전투기 사우디아라비아, 수단 지원용 JF-17 구매?

[위종민]

사우디아라비아가 파키스탄에 지원한 20억달러 규모의 대출을 40억달러 규모의 JF-17 구매 사업으로 전환해 JF-17을 산다는 얘기가 있었는데, 이 기사에선 자국용이 아니라 수단 정부군 지원용으로 추측하네요. 수단 정부군에 대항하는 RSF는 UAE가 지원하고 있구요. 

사우디아라비아, 수단을 위해 JF-17 전투기 구매에 나서다
뉴스·항공
다이스케 사토
2026년 1월 10일
수정일: 2026년 1월 10일

파키스탄 공군 JF-17 썬더. (사진: 피터 레프트)

핵심 요점
로이터에 따르면 파키스탄과 사우디아라비아는 20억 달러 규모의 사우디 대출을 40억 달러 가치의 JF-17 전투기 패키지로 전환하는 방안을 논의 중이다.
이 전투기들은 진행 중인 분쟁 속에서 하르툼을 폭넓게 지원하려는 리야드의 일환으로 수단군을 위한 것일 수 있다.
로이터는 파키스탄과 사우디아라비아가 20억 달러 규모의 사우디 대출을 JF-17 전투기 거래로 전환하는 방안에 대해 공식 논의를 시작했다고 보도했다.

논의는 관련 장비에 추가로 20억 달러가 배정된, 총 40억 달러 규모의 광범위한 패키지를 중심으로 진행되고 있다.

로이터는 협상에 정통한 소식통을 인용해 “총 가치는 40억 달러이며, 추가 장비를 위한 20억 달러가 포함된다”고 전했다.

JF-17 항공기는 사우디 왕립 공군에는 필요하지 않은 것으로 보이지만, 수단 공군을 위한 것일 수 있다.

이 자금 전환은 국가 차원의 합의의 일환으로 양국 정부 간에 논의되고 있다. 이러한 논의는 파키스탄의 국제수지에 대한 반복적인 지원을 포함해 리야드와 이슬라마바드 간의 오랜 재정 협력에 뒤따라 이루어지고 있다.

파키스탄과 중국이 공동 개발한 JF-17은 경량 다목적 전투기로, 이미 파키스탄, 미얀마, 나이지리아가 운용하고 있다. 이 항공기는 파키스탄 항공기 제작단지에서 생산되며, 중국이 항공전자 장비와 엔진을 공급한다. 서방 전투기 플랫폼에 비해 도입 및 유지 비용이 낮아 정부 간 거래에서 자주 활용된다.

수단과 사우디아라비아는 깊은 역사적·종교적 유대를 갖고 있으며, 최근 몇 년간 수단 내전이라는 배경 속에서 양국 관계는 지역 사안을 공동으로 추진하는 단계에서 사우디아라비아가 수단군을 명시적으로 지원하고 수단 평화 과정을 적극적으로 진전시키는 방향으로 발전해 왔다.

2023년 4월 내전 발발 이후, 아랍에미리트의 지원을 받은 신속지원군(RSF)이 영토를 확장한 반면, 사우디아라비아는 수단군을 공개적으로 지지했다. 기사에 따르면 RSF가 2025년 2월 병행 정부 수립을 발표했을 때 “사우디아라비아는 공개적으로 반대 의사를 표명했으며”, 이후 수단군 지도자인 압델 파타 알부르한 장군은 사우디아라비아를 방문해 “사우디 왕세자와 함께 기도했다.”

수단군에 대한 사우디의 지원과 JF-17 항공기 이전을 촉진할 수 있는 잠재적 역할은 수단을 안정화하려는 사우디의 전략적 목표와 부합한다.

대출을 전투기 패키지로 전환하는 방안이 계약 단계로 진전될지는 아직 공식적으로 확인되지 않았다. 로이터는 해당 합의의 구조가 여전히 협상 중이라고 전했다.

Saudi Arabia moves to buy JF-17 fighters for Sudan

Saudi Arabia moves to buy JF-17 fighters for Sudan

NewsAviation

ByDaisuke Sato

Jan 10, 2026

Modified date: Jan 10, 2026

Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder. (Photo by Peter Reft)

Key Points

• Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert a $2 billion Saudi loan into a JF-17 fighter jet package valued at $4 billion, Reuters reported.
• The jets may be intended for Sudan’s armed forces as part of Riyadh’s broader support for Khartoum during the ongoing conflict.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have begun formal discussions to convert a $2 billion Saudi loan into a transaction for JF-17 fighter jets, Reuters reported.

The talks center on a broader package valued at $4 billion, including an additional $2 billion allocated for related equipment.

Reuters, citing sources familiar with the negotiations, reported that “the total value is 4 billion dollars, with another 2 billion dollars for additional equipment.”

The JF-17 aircraft are apparently not needed by the Royal Saudi Air Force, but could be intended for the Sudanese Air Force.

The financing conversion is being discussed between the two governments as part of a state-level arrangement. The discussions follow long-standing financial cooperation between Riyadh and Islamabad, including recurring support for Pakistan’s balance of payments.

The JF-17, co-developed by Pakistan and China, is a lightweight multirole fighter already fielded by Pakistan, Myanmar, and Nigeria. The aircraft is produced by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, with China supplying avionics and engines. It is often used in government-to-government sales because of lower procurement and sustainment costs compared to Western fighter platforms.

Sudan and Saudi Arabia have deep historical and religious ties, and in recent years, against the backdrop of Sudan’s civil war, relations have evolved from jointly promoting regional affairs to Saudi Arabia explicitly supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces and actively advancing the Sudan peace process.

After the outbreak of civil war in April 2023, the Rapid Support Forces gained territory with support from the United Arab Emirates, while Saudi Arabia openly backed the Sudanese Armed Forces. The text notes that when the RSF announced the formation of a parallel government in February 2025, “Saudi Arabia publicly expressed opposition,” and Sudanese Armed Forces leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan later visited the kingdom, where “he prayed alongside the Saudi Crown Prince.”

Saudi support for the Sudanese Armed Forces—and its potential role in facilitating the transfer of JF-17 aircraft—aligns with its strategic aim to stabilize Sudan.

No official statements have yet confirmed whether the conversion of the loan into a fighter jet package will advance to the contract stage. Reuters reported that the structure of the arrangement remains under negotiation.

[백선호]

사우디 아라비아는 이집트가 쓸 Mirage 5SDE를 사들인 바 있습니다. 사우디 공군 마크를 달고 나왔는데 결국은 이집트 공군 마크로 바뀌었죠.

[위종민]

동맹국에 F-5 싸게 팔았던 미국 역할을 사우디도 흉내냈었네요 ㄷㄷ

[백선호]

리비아도 터키가 쓸 이탈리아제 F-104S를 사줬다네요.

http://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/5q4/276