non basement dwellers who travel, work around the world, have been to the middle east, know there's a chasm between your opinion and reality. I'm a westerner catholic living for over 8 years in the GCC in different countries. I would never even step a foot in Iran, even years before the war.
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tobiascuypers Apr 11, 2026 +5
This does nothing for answering the question about why Saudi doesn’t use their military in any meaningful way, even for defensive purposes it seems. In capable of protecting their own assets already, no wonder they don’t want to risk further provocation. Iran is the bully that they can’t stand up to so they hide behind daddy yankee
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rayEW Apr 11, 2026 -1
What do you mean doesn't use for defensive purposes. Iran tried to encircle Saudi with proxies from underneath (Houthis) and from the north (Iraq Hezbollah) and Syria. They fought those proxy wars for years in conflicts of interest. Iran attacked Saudi in a limited way for several reasons, they got 5% of what UAE got, that's deterrance. They are on the way to get F35s btw...
-1
SkinnyInABeanie Apr 11, 2026 -3
Most countries are (hopefully)never going to use their nuclear weaponary but it's good to have. Just in case.
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Hm46290 Apr 11, 2026 +4
Saudi does not have nuclear weapons.
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AdSufficient5229 Apr 11, 2026 -1
Let me introduce you to Yemen and Sudan
-1
d1andonly Apr 11, 2026 +147
Perfect timing! After the dust has settled.
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Money-Can-163 Apr 11, 2026 +15
Sand in v***** problem carry two meanings there
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rugbyspank Apr 11, 2026 -16
Ew sexism
-16
mcmonky Apr 11, 2026
Funded by the US.
0
callsonreddit Apr 11, 2026 +69
>A Pakistani military contingent has arrived in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province under a joint defence agreement and at a time of risk of renewed Iranian drone and missile strikes. >Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence said on Saturday that the deployment to King Abdulaziz Air Base includes fighter jets and support aircraft from the Pakistan Air Force. >The two countries signed a strategic defence agreement last year, with the aim of strengthening military co-ordination and raising the operational readiness of their armed forces.
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EquivalentOne241 Apr 11, 2026 +80
Why didn't they send it during the 5 weeks of war when the Saudis were getting attacked? What's the point of sending it after the damage has been done and there is a ceasefire?
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rononoadakait Apr 11, 2026 +57
to keep appearances
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theytriedtoeatbushsr Apr 11, 2026 +22
Saudi Arabia never requested them to join. They can't randomly bring air power to a country.
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Groundbreaking_Can_4 Apr 11, 2026 +7
Yeah like a lot of people here seem not to understand that saudi would want the defense pact activated and Pakistan can't just barge in. Like how India didn't suddenly roll up even though they have defense agreement with UAE
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babloochoudhury Apr 11, 2026 +24
India's agreement with the UAE is not a defense pact like Saudi Arabia's and Pakistan's. Any attack on Saudi Arabia is viewed as a simultaneous attack on Pakistan as per their defense pact. Pakistan is in between a rock and a hard place (i.e., Saudi Arabia and Iran) given Iran's attacks on Saudi Arabia. Pakistan shares a 900 km border with Iran and is also beholden to Saudi Arabia by the defense pact. It is for this reason, Pakistan is desperately trying to mediate a ceasefire between the US and Iran.
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Pure-Toxicity Apr 11, 2026 +26
They don't have a defense treaty like the PSMDP they just agreed to "deepen military cooperation" Which could mean anything.
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gymAndmuthi Apr 11, 2026 +14
Indian defence pact is safe removal of Indians, nothing more. While the UAE does good for the Indian economy, India does not see it as a close ally like for example Israel and Russia. We will not interfere militarily in this conflict as it is a dumb AF conflict started by Pedos and religious fanatics. India has better things to do.
14
woolcoat Apr 11, 2026 -1
Because this is about deterrence to try to keep the ceasefire, that’s why you’re hearing about China arming Iran. No one wants for this war to restart so everyone is upping the stakes. Going in after the war started would’ve escalated this into ww3, hence everyone sat on the sidelines.
-1
Mysterious-Ad-9936 Apr 11, 2026 +2
Yeah but then why is UK sending a ton of interceptors to Bahrain?
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BadAzz2200 Apr 11, 2026 -16
What should pakistani military do Against Iran. Haven’t they see which respect Iran is getting from majority of the world . EU is not included, they are bastards .
-16
Vincensius_I Apr 11, 2026 +6
I'm asking myself if you are a American or an Iranian troll
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cyberianscribe Apr 11, 2026 +78
The tendrils of different wars are becoming intertwined.
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InternationalMix1521 Apr 11, 2026 +3
Said appendages seemingly have endless vines on which to prosper.
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RarelyReadReplies Apr 12, 2026 +1
When is it WW3? With all the proxies involved, it kind of feels like we're already there.
