Retired General Doubts PAF's Ability to Support Saudi Defense Pact
Retired Pakistani General Tariq Khan has expressed concerns regarding the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) ability to fulfill its commitments under a defense pact with Saudi Arabia amid rising regional tensions. He noted that the PAF lacks sufficient fighter jet squadrons to deploy in the event of a conflict, highlighting the strain on Pakistan’s military resources, which are already stretched due to domestic security needs and economic constraints. With only 20-22 combat squadrons primarily focused on national defense, Khan’s remarks underscore a significant gap between Pakistan’s defense commitments to Saudi Arabia and its operational capabilities. This situation could complicate the longstanding strategic partnership between the nations should Saudi Arabia face a major conflict, prompting Islamabad to reconsider its military support role.
