Defence News

(PakistaniDefence.com)

June 2001

Pakistan and China In talks On Strategic Port for Pakistani Navy

Pakistan and Chinese navel officials are in talks to construct another strategic port for Pakistan Navy. General Pervez Musharraf sought Chinese assistance for the projects when Premier Zhu Rongji visited Pakistan last month. Zhu agreed in principle to cooperate in providing assistance to Pakistan. This project is part of Gwadar port, which is 700 kilometers (434 miles) west of Karachi. This port provides Pakistan Navy Strategic edge. As it gives the second option for Pakistan Navy to strike back.

Chinese Communication Minister Wong Zhendong is arriving here this week to finalize all the arrangements in this regard. This port is viewed as one of the major defense & economical project between two countries. 

China has decided to transfer ammunition manufacturing technology for the T-80 Ukraine battle tanks to Pakistan. Media reports here said that as an immediate follow-up to Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to Islamabad last month, Beijing offered to transfer technology for manufacturing the ammunition for T-80 as a first step towards renewed co-operation in the field of defense.

Ammunition technology for the T-80 tanks was hitherto being imported from the US and NATO.

"One round of ammunition imported from NATO countries used to cost us many thousands of dollars. Buying arms from China would mean also having an advantage of not paying immediately as is the case with other US and Western defense organizations," Pakistan daily Dawn reported quoting defense sources.

The Chinese offer was expected to end Pakistan’s dependence on imported ammunition from US, they said.

The offer was made during the recent visit of chairman of Pakistan Ordinance Factories, (POF) Lt Gen. Abdul Qayyum to Beijing, who went there to initiate follow-up action to Zhu's visit to Islamabad.

The ammunition would be manufactured in POFs ordinance factories at Wah for 500, T-80 UD Ukrainian tanks, which were purchased during the tenure of former army chief Gen. (retd) Jahangir Karamat.

The technology transfer to manufacture T-80 tanks ammunition was in addition to an offer made by Chinese for the production of 12.7 millimeter anti-aircraft guns. The mass production of these guns has already started for export purposes, Dawn said.

Russia To Upgrade Indian Air Defense System

One of Pakistan's top news paper reports that Russia will help redesign an air defense system to cover all of India, a senior Russian minister said on Wednesday.

Interfax quoted Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov as saying that work on the national air defense system was a crucial aspect of closer military ties between the two powers. "This is a big and very complex project," said Klebanov, who did not give details of the scheme. He also said the two countries would develop a military transport aircraft, the Il-214, which he described as "the plane of the 21st century".

Klebanov, who oversees Russia's vast military-industrial complex and military exports, also said talks were proceeding on developing a fifth generation of jet fighters. Indian External Affairs and Defence Minister Jaswant Singh arrived in Moscow on Monday for several days of talks on military and trade ties with top Russian officials.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, meeting Singh on his last day in the Russian capital, welcomed November's planned visit to Moscow by Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. "I am sure it will become another important stage in the development of bilateral relations", he said. "Our trend in economic relations has been developing very actively," Putin said, pointing to two-way trade of some $1.7 billion a year, excluding military-technical cooperation.

Earlier this week, Singh told reporters that contracts for more than $10 billion in Russian defence equipment had been concluded in the last four years. Singh was expected to sign a broad arms cooperation deal before the conclusion of his visit on Wednesday. He also met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov, who said they shared the same view on regional and international security issues.

Russia hopes to turn its military exports sector into a significant currency earner and India and China are the two biggest buyers of its hardware. India has agreed to buy ship-based versions of the Sukhoi-30 fighter as well as T-90 main battle tanks. Klebanov said this week the two sides were also close to a deal on the sale of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

Pakistan Not To Change Status Of LoC, Say's FM

Pakistani Forgien Misnster has said that the status of Line of Control (LoC) will not be changed. This was reported by a mojor Pakistani news paper. The paper also said, Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar has out rightly rejected the proposal to freeze the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, saying: "Status quo is the problem. It cannot be a solution." "A solution has to be responsive to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. They have sacrificed 75,000 lives in the struggle for freedom. They have demonstrated an iron resolution to achieve their birthright," the foreign minister told The News in an interview with this correspondent on Sunday.

