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"Race" with a nuclear flavor: Pakistan and India continue to arm
Politrussia.com
A few days ago I ended with the sale of the epic Pakistan 8 F-16 fighters. C amogo beginning of the transaction had no luck. In the autumn of 2015 it inflamed the debate in American political circles and the media about whether to sell Pakistani aircraft. Opponents of the deal and remembered about the fact that Pakistan is a haven for the Afghan leader of the movement "Taliban" (banned in the Russian organization -.. Ed.), And about international terrorism, and about the increase in the number of Islamabad tactical nuclear weapons to 110-130 units.
The contract for the supply of American fighters as a pretext to the international scandal hit the headlines in February 2016, when the US State Department approved the sale to Pakistan of eight F-16 with the involvement of "providing financial military aid programs to foreign countries» - Foreign Military Financing (FMF). According to the preliminary terms of the transaction, the total value of the contract amounted to 699 million. Dollars, of which Islamabad had to pay only 270 million. The rest of the proposed means to repay the FMF.
February 2016 highlighted the process of preparation of the contract in the light of international relations in Washington. As soon as the State Department and the Pentagon to approve the deal as the arena went out another player. India is not limited to mere regrets. From the standpoint of diplomatic rules Delhi reaction was more severe. The US ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where the Indian sideofficially expressed their dissatisfaction with the impending deal.
Under the current procedure for consideration of military contracts with foreign countries after the recommendations of the Department of State and Department of Defense US Congress could not restrict ourselves to the criticism and had to take a concrete decision. In the meantime, members of parliament thought, the head of the Pentagon Ashton Carter visited India with the next visit.
Over the past few years the United States is actively fighting for the Indian arms market and, if earlier Delhi tried not buy weapons from the prone to the dictates of the seller, today United States came in second place after Russia in terms of military contracts with India. It is significant that during the April visit, the sides also discussed cooperation in the field of aircraft. In particular, India and the US have agreed to work together to create a group of prospective aircraft engine. In addition, the defense ministers also discussed the possibility of organizing in India F-16 aircraft production and the F / A 18. On the eve of the visit of CarterIndia attended the senior representatives of Lockheed Martin and BoeingWhich can be very useful offered technology transfer for the production of these aircraft.
Such a significant interest in the Indian air force was not accidental. Start of 2016 marked the collapse of the Indo-French agreement on the purchase for the Indian Air Force Rafale fighters. Initially the tender involving several suppliers, including Americans. It is true then we are on technology transfer in India is not America led.Denied was the Russians. However, winning the French for several years, could not agree with India about who and where it will produce more than 120 aircraft. As a result, the Indians cut the order of up to 36 machines thatthe final agreement was recorded F.Ollanda during a visit to Delhi in January 2016
It is understood that the missing hundred fighters India will still buy. And the struggle over the future of the contract in full swing. In addition to traditional Russian producers in competition joined the Americans in the face of the already mentioned Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and the Swedes in the face of Saab,said in June its readiness to accommodate the production of Gripen fighter in India.
Interest manufacturers is clear. At stake contracts worth tens of billions of dollars. Although it appeared in the press a fault of the Ministry of Defence of India on cooperation with Lockheed Martin, Fold the Americans off too early, as the threat of non-cooperation were heard in New Delhi on the eve of the final decision by the US Congress on supplies to Pakistan. Therefore, the game is still in full swing. But fighters - not the only thing the Americans want to sell to India.
Against this background, the delivery to Pakistan 8 planes, so even with the assistance of American money actually appear in the eyes of the United States rather weak.
It seems that the US finally shifted from Islamabad to Delhi . Knowing the sensitivities of India in matters of military cooperation of third countries with Pakistan, the US understand the inappropriateness of supply fighter jets to Pakistan on favorable terms. But in order to look the part of all decent Americans have found a simple solution. In May Congress approved the sale of aircraft to Pakistan, however, refused to provide as security for transaction funds FMF and Pakistan need to seek their own funds to pay the entire amount.
For its part, Islamabad correctly assessed where the wind blows, accusing India in Pakistan lobbying unfavorable decision of US lawmakers. And if Islamabad in FebruaryHe expressed only surpriseabout the position of India in May Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Sartaj Aziz , speaking in Parliament,openly accused the Indian lobby in an attempt to frustrate the contract.
As for the agreement, Islamabad said that in case of failure of America of the original payment scheme, the contract is not concluded. Besides,Pakistanis threatened to turn to other suppliersFor example, China and Russia. Paramilitary media immediately rushed to discussWhich planes could replace US supplies. Among the most likely option is called the Russian Su-35 and Chinese J10 and J20.
Indeed, the agreement signed by Moscow and Islamabad at the end of 2014, provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in the military sphere . This immediately resulted in the interest of the Pakistani side for the Russian combat aircraft Su-35 and Mi-35 helicopters. And if for helicopters first contract for the supply of four machines has already been signed, in respect of fighter no clear certainty.
As for the Chinese aircraft, the most likely candidate could be JF17, the older the machine, to the real advantages that compared with competitors include only the presence of assembly production in Pakistan and established service system, as the Pakistani Air Force is already 60 JF17 units .
The intrigue surrounding the choice of an alternative supplier did not last long. The Americans allotted timePakistan has not confirmed its intention to buy the F-16 at full price. June 13 Pakistani officials announced their intention to acquire 8 used the F-16 from Jordan, and stressed that they would consider other possible supply of fighters from Russia and France. The contract with Jordan's nothing special, because the same US in 2012 gave Pakistan 14 second-hand F-16 with extended lifetimes.
But cooperation with Russia could be a red flag for military equipment suppliers in Pakistan. On the one hand, despite the cooling of the Pakistan-US relations, the United States bring the situation to the final break is hardly going. In addition to the supply of weapons to Islamabad contacts with the Americans need to support the activities of their troops in Afghanistan, as well as, even causing some resentment of Pakistanis fight against terrorist organizations in its territory.
On the other hand , China is the main ally of Pakistan in the region, hardly pleased appearance competitor . Experience of previous cooperation suggests that a number of areas in the Russian state to push the Middle Kingdom by the wayside. This happened, for example, the RD-93 engines, which are installed on the aforementioned JF17. In 2007, Russia has allowed China to re-export the RD-93 to Pakistan. The contract involves the supply of up to 1000 engines. However, after a time, Pakistan, rolled out production JF17 on its territory and has taken advantage of the warming of relations with Moscow, said that the direct supply of engines from Russia, preferable use mediation schemes in China. Moreover, at the end of last yearrepresentatives of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex announcedThey do not intend to change the RD-93 on the Chinese counterparts and will continue to cooperate with the Russian manufacturer based JF17 prospects for exports to third countries.
The situation is closely following India is extremely sensitive to the growth of the military power of a neighbor. In this regard, strengthening contacts with Pakistan Moscow Delhi makes it clear that the Indian step toward the United States will not remain unanswered . If India is ready to expand cooperation with third countries at the expense of traditional Russian share of the Indian market, Moscow has the right to seek alternative avenues of cooperation. While Russia argues its contacts with Pakistan as a strategic damage as to non-Indian. The same supply engines justified JF17 obsolete aircraft design, do not pose a threat to the more modern Indian Air Force. While the Indian government does not comment on statements by Pakistan about its interest in the Russian fighters, but this silence is deceptive. Once on the horizon will be the prospect of the transition from words to actual contracts, Delhi will not fail to intervene. Especially in this case, Pakistan can get a fighter, a superior or at least equal to the characteristics of those machines, which can expect the Indian Air Force.
Style of future behavior Delhi Russia will be able to understand in the near future on the example of the helicopter contract. If four Mi-35 really put Pakistan on last year's contract does not represent a threat to Delhi, the Pakistani statement about the negotiations on increasing the number of vehicles delivered to 12 is serious.With reference to the words of the Minister of military industry of Pakistan,negotiations should be completed by the end of summer. Russian manufacturers of success may not be for India against the backdrop of a cold showerproblems in the implementation of the contract for the supply of Indian attack helicopters AH-64D Apache. Incidentally, in the tender was attended by the Russians, along with the Americans, but India chose to Apaches.
Pakistan's rejection of a US contract to supply F-16 shows the complex processes that occur in South Asia. It is not just about the economic side of the military contract, and to change the military-political orientations main geopolitical players. If America's drift from Pakistan towards India can be seen quite clearly, the position of India and Russia is not so rigidly defined. As the largest purchaser of arms in the region, India is trying to diversify its sources of arms procurement , while trying to exert pressure on suppliers. Serious competition for the Indian market allows India to solve their strategic objectives in the region.
As for Pakistan, it is the threat of a contract for the supply of Russian fighters can be seen as an attempt to scare the US rapprochement with Moscow. A serious economic basis for the conclusion of such a contract yet. The decision to purchase the Jordanian F-16 shows the current financial constraints of Islamabad. But this does not mean that the situation will not change in the future. And if China has become a major partner and strategic ally of Pakistan, why Russia can not support their military hardware to Islamabad?
In turn, Russia can no longer count on a gentleman's agreement with India, under which Moscow will minimize contacts with third countries in the interests of India in exchange for the exclusive supply of arms. The military-political situation in Asia and Russia has changed to revise the basis of partnerships with such countries as India and Pakistan. If India states that the selection of a partner in military-technical cooperation is based exclusively on the economic base and the efficiency of the delivered arms without regard to political and historical preferences, and Russia gets the moral right to act similarly. In this case, the main Moscow's task is to find the optimal balance between the economic benefits of the PTS and the protection of their geopolitical interests in South Asia .
http://politrussia.com/world/pakistan-pytaetsya-razozlit-512/
Politrussia.com
A few days ago I ended with the sale of the epic Pakistan 8 F-16 fighters. C amogo beginning of the transaction had no luck. In the autumn of 2015 it inflamed the debate in American political circles and the media about whether to sell Pakistani aircraft. Opponents of the deal and remembered about the fact that Pakistan is a haven for the Afghan leader of the movement "Taliban" (banned in the Russian organization -.. Ed.), And about international terrorism, and about the increase in the number of Islamabad tactical nuclear weapons to 110-130 units.
The contract for the supply of American fighters as a pretext to the international scandal hit the headlines in February 2016, when the US State Department approved the sale to Pakistan of eight F-16 with the involvement of "providing financial military aid programs to foreign countries» - Foreign Military Financing (FMF). According to the preliminary terms of the transaction, the total value of the contract amounted to 699 million. Dollars, of which Islamabad had to pay only 270 million. The rest of the proposed means to repay the FMF.
February 2016 highlighted the process of preparation of the contract in the light of international relations in Washington. As soon as the State Department and the Pentagon to approve the deal as the arena went out another player. India is not limited to mere regrets. From the standpoint of diplomatic rules Delhi reaction was more severe. The US ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where the Indian sideofficially expressed their dissatisfaction with the impending deal.
Under the current procedure for consideration of military contracts with foreign countries after the recommendations of the Department of State and Department of Defense US Congress could not restrict ourselves to the criticism and had to take a concrete decision. In the meantime, members of parliament thought, the head of the Pentagon Ashton Carter visited India with the next visit.
Over the past few years the United States is actively fighting for the Indian arms market and, if earlier Delhi tried not buy weapons from the prone to the dictates of the seller, today United States came in second place after Russia in terms of military contracts with India. It is significant that during the April visit, the sides also discussed cooperation in the field of aircraft. In particular, India and the US have agreed to work together to create a group of prospective aircraft engine. In addition, the defense ministers also discussed the possibility of organizing in India F-16 aircraft production and the F / A 18. On the eve of the visit of CarterIndia attended the senior representatives of Lockheed Martin and BoeingWhich can be very useful offered technology transfer for the production of these aircraft.
