U.S. To Beef Up Pakistani Weapons

[EagleEyes]

U.S. TO BEEF UP PAKISTANI WEAPONS

The United States has agreed to improve Pakistan's non-conventional arsenal. Agreement was reached during a five-day meeting of their joint defense committee in Washington.

In addition to improving Pakistan's military capabilities, the U.S. has agreed to participate in joint military exercises next year.

The deal comes just weeks after the U.S. and India announced an agreement in the sphere of nuclear-power generation. While Washington is not suggesting there is a link between the two moves, Islamabad has expressed its concern about the Indian arrangement.

Washington and Islamabad have seen improved ties since the September 2001 terror attacks on the U.S. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has been very public in his declarations that Pakistan is a part of the fight against terrorism. He has survived numerous assassination attempts since his forces began fighting Al-Qa'ida cells on his country's porous border with Afghanistan. However, some critics say Musharraf's anti-terror campaign is only half-hearted given that he is the leader of a Muslim country, which includes a large and vocal Islamist minority.

http://themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=13602

 

[RAPTOR]

Here is another article form the Pak Media.

US to provide latest weapons to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (APP) – Pakistan, America Advisory Group has announced that United States would provide latest weapon and defence system to Pakistan.

America and Pakistan would hold joint military exercises in 2007, a private TV channel reported quoting Secretary Defence Lt Gen (r) Tariq Waseem Ghazi who is on a visit to US.
He said America has also agreed to provide conventional weapons and to strengthen defence capability of Pakistan.

He said during a meeting of Pakistan, America Advisory Group, Pakistan’s defence requirements were examined.

United States agreed that Pakistan’s weapons would be made latest.
He said US has also agreed to sell conventional weapons and latest weapon system to Pakistan so that fight against terrorism can effectively move forward.

 

[RAPTOR]

I suppose the US finally agreed to sell Pakistan the 1000 Bradley armoured carriers they were hoping to get soon after the aid package was announced.

 

[EagleEyes]

It is in interest of the U.S to equip Pakistan conventionally so it doesn't have to use its nuclear arsenal.

 

[RAPTOR]

That argument was used to arm Pakistan during the Cold War, and yet each time a democrat became president, he over turned it and favoured india instead. Hope that doesnt happen in 2008.

 

[RAPTOR]

Another article stressing inter-operability,transfer of technology and new weapons technologies between the two forces.


WASHINGTON, May 6: The US agreed to enhance Pakistan’s conventional weapons capabilities at a meeting of their defence consultative group (DCG), which concluded here this week.

During the five-day meeting, both sides reached an understanding on a wide range of issues, from weapon supplies to the war on terror, and reviewed proposals for converting their alliance against terror into a ‘deeper and long-standing relationship.’

“The Indo-US nuclear deal did come up for discussion and we did convey our reservations about the proposed agreement,” Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (retired) Tariq Waseem Ghazi told a briefing.

The centrepiece of the DCG was a discussion about the US-Pakistan long-term strategic relationship. During it, the two sides exchanged views about importance of US-Pakistan relationship and on “how we can build upon an already robust defence relationship and ensure that it continues to grow stronger,” said a joint statement issued after the talks.

The need for enhancing Pakistan’s conventional defence capabilities came up for discussion during a meeting of the security assistance working group, one of the sub-groups of the consultative body.

Both sides reviewed ‘defensive systems available to improve Pakistan’s conventional capabilities, Pakistan’s equipment priorities and the way ahead for a sustainable defence cooperation relationship,” the statement said.

At a separate meeting, the military cooperation committee looked at ways for ‘better coordinating military to military cooperation and for improving the overall US-Pakistan military relationship,” the statement said.

The committee finalized a schedule for joint exercises and training activities during 2007.

The security assistance working group reviewed proposals for procurement of US military equipment and services under the US foreign military sales programme. The talks focused on acquisition of weapons systems and related support, repair and upgrade of existing systems and the technology transfer process.

“We affirmed that ensuring interoperability of weapons systems, tactics, techniques and procedures between our militaries remains a high priority,” the joint statement said.

 

[Bull]

this looks like just another broad agreement,whats pakistani army going to get under the deal?

 

[RAPTOR]

It is in interest of the U.S to equip Pakistan conventionally so it doesn't have to use its nuclear arsenal.

I believe its also an attempt to reduce Pakistan's dependence on China for its defensive needs. But unless the US offers the PAC3 or Abrams,Predators,Apaches,A-10s and newer artillery systems with ToT, i would take all this with a grain of salt.

 

[Bull]

I believe its also an attempt to reduce Pakistan's dependence on China for its defensive needs. But unless the US offers the PAC3 or Abrams,Predators,Apaches,A-10s and newer artillery systems with ToT, i would take all this with a grain of salt.

do u have the money to buy all of them???

 

[RAPTOR]

Also ..i hear that the training of Military officers is going to be resumed after a long period. The crucial tools to fight the war on terror must be provided to Pakistan.

 

[RAPTOR]

If the nuclear deal between inda and the US goes through in the next few years in a limited form, Pakistan will certainly demand its pound of flesh from Bush. As a quid pro quo....massive modernisation of Pakistan's conventional Forces to counter any idiotic indian misadventures like "cold start"




US told N-deal should not disturb balance



By Our Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 7: Pakistan has told the United States that the Indo-US nuclear deal should not be allowed to disturb the existing balance of power in South Asia.

“We believe that everybody will suffer if this balance is disturbed,” Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (Rtd) Tariq Waseem Ghazi told a briefing in Washington.

Gen Ghazi, who was here for the 17th annual meeting of the US-Pakistan defence consultative group, said that Pakistan had ‘some reservations’ about the Indo-US nuclear deal and these reservations were raised during the five-day talks.

“We told them that the existing balance of power in South Asia must not be disturbed,” he said. “It will hurt everybody if this balance is disturbed.”

Gen Ghazi said that the Pakistani delegation also discussed the Bush administration’s concept of ‘de-hyphenation’ during the DCG talks and in their meetings with US officials.

The US says that it has ‘de-hyphenated’ its ties with India and Pakistan and relations with one will not be allowed to influence the other.

“We have different views on some aspects of this concept and we believe that (the Indo-US nuclear deal) may lead to an arms race in South Asia,” the defence secretary said.

He said US officials were told that allowing India to keep some of its nuclear facilities outside the IAEA safeguards has the potential to disturb the balance of power.

“There’s always a possibility of the diversion of fissile material from safeguarded to un-safeguarded facilities,” he said. “This could lead to escalation in greater weaponisation and arms race.”

The defence secretary said that Pakistan understood how to maintain the minimum strategic deterrence in the region and “will not be tempted into this race but it’s for the world to see” what could trigger such a competition.

He said it was not just Pakistan that had reservations about the Indo-US nuclear deal. “Enough people are questioning this in the US as well.”

Gen Ghazi said that during the DCG meetings both sides agreed that there was an ‘excellent’ understanding between the military establishments of the two countries and on issues of regional security. “But they also agreed that this understanding should go beyond defence ties and develop into a long-term friendship between the two countries.”

The defence secretary said that no US official or congressman he met during his weeklong stay in Washington raised any doubts about Pakistan’s sincerity to fighting terrorists hiding in the tribal belt or elsewhere.

“But we did talk about the need for enhancing the capacity of the Pakistani troops battling the militants and for better intelligence sharing between the two countries,” he added.

 

[EagleEyes]

I believe its also an attempt to reduce Pakistan's dependence on China for its defensive needs. But unless the US offers the PAC3 or Abrams,Predators,Apaches,A-10s and newer artillery systems with ToT, i would take all this with a grain of salt.

If Predators are offered, it is very likely we will be purchasing them. They will play a vital role in the fight against terrorism.

Apaches are way too expensive and hard to maintain, and Cobra can do the same job cheaper and we have acquired more of them.

A-10s? I dont think so.

Abram tanks? Why when you have Al-Khalids?

Artillery systems? Thats a good choice to go with.

 

[RAPTOR]

If Predators are offered, it is very likely we will be purchasing them. They will play a vital role in the fight against terrorism.

Apaches are way too expensive and hard to maintain, and Cobra can do the same job cheaper and we have acquired more of them.

A-10s? I dont think so.

Abram tanks? Why when you have Al-Khalids?

Artillery systems? Thats a good choice to go with.

The predators will either be provided or leased.

The cobras are old and compared to the Apaches, are underpowered.The new acquisitions will not be for the wot, but to counter the enemy on the east. For that you will need Apaches.

Put an Abrams and an Al-Khalid in head to head combat. Who do you think will destroy who?

A-10s are being retired in HUGE numbers. Instead of being sent to the bone yard...u think they would mind a sale to Pakistan?

modern Artillery systems are a dire need.

PA is also interested in the Bradley armoured carriers.

 

[Munir]

I have a strong feeling that it is 2 squadrons Apaches (not longbow).

 

[RAPTOR]

I have a strong feeling that it is 2 squadrons Apaches (not longbow).

Why not LongBows?