Sudan Resumes Talks on Buying Fighter Jets from Russia

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have renewed their efforts to acquire modern Russian fighter jets in an attempt to stop the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from advancing in the ongoing civil war.

After a series of battlefield losses – including the fall of El-Fasher – the army is seeking long-range strike capabilities, something it currently lacks, according to Military Africa.

However, Sudan’s economy is in ruins and its defense budget is limited, making the purchase of fighter jets unlikely without special terms. Any agreement would almost certainly involve a geopolitical trade-off, particularly Russia’s interest in securing a naval base on the Red Sea.

The Sudanese Air Force is currently using MiG-29 fighter jets to support army operations against the RSF in various regions of the country.

The SAF lost a significant portion of its aircraft at the start of the war in April 2023, when RSF special units carried out surprise attacks on key air bases, including Meroe. Several MiG-29 fighters were destroyed or captured during those attacks.

According to available data, the United Arab Emirates facilitated the delivery of Chinese FK-2000 short-range air defense systems and FB-10A missiles to the RSF. The weapons were transported through Chad. These shipments were documented in open sources in August 2025.

The Sudanese Air Force also operates older Soviet-era Su-25 and Su-24M aircraft, as well as several Chinese-made planes. Their technical condition is questionable, and their vulnerability is increasing due to the RSF’s extensive use of man-portable air-defense systems and more advanced mobile air-defense platforms.