Such a significant interest in the Indian air force was not accidental. Start of 2016 marked the collapse of the Indo-French agreement on the purchase for the Indian Air Force Rafale fighters. Initially the tender involving several suppliers, including Americans. It is true then we are on technology transfer in India is not America led.Denied was the Russians. However, winning the French for several years, could not agree with India about who and where it will produce more than 120 aircraft. As a result, the Indians cut the order of up to 36 machines thatthe final agreement was recorded F.Ollanda during a visit to Delhi in January 2016
It is understood that the missing hundred fighters India will still buy. And the struggle over the future of the contract in full swing. In addition to traditional Russian producers in competition joined the Americans in the face of the already mentioned Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and the Swedes in the face of Saab,said in June its readiness to accommodate the production of Gripen fighter in India.
Interest manufacturers is clear. At stake contracts worth tens of billions of dollars. Although it appeared in the press a fault of the Ministry of Defence of India on cooperation with Lockheed Martin, Fold the Americans off too early, as the threat of non-cooperation were heard in New Delhi on the eve of the final decision by the US Congress on supplies to Pakistan. Therefore, the game is still in full swing. But fighters - not the only thing the Americans want to sell to India.
Against this background, the delivery to Pakistan 8 planes, so even with the assistance of American money actually appear in the eyes of the United States rather weak.
It seems that the US finally shifted from Islamabad to Delhi . Knowing the sensitivities of India in matters of military cooperation of third countries with Pakistan, the US understand the inappropriateness of supply fighter jets to Pakistan on favorable terms. But in order to look the part of all decent Americans have found a simple solution. In May Congress approved the sale of aircraft to Pakistan, however, refused to provide as security for transaction funds FMF and Pakistan need to seek their own funds to pay the entire amount.
For its part, Islamabad correctly assessed where the wind blows, accusing India in Pakistan lobbying unfavorable decision of US lawmakers. And if Islamabad in FebruaryHe expressed only surpriseabout the position of India in May Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Sartaj Aziz , speaking in Parliament,openly accused the Indian lobby in an attempt to frustrate the contract.
As for the agreement, Islamabad said that in case of failure of America of the original payment scheme, the contract is not concluded. Besides,Pakistanis threatened to turn to other suppliersFor example, China and Russia. Paramilitary media immediately rushed to discussWhich planes could replace US supplies. Among the most likely option is called the Russian Su-35 and Chinese J10 and J20.
Indeed, the agreement signed by Moscow and Islamabad at the end of 2014, provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in the military sphere . This immediately resulted in the interest of the Pakistani side for the Russian combat aircraft Su-35 and Mi-35 helicopters. And if for helicopters first contract for the supply of four machines has already been signed, in respect of fighter no clear certainty.
As for the Chinese aircraft, the most likely candidate could be JF17, the older the machine, to the real advantages that compared with competitors include only the presence of assembly production in Pakistan and established service system, as the Pakistani Air Force is already 60 JF17 units .
The intrigue surrounding the choice of an alternative supplier did not last long. The Americans allotted timePakistan has not confirmed its intention to buy the F-16 at full price. June 13 Pakistani officials announced their intention to acquire 8 used the F-16 from Jordan, and stressed that they would consider other possible supply of fighters from Russia and France. The contract with Jordan's nothing special, because the same US in 2012 gave Pakistan 14 second-hand F-16 with extended lifetimes.
But cooperation with Russia could be a red flag for military equipment suppliers in Pakistan. On the one hand, despite the cooling of the Pakistan-US relations, the United States bring the situation to the final break is hardly going. In addition to the supply of weapons to Islamabad contacts with the Americans need to support the activities of their troops in Afghanistan, as well as, even causing some resentment of Pakistanis fight against terrorist organizations in its territory.
