Hafizzz
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Aslats launch shows enduring strategic importance of Pakistan to China
Aslatâs launch shows enduring strategic importance of Pakistan to China - Asian Review - Globaltimes.cn
The induction of the PNS Aslat, the fourth Chinese Jiangwei class F-22P frigate into the Pakistan Navy, the first constructed in Pakistan by the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works with the cooperation of the China Shipbuilding Trading Company, is a proud moment for the Pakistan Navy and Sino-Pak cooperation.
What is the significance of this development in the historical and current contexts?
Muslim civilizations have a long tradition of seafaring. However, when they neglected their naval heritage it led to their subjugation by the European powers.
Pakistan faces formidable challenges to maintain its defense and security including sea routes that carry 90 percent of its trade.
This has to be done in the face of India, an ambitious neighbor with a well equipped navy that has long given the Indian Ocean the strategic importance that it deserves.
There are a number of overarching challenges in the defense field. The primary one is to raise adequate resources, which requires a growing economy. This is all the more important as the gearing differential in South Asia, in terms of defense expenditure, arms imports, access to technology and indigenous production, is constantly increasing in the conventional field.
This comes at Pakistan's cost even though it is keeping pace with a credible nuclear deterrence in the strategic dimension.
The strategic partnership between the US and India is unfolding also at the tactical level as part of the strategic pivot to contain China, with military exports, defense technologies and dual use nuclear technology flowing into India from the US, other Western countries and Russia.
The new Pakistan government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is sincerely trying to improve relations with India and one hopes that India will respond. However recent unprovoked Indian military actions along the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir remind that Pakistan has to remain on guard.
For Pakistan expanding its defense production so as not to be dependent on suppliers who have let it down in the past is vital.
China has over the years assisted in building up Pakistan's industrial and conventional defense capacity including joint ventures to produce the Pakistan Army's main battle tank, the Al-Khalid, and the JF-17 Thunder, a versatile multi-role combat aircraft.
Now with Chinese technical cooperation, the revitalized Karachi Shipyard has constructed the Aslat, a major achievement building on previous construction for the navy of missile crafts, gunboats, patrol boats, submarine hulls and other craft.
Given the predominance of threat from Pakistan's two land borders with India and Afghanistan, understandably defense priority and resources have been allocated in that direction.
This is reflected in the defense budget, which allocates some 48 percent of resources to the army, 21 percent to the air force and around 10 percent to the navy. Growing the economy for socioeconomic progress and to meet defense needs is crucial.
The goal of enhancing capability and accessing technology needs to be pursued across the board. Wherever possible this has to be undertaken in a way that means the capacity developed is used also for Pakistan's industrial development.
Therein lies the importance of the induction of the latest frigate. It represents the latest achievement of inducting external technology, production processes and skills that will contribute to Pakistan's overall defense capability, which in turn is essential for maintaining peace and security in South Asia.
It must lead to the Karachi Shipyard playing its part in a nuclear submarine program that is vital for Pakistan's future nuclear deterrence. This enhanced capability should be utilized and expanded to build ships and ship structures including drilling rigs for growing commercial requirements.
It is a continuing sign of Pakistan's strategic alliance with China, which has consistently sought to build up Pakistan's industrial base, not just for defense but for a strong economy which is essential for its people's prosperity and security.
And it demonstrates that despite efforts to technologically isolate Pakistan to limit both its defense potential and its energy security, this will not happen thanks to its links with China, for which a strong and stable Pakistan is important factor for regional stability and security.
=======================================================================
Pakistani Chini Bhai Bhai !!!
Aslatâs launch shows enduring strategic importance of Pakistan to China - Asian Review - Globaltimes.cn
The induction of the PNS Aslat, the fourth Chinese Jiangwei class F-22P frigate into the Pakistan Navy, the first constructed in Pakistan by the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works with the cooperation of the China Shipbuilding Trading Company, is a proud moment for the Pakistan Navy and Sino-Pak cooperation.
What is the significance of this development in the historical and current contexts?
Muslim civilizations have a long tradition of seafaring. However, when they neglected their naval heritage it led to their subjugation by the European powers.
Pakistan faces formidable challenges to maintain its defense and security including sea routes that carry 90 percent of its trade.
This has to be done in the face of India, an ambitious neighbor with a well equipped navy that has long given the Indian Ocean the strategic importance that it deserves.
There are a number of overarching challenges in the defense field. The primary one is to raise adequate resources, which requires a growing economy. This is all the more important as the gearing differential in South Asia, in terms of defense expenditure, arms imports, access to technology and indigenous production, is constantly increasing in the conventional field.
This comes at Pakistan's cost even though it is keeping pace with a credible nuclear deterrence in the strategic dimension.
The strategic partnership between the US and India is unfolding also at the tactical level as part of the strategic pivot to contain China, with military exports, defense technologies and dual use nuclear technology flowing into India from the US, other Western countries and Russia.
The new Pakistan government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is sincerely trying to improve relations with India and one hopes that India will respond. However recent unprovoked Indian military actions along the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir remind that Pakistan has to remain on guard.
For Pakistan expanding its defense production so as not to be dependent on suppliers who have let it down in the past is vital.
China has over the years assisted in building up Pakistan's industrial and conventional defense capacity including joint ventures to produce the Pakistan Army's main battle tank, the Al-Khalid, and the JF-17 Thunder, a versatile multi-role combat aircraft.
Now with Chinese technical cooperation, the revitalized Karachi Shipyard has constructed the Aslat, a major achievement building on previous construction for the navy of missile crafts, gunboats, patrol boats, submarine hulls and other craft.
Given the predominance of threat from Pakistan's two land borders with India and Afghanistan, understandably defense priority and resources have been allocated in that direction.
This is reflected in the defense budget, which allocates some 48 percent of resources to the army, 21 percent to the air force and around 10 percent to the navy. Growing the economy for socioeconomic progress and to meet defense needs is crucial.
The goal of enhancing capability and accessing technology needs to be pursued across the board. Wherever possible this has to be undertaken in a way that means the capacity developed is used also for Pakistan's industrial development.
Therein lies the importance of the induction of the latest frigate. It represents the latest achievement of inducting external technology, production processes and skills that will contribute to Pakistan's overall defense capability, which in turn is essential for maintaining peace and security in South Asia.
It must lead to the Karachi Shipyard playing its part in a nuclear submarine program that is vital for Pakistan's future nuclear deterrence. This enhanced capability should be utilized and expanded to build ships and ship structures including drilling rigs for growing commercial requirements.
It is a continuing sign of Pakistan's strategic alliance with China, which has consistently sought to build up Pakistan's industrial base, not just for defense but for a strong economy which is essential for its people's prosperity and security.
And it demonstrates that despite efforts to technologically isolate Pakistan to limit both its defense potential and its energy security, this will not happen thanks to its links with China, for which a strong and stable Pakistan is important factor for regional stability and security.
=======================================================================
Pakistani Chini Bhai Bhai !!!