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cyberianscribe Apr 12, 2026 +1
Does seem like we heading in that direction.
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nishitd Apr 11, 2026 +63
Probably means the talks are going well and Pakistan knows it won't need to use them
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FrostyPiano4957 Apr 11, 2026 +5
It happened before the talks even started
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Ashryfinancial Apr 11, 2026 +102
Sending help after the war is almost over. Woah!
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Affectionate_Bee6434 Apr 11, 2026 +36
Who knows what will happen after the negotiations. The war is not over yet
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rapzeh Apr 11, 2026 +16
The war is almost over?!
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PraetorGold Apr 11, 2026 +8
The plot thins.
8
SnooRegrets6428 Apr 11, 2026 +18
A deterrent but useless in action
18
woolcoat Apr 11, 2026 +4
Why, they can help shoot down cruise missiles and drones at a minimum, on a defensive basis
4
UrOpinionIsBadBuddy Apr 12, 2026 +1
Fighter jets are useless now? No offence but is Listnook just filled with f****** idiots?
1
Diligent-Let7615 Apr 11, 2026 +6
Could be to guarantee a ceasefire with Iran. This war has taught the gcc countries that the US is not the protector of the gulf and they need to seek outside help to guarantee their own protection. With Pakistani aircraft in Saudi it would deter Iran from attacking Saudi and hold the Iran to its ceasefire agreement.
6
OnceIWasKovic Apr 11, 2026 +15
Saudi's have nearly 400 fighter jets but seems like there's only a handful of good pilots lmao
15
npc_housecat Apr 11, 2026 +2
They might be lacking signalling intelligence / radar to properly track incoming missiles in time
2
CommunicationLife753 Apr 11, 2026 +2
A country which wants its future economy to be based on tourism shouldn't really let itself be part of a "WAR" which isn't started by them
2
OnceIWasKovic Apr 11, 2026 +2
Do you think Pakistani jets ... Are going to strike Iran ... From Saudi bases? They're intended to defend KSA, which appears it can't seem to do by itself given the quality of their military despite having the seventh largest budget in the world. The RSAF is larger than the RAF.
2
turb0_encapsulator Apr 11, 2026 +10
Trump has inadvertently turned Pakistan into a major world power.
10
Mediocre-Till-3924 Apr 11, 2026 +9
And the credit goes to Modi too.
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Gold_Object_2298 Apr 12, 2026 +1
A country that has to beg IMF for funds is no major world power.
1
expat90 Apr 11, 2026 +19
Iran has been shooting missiles and drones for over a month at Saudi. Pakistan and Saudi have a mutual defence agreement. Pakistan has done nothing but issue strongly worded statements. The agreement isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. This is a lame attempt by Pakistan to salvage their reputation. Sending planes more than a month later during a ceasefire is purely performative.
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theytriedtoeatbushsr Apr 11, 2026 +21
They never requested Pakistan to join.
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expat90 Apr 11, 2026 +3
Lol yeah I’m sure Saudi was like we love these missiles hitting our critical infrastructure and killing our citizens please don’t help. This situation is literally why they made the defense agreement. Please peddle your nonsense elsewhere we aren’t all so stupid.
3
theytriedtoeatbushsr Apr 11, 2026 +14
Why didn't Saudi Arabia ask for Pakistani involvement? The pact was most likely targeted at rabid Israel as it came in the aftermath of the attack on Qatar.
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expat90 Apr 11, 2026 +3
Stop trumpeting government propaganda. Think for yourself. Pakistan cannot enter a war with its neighbour while it is at war with another neighbour and while it is going through an economic crisis. That is the reason. The agreement was supposed to be a deterrent. It didn’t work. End of story. Pretending otherwise is just silly
3
theytriedtoeatbushsr Apr 11, 2026 +9
It seems like you are under the impression that I consume Pakistani media. It seems logical that Pakistan won't enter a conflict where they are not called. Imagine sending a navy, armed forces and the Air Force to a country when they never asked for it. Think for yourself.
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expat90 Apr 11, 2026 +5
I think we both said our points so agree to disagree. If it means anything the odds of Saudi Arabia intervening to defend Pakistan is also zero. As Pakistan is/was anyway under attack by the Taliban. Useless defense pacts aside, Pakistan’s mediation efforts are commendable. I hope they succeed.
5
Inevitable_Ad_4985 Apr 12, 2026 +1
Because izreal was exploiting that defense pact 
1
gymAndmuthi Apr 11, 2026
We all have time, the future will reveal the strength and validity of the pact.
0
Dr-Billa Apr 11, 2026 +1
Also, Saudi didn't want to be direct target of Iran by doing that. They were more focused on US. There's no need to get yourself in between.
1
External-Savings1067 Apr 11, 2026 -1
By this logic the KSA should have stepped in during the India and Afghanistan wars
-1
Turbulent_Trifle_386 Apr 11, 2026 +4
Crazy to think that Pakistan is the strongest muslim country out there when it comes to defense
4
Equivalent-Eye-2782 Apr 11, 2026 +14
Now its Turkey 
14
king_of_river Apr 11, 2026 +15
Turkey has a better navy and drones but Pakistan has a superior air force, missile program, larger number of army personnel and their own nuclear weapons. Pakistan has more manpower and a younger population to draw from but Turkey has a much better economy.
15
Equivalent-Eye-2782 Apr 11, 2026 +3
that's not me saying that, global firepower index says this with compiling all the data and numbers
3
Beneficial-Rub-8049 Apr 12, 2026 +1
They literally put Russia above China like what. No trust in that Global firepower thingy.
1
Equivalent-Eye-2782 Apr 12, 2026 +1
Its still better than statements of random people.
1
Turbulent_Trifle_386 Apr 11, 2026 +5
Pak has nukes and Chinese defence equipment , that puts it much ahead of Turkey
5
NateBerukAnjing Apr 12, 2026 +1
turkey is barely muslim
1
Pixi_Dust_408 Apr 11, 2026 +2
Maybe it’s just to be cautious? Pakistan doesn’t want the war to continue, maybe they’re confident that it will de-escalate?
2
mbashs Apr 11, 2026 +3
Pakistan has friendly ties with Iran. Hence the negotiations taking place in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia didn’t want to escalate and conversations had been going on with Pakistan to use diplomacy to counter it. The fighters now coming in means things just got escalated and the war might get worse. Obviously Listnookors in their armchairs who don’t follow regional politics and news know better lol
3
Neither_Economist_16 Apr 11, 2026 +1
What if there is another wave, and all the higher people know about it and just preparing?
1
apex_malik Apr 12, 2026 +1
Careful of the Kuwaiti's, just saying...
1
theguyfromgermany Apr 12, 2026 +1
Money won't buy you soldiers only equipment.
1
Remarkable-Canine Apr 12, 2026 +1
Allegiance ruled by expedience. One needs loan and/or free money to survive, It works for both,
1
Additional_Oil7502 Apr 11, 2026 +1
All the backseat army generals in the comments 🤣🤣
1
tripping_yarns Apr 11, 2026 -10
So, are they there to help defend SA from Iran or to defend against the inevitable attack from Israel?
-10
Pure-Toxicity Apr 11, 2026 +25
It really doesn't make sense for the Israelis to attack Saudi Arabia and make more enemies then it already has.
25
tripping_yarns Apr 11, 2026 -2
I wasn’t really serious. After Lebanon it will probably be Syria anyway.
-2
thr1276 Apr 11, 2026 -3
right now but you never know in 20 years who would be the next existential threat or the next piece of land they need as a buffer
-3
dave_gormen_3 Apr 11, 2026
Maybe it allows them to tell USA to close down the American military bases, wouldnt that be nice? 
0
[deleted] Apr 11, 2026 +2
[removed]
2
FictionFlexer277 Apr 11, 2026 -1
Yeah because USA hasn’t even been able handle f**king Iran’s military.
-1
[deleted] Apr 11, 2026 -8
[deleted]
-8
Pure-Toxicity Apr 11, 2026 +8
And guess who has agreed to help Pakistan economically?? Saudis have more support in Pakistan then the Iranians do.
8
TT_player2 Apr 11, 2026 +4
Saudis will provide the financing. Pakistan provides the manpower and intelligence. Pakistan might even get richer.
4
kr_blue Apr 11, 2026 +2
Pakistan won't be concerned. They are untouchable. It goes both ways. Any country attacking Pakistan is suicide
2
Leviathn_Doom Apr 11, 2026 -7
A defeated force trying to defend someone else. Yeah that'll work!
-7
Electricity4521323 Apr 11, 2026 +2
PL-15
2
Dr-Billa Apr 11, 2026 +4
Bro are you still licking your wounds? Get over it lmao
4
Mean-Calendar-7790 Apr 11, 2026
lol they sent it after a ceasefire looks like theyre trying to appear as "brothers" now that there is no immediate danger
0
IonDaPrizee Apr 11, 2026 -5
Everything about this is absolutely disgusting. If Pakistan is sending fighter jets at the direction of American officials, it won’t be for free.
-5
0neM0reLight Apr 11, 2026 -1
You mean china. China owns them these days.
-1
Lillienpud Apr 11, 2026
Hokay, Pakistani AF over the KSA, UK. RAF over th’ Emirates… hey, South Africa, got any spare fighter jets? Indonesia? Uh… does Algeria have a viable Aair force these days?
0
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