Pakistan claims major breakthrough in the field of defence production
Wednesday March 15, 1989
By Mushahid Hussain
For once since she took over power in December last year, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was pushed out of the Pakistani newspaper headlines last month. And significantly, her place was taken by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Mirza Aslam Beg. Even more significant was the reason.
Addressing television audiences, Beg made a series of announcements which will have vital repercussions on the power equations not only within Pakistan but also in the sub-continent.
In the first week of February, Beg said that Pakistan had "tested two types of surface-to-surface missiles, one having a range of 8O km and the other 300 km". He added that "these missiles, including their guidance systems, have been developed indigenously and are extremely accurate systems which can carry a pay-load of over 500 kg".
The missiles have been named Hatf-I and Hatf-II. Hatf, the Arabic word for "deadly", is the name of the sword used by Prophet Mohammad during many of his battles. Beg and other senior army officers had witnessed the successful tiring of the Hatf missiles from mobile launching pads at test tiring ranges on the Makran coast in Baluchistan, Pakistan's southernmost tip, touching the Arabian Sea. At the same time and place, defence scientists also successfully test-fired multi-barrel rockets, achieving a range of 25 km.
That was not all. On February 14, Pakistan claimed "another breakthrough in the field of defence production", when shoulder-fired surface-to-air-missiles and laser range finders were displayed on national television. The well-known Pakistani nuclear scientist, Dr A.Q. Khan - who oversaw the development of this equipment - formally handed it over to Beg at an official ceremony. The shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile - which has a range of 50 metres to 5,000 metres - has been named Anza, Arabic for the "striking lance." used by the Prophet Mohammad in several early battles. No further details or pictures were released.
By announcing these "achievements" Pakistan is sending out a clear message that it is trying to catch up with India in defence technology. That the country has a nuclear programme is an established fact and the success of the missiles has a definite bearing on it. Even the respectable Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists notes that the missile projects in various Third World countries "were unfolded in direct combination with nuclear weapons programmes".
Artist's impressions of Hatf (top); and Anza
The timing of Beg's announcement, soon after the induction of a civilian government, was significant. Some observers have concluded that this is a clear example of the army's defiance of the Government. There was concern that such an important announcement should emanate from the army chief. As the Lahore-based English daily The Nation said in an editorial: "Would it not have been more apt to announce such momentous developments from the floor of the National Assembly?" The army chief also announced that the missiles would be on display at the March 23 Pakistan Day parade, an event certain to be played up in the Indian media just when Benazir and Rajiv Gandhi are talking in conciliatory terms.
Whatever the motives behind the timing, the missile launch is part of the ongoing plan to build a Pakistani armaments industry with international linkages. Currently, 80 per cent of the country's defence needs are met by imports. Pakistan plans to change this. The strategy involves closer security and defence production linkages with China, Iran and Turkey. countries with which Pakistan has old ties. This marks a shift from the early '80s, when military manpower was used to promote Pakistan's regional clout and earn hard currency. For instance, the 10,000-odd troops it stationed in Saudi Arabia between 1983 and 1987, earned Pakistan nearly $300 million.
The new strategy was also reflected in Benazir's choice of China - the sheet-anchor of Pakistan's defence industry so far - as the first stop in her tour itinerary. Equally significant. Beg made his announcement at a gathering which included military officers from several Muslim countries like Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia and Bangladesh. It was also no accident that the new missiles were given Islamic names.
Also, last fortnight the highest level defence delegation from Iran since the revolution was in Pakistan for a week's visit. Said Ali Shamkhani, the powerful Iranian minister for revolutionary guards and leader of the delegation: "Iran in collaboration with Pakistan will form an important part of the Islamic defence line in the region."
And on the eve of his arrival in Pakistan on an official visit, Turkish President Kenan Evren echoed: "Turkey and Pakistan should make a reappraisal of their defence industries' potential to increase cooperation." Such linkages are vital if Pakistan has to collect the resources and wherewithal for its other armament development programmes.
It is engaged in a limited modernisation programme of the Chinese made T-59 tank and the building of the F-7M airguard tighter on the Chinese F-7 airframe. These projects have evoked international interest. Particularly in India where analysts are . watching the growth of Pakistan's defence industry with more than academic interest.
Pakistan claims major breakthrough in the field of defence production : NEIGHBOURS - India Today
Wednesday March 15, 1989
By Mushahid Hussain
For once since she took over power in December last year, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was pushed out of the Pakistani newspaper headlines last month. And significantly, her place was taken by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Mirza Aslam Beg. Even more significant was the reason.
Addressing television audiences, Beg made a series of announcements which will have vital repercussions on the power equations not only within Pakistan but also in the sub-continent.
In the first week of February, Beg said that Pakistan had "tested two types of surface-to-surface missiles, one having a range of 8O km and the other 300 km". He added that "these missiles, including their guidance systems, have been developed indigenously and are extremely accurate systems which can carry a pay-load of over 500 kg".
The missiles have been named Hatf-I and Hatf-II. Hatf, the Arabic word for "deadly", is the name of the sword used by Prophet Mohammad during many of his battles. Beg and other senior army officers had witnessed the successful tiring of the Hatf missiles from mobile launching pads at test tiring ranges on the Makran coast in Baluchistan, Pakistan's southernmost tip, touching the Arabian Sea. At the same time and place, defence scientists also successfully test-fired multi-barrel rockets, achieving a range of 25 km.
That was not all. On February 14, Pakistan claimed "another breakthrough in the field of defence production", when shoulder-fired surface-to-air-missiles and laser range finders were displayed on national television. The well-known Pakistani nuclear scientist, Dr A.Q. Khan - who oversaw the development of this equipment - formally handed it over to Beg at an official ceremony. The shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile - which has a range of 50 metres to 5,000 metres - has been named Anza, Arabic for the "striking lance." used by the Prophet Mohammad in several early battles. No further details or pictures were released.
By announcing these "achievements" Pakistan is sending out a clear message that it is trying to catch up with India in defence technology. That the country has a nuclear programme is an established fact and the success of the missiles has a definite bearing on it. Even the respectable Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists notes that the missile projects in various Third World countries "were unfolded in direct combination with nuclear weapons programmes".
The timing of Beg's announcement, soon after the induction of a civilian government, was significant. Some observers have concluded that this is a clear example of the army's defiance of the Government. There was concern that such an important announcement should emanate from the army chief. As the Lahore-based English daily The Nation said in an editorial: "Would it not have been more apt to announce such momentous developments from the floor of the National Assembly?" The army chief also announced that the missiles would be on display at the March 23 Pakistan Day parade, an event certain to be played up in the Indian media just when Benazir and Rajiv Gandhi are talking in conciliatory terms.
Whatever the motives behind the timing, the missile launch is part of the ongoing plan to build a Pakistani armaments industry with international linkages. Currently, 80 per cent of the country's defence needs are met by imports. Pakistan plans to change this. The strategy involves closer security and defence production linkages with China, Iran and Turkey. countries with which Pakistan has old ties. This marks a shift from the early '80s, when military manpower was used to promote Pakistan's regional clout and earn hard currency. For instance, the 10,000-odd troops it stationed in Saudi Arabia between 1983 and 1987, earned Pakistan nearly $300 million.
The new strategy was also reflected in Benazir's choice of China - the sheet-anchor of Pakistan's defence industry so far - as the first stop in her tour itinerary. Equally significant. Beg made his announcement at a gathering which included military officers from several Muslim countries like Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia and Bangladesh. It was also no accident that the new missiles were given Islamic names.
Also, last fortnight the highest level defence delegation from Iran since the revolution was in Pakistan for a week's visit. Said Ali Shamkhani, the powerful Iranian minister for revolutionary guards and leader of the delegation: "Iran in collaboration with Pakistan will form an important part of the Islamic defence line in the region."
And on the eve of his arrival in Pakistan on an official visit, Turkish President Kenan Evren echoed: "Turkey and Pakistan should make a reappraisal of their defence industries' potential to increase cooperation." Such linkages are vital if Pakistan has to collect the resources and wherewithal for its other armament development programmes.
It is engaged in a limited modernisation programme of the Chinese made T-59 tank and the building of the F-7M airguard tighter on the Chinese F-7 airframe. These projects have evoked international interest. Particularly in India where analysts are . watching the growth of Pakistan's defence industry with more than academic interest.
Pakistan claims major breakthrough in the field of defence production : NEIGHBOURS - India Today
