Pakistan Expands Saudi Deployment With 8,000 Troops and Jets

Pakistan has deployed about 8,000 troops, a squadron of around 16 JF-17 fighter jets, two drone squadrons, and a Chinese HQ-9 air-defence system to Saudi Arabia under a confidential mutual defence pact. The force, funded by Riyadh and operated by Pakistani personnel, is described as combat-capable but mainly advisory/training in role, with a potential to scale up to 80,000 troops under the pact as tensions with Iran persist; Islamabad has long provided military support to Saudi Arabia and has helped broker talks between Washington and Tehran.