On the other hand , China is the main ally of Pakistan in the region, hardly pleased appearance competitor . Experience of previous cooperation suggests that a number of areas in the Russian state to push the Middle Kingdom by the wayside. This happened, for example, the RD-93 engines, which are installed on the aforementioned JF17. In 2007, Russia has allowed China to re-export the RD-93 to Pakistan. The contract involves the supply of up to 1000 engines. However, after a time, Pakistan, rolled out production JF17 on its territory and has taken advantage of the warming of relations with Moscow, said that the direct supply of engines from Russia, preferable use mediation schemes in China. Moreover, at the end of last yearrepresentatives of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex announcedThey do not intend to change the RD-93 on the Chinese counterparts and will continue to cooperate with the Russian manufacturer based JF17 prospects for exports to third countries.
The situation is closely following India is extremely sensitive to the growth of the military power of a neighbor. In this regard, strengthening contacts with Pakistan Moscow Delhi makes it clear that the Indian step toward the United States will not remain unanswered . If India is ready to expand cooperation with third countries at the expense of traditional Russian share of the Indian market, Moscow has the right to seek alternative avenues of cooperation. While Russia argues its contacts with Pakistan as a strategic damage as to non-Indian. The same supply engines justified JF17 obsolete aircraft design, do not pose a threat to the more modern Indian Air Force. While the Indian government does not comment on statements by Pakistan about its interest in the Russian fighters, but this silence is deceptive. Once on the horizon will be the prospect of the transition from words to actual contracts, Delhi will not fail to intervene. Especially in this case, Pakistan can get a fighter, a superior or at least equal to the characteristics of those machines, which can expect the Indian Air Force.
Style of future behavior Delhi Russia will be able to understand in the near future on the example of the helicopter contract. If four Mi-35 really put Pakistan on last year's contract does not represent a threat to Delhi, the Pakistani statement about the negotiations on increasing the number of vehicles delivered to 12 is serious.With reference to the words of the Minister of military industry of Pakistan,negotiations should be completed by the end of summer. Russian manufacturers of success may not be for India against the backdrop of a cold showerproblems in the implementation of the contract for the supply of Indian attack helicopters AH-64D Apache. Incidentally, in the tender was attended by the Russians, along with the Americans, but India chose to Apaches.
Pakistan's rejection of a US contract to supply F-16 shows the complex processes that occur in South Asia. It is not just about the economic side of the military contract, and to change the military-political orientations main geopolitical players. If America's drift from Pakistan towards India can be seen quite clearly, the position of India and Russia is not so rigidly defined. As the largest purchaser of arms in the region, India is trying to diversify its sources of arms procurement , while trying to exert pressure on suppliers. Serious competition for the Indian market allows India to solve their strategic objectives in the region.
As for Pakistan, it is the threat of a contract for the supply of Russian fighters can be seen as an attempt to scare the US rapprochement with Moscow. A serious economic basis for the conclusion of such a contract yet. The decision to purchase the Jordanian F-16 shows the current financial constraints of Islamabad. But this does not mean that the situation will not change in the future. And if China has become a major partner and strategic ally of Pakistan, why Russia can not support their military hardware to Islamabad?
In turn, Russia can no longer count on a gentleman's agreement with India, under which Moscow will minimize contacts with third countries in the interests of India in exchange for the exclusive supply of arms. The military-political situation in Asia and Russia has changed to revise the basis of partnerships with such countries as India and Pakistan. If India states that the selection of a partner in military-technical cooperation is based exclusively on the economic base and the efficiency of the delivered arms without regard to political and historical preferences, and Russia gets the moral right to act similarly. In this case, the main Moscow's task is to find the optimal balance between the economic benefits of the PTS and the protection of their geopolitical interests in South Asia .
http://politrussia.com/world/pakistan-pytaetsya-razozlit-512/