The LoC, which has a nearly 30 years long history, is presently quiet as Pakistan has taken a unilateral decision to withdraw its troops from the area - a policy it is still honouring, though New Delhi has put an end to the ceasefire in Occupied Kashmir. When Sattar was asked whether the LoC could be made a permanent border, he responded: "The Line of Control resulted from the ceasefire of December 17, 1971, and was so described in the Simla Agreement of 1972. It could not and did not prejudice or compromise the right of the people of Kashmir to self-determination. They, as well as Pakistan, have made it clear a settlement must be responsive to the aspirations of the people Kashmir."

Asked to explain the term "flexibility" repeatedly being used by Pakistan; that how far this flexibility could stretch, the Pakistani foreign minister replied: "We will be going to the New Delhi meeting with an open mind and with the intention of making the summit a success. We hope the Indian side will also have the same approach".

Positions of both Islamabad and New Delhi are by now well known. On Sunday Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said in New Delhi he was hopeful to find a solution to the Kashmir dispute. Similarly, Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf has, on many occasions, spoken "flexibility" on the Kashmir issue without going into details.

The question being raised on the eve of a summit meeting between General Pervez Musharraf and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is that what could be the possible solution to the Kashmir issue? Sattar said the solution to the Kashmir problems was identified fifty years ago. The two sides (Pakistan, India) would meet in New Delhi with an open mind to make the summit a success. "The Kashmiri people have to be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination. This is their birthright. It was pledged to them by Pakistan and India, and by the international community in UN Security Council resolutions.

Pakistan, Italy To Boost Defense Cooperation

 June 7: Pakistan and Italy reached a consensus on Thursday to boost cooperation in the field of defense production. The signing of minutes ceremony was held in the Defense Production Division between Pakistan and Italy , marking the cooperation between the two countries.

The minutes were signed by Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, Secretary-General and Director-General, National Armament, on behalf of Italy while the Secretary, Defense Production Division, Air Marshal Zahid Anis( retired), represented Pakistan. Both sides expressed the view that this was the first step towards increasing defense cooperation between the two countries.

They decided to take advantage of the situation on reciprocal basis, with technological advancement of Italy, combined with high skilled and low labors cost in Pakistan. They maintained that an agreement would be extremely beneficial for defense projects of mutual interest.

Expressing his gratitude, Admiral Paola thanked the secretary, defense, for the hospitality extended to him and his team during the visit. He said that a lot of good work had been done on different projects, and added that other areas of cooperation also needed to be identified. Referring to his visits to Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Wah, and Heavy Industries, Taxila, Admiral Paola said he was highly impressed with the quality of work at these factories.

The secretary, defense production, thanked Admiral Paola for the kind sentiments and hoped that his visit would go a long way in enhancing defense cooperation between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Italian delegation, led by Admiral Paola, called on the Secretary, Defense, Lt- Gen Hamid Nawaz Khan (retired).

Welcoming the team, the secretary, defense, said Pakistan and Italy enjoyed cordial relations and added that commonality of views existed between the two countries on various world issues. Admiral Paola said a lot of potential existed in the defense production field, which could be utilized to the mutual benefit of both the countries.-APP

Indian Army Sacks Kargil Brigade Commander

June 7th: The Indian government has terminated the services of controversial Kargil brigade commander Brigadier Surinder Singh. The army remained cagey about the exact cause for termination of service. Surinder had been found "guilty of leaking confidential documents to the press and not performing professionally during the Kargil conflict," officials said. His termination comes two years after his removal from active duty in June 1999.

Surinder had been served with a show-cause notice by former army chief Gen Ved Prakash Malik on August 28 last year. In his response, Surinder put the blame on his senior officers. He was, however, granted an interview by Malik's successor General S Padmanabhan. Sources said that Lt-Gen A R K Reddy Committee looking military lapses leading to Kargil conflict found that he did not conduct himself professionally and initially "misled" his senior officers about the ground situation. The Reddy committee report also found him guilty of not carrying out "effective patrolling" along the LoC.

China To Re-deploy Missiles With India Border reports UIPS

United States Institute