"The government has made serious efforts to improve our economy, and we have to be mindful that this progress on the economic front is not retarded. So affordability is always affected," said Gen Tariq. "We have to prioritise."
Army
The Pakistan Army is re-organising after the completion in 2005 of a comprehensive study focused largely on improving efficiency and the 'tooth-to-tail' ratio. Cost-cutting is another factor. This applies to both conventional and sub-conventional threats, the latter covering counter-terrorism operations and low-intensity conflict. Over 50,000 personnel have been trimmed from 550,000 by suspending recruitment and attrition through normal retirement. Existing units are also being brought up to strength, mainly by addressing equipment shortfalls. At the same time, command articulation arrangements are being improved through moves such as the grouping of loose elements.
Two other broad initiatives are also apparent: the creation of new forces to address critical imbalances and selective force modernisation. The creation of new forces is mainly pursued through pruning the authorised strength in various institutions and units; the latter influenced by the introduction of advanced technologies requiring less manpower.
Enhancement of special forces is one consequence.
"We are now at the stage where we will have a total review on the overall structure of the army and for that the studies are in progress," said Gen Tariq.
The army's immediate concern is centred on counter-terrorism operations in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, with over 80,000 troops deployed. General Ehsan Ul Haq, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee, says this has required a meaningful enhancement of capabilities.
"Airborne mobility, aerial surveillance, special forces and communications - these have become far more significant in our development priorities," he explained.
The need to improve tactical mobility led to the induction of 10 additional Kazan/Mil Mi-17 medium transport helicopters and 26 Bell 412EP multirole medium helicopters. These will be supplemented by around 20 refurbished AH-1F Huey Cobra close support/attack helicopters on order from the US for delivery in 18 months. The acquisition of the Mil Mi-35 attack/assault helicopter is under consideration.
"We are also looking very seriously at armed scout helicopters, with options from France and the US under study," noted Gen Ahsan.
In the area of surveillance, the army is looking to indigenously develop UAVs, but has meanwhile acquired from Germany the EMT Luna short-range battlefield reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition UAV. Three or four systems are likely to be obtained: the army's UAV system first.
Night-vision systems and improved weather radar systems are another priority, while communication capabilities have been partly addressed with military radios worth USD78 million, acquired from the US.
Much of this capability has gone to enhance the special forces, which centre on the three battalion-strong Special Services Group (SSG).
A recently issued request for tender involving 100 7.62 mm sniper rifles and 50 0.50 cal sniper rifles is most likely geared to these troops as well. The SSG will be expanded, though details are unclear, but it has meanwhile been augmented through the establishment over two years ago of the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF).
The battalion-plus SOTF received equipment and training support from the US. It has dedicated aviation support, night-fighting capability and a counter-terrorism mission. Additionally, the training of two battalions of regular infantry as a reaction force in two army corps areas is partly completed. Each of the nine corps headquarters should eventually have such units.
Conventional requirements include improved firepower. There is interest in obtaining additional long-range artillery, including multiple rocket launcher systems with a range beyond 80 km, and two long-standing programmes are focused on main battle tanks (MBTs). The artillery systems will be supported by the planned induction of an undetermined number of target acquisition radars, ideally the US-made AN/TPQ-37(V) Firefinder weapon-locating radar, while provision of night-fighting capability is another priority.
The MBT programmes involve the new Al Khalid, now entering service for deployment along the southern border with India, and the upgraded T-59. Both are fitted with a 125 mm smoothbore gun (the T-59 previously used a 105 mm gun) together with advanced systems and better armour protection. The Al Khalid has night-fighting capability while two thermal imaging systems, from Thales and Sagem, are being evaluated to equip the T-59.
Support elements are also slotted for improvement, most notably in ground-based air defence.
"We've had shortages and, in fact, gross inadequacies in the medium-altitude capability," said Gen Ahsan. Separately, Gen Tariq noted: "We have placed a bias toward missiles rather than guns and on point defence rather than area defence."
This concern will be partly addressed through the acquisition planned for 2007 of a new low-altitude missile air-defence system, which should be produced locally under licence. Several systems are currently under evaluation.
The Pakistan Army, Gen Ahsan notes, is predominantly foot-infantry based.
"We are looking to provide them with greater protection, including nuclear, biological and chemical protection. We also want to equip them with night-vision devices and some more firepower," he said.
"We always planned for the infantry to have grenade launchers, but never obtained them. We now hope to start gradually procuring these."
