CAIRO — The autonomous government of southern Sudan has been preparing to receive its first military aircraft.

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The center, operated by the Khartoum regime of President Omar Bashir, said southern Sudanese pilots have undergone training in Uganda and the United States. In a statement on Aug. 22, the center said the aircraft would begin military operations by 2011.

Officials said southern Sudan has been preparing for the prospect of renewed war with Khartoum over the next few months. They said the autonomous government has ordered a range of combat platforms, including T-72 main battle tanks from Ukraine, ahead of a referendum in January 2011.

The Khartoum regime has also increased military spending, officials said. They said Sudan, designated by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist sponsor, has been negotiating with such countries as China and Russia.

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