SAF denies receiving new k8 jets from Egypt

KHARTOUM – The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Wednesday dismissed media reports suggesting that it had acquired new K8 fighter jets from neighboring Egypt.

In a statement seen by Sudan Post, the SAF said it has owned squadrons of Chinese-manufactured K8 jets since the early 2000s and had no need to procure additional ones from any other country.

“The Sudanese army owns squadrons of this type of Chinese-manufactured jets since the start of the millennium, two decades before the current conflict, and has received them from the manufacturing country (the People’s Republic of China),” it said.

“These claims are misleading and unverified,” the statement added. “The Sudanese army has no need to turn to any friendly country to get additional jets of this model, which is primarily used for training pilots.”

The K8 jet is a trainer aircraft that can also be used for light combat missions.

Sudan has been in a deadly conflict since April last year, pitting the SAF against its former ally, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While the SAF is commanded by Abdelfattah El-Burhan, the current de facto head of state, the RSF is led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

Egypt is one of Sudan’s neighbors that has been accused of involvement by providing the SAF with logistical needs. In addition, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also been accused of supporting the SAF.

The conflict has displaced millions internally and externally, including to Sudan’s neighbors such as Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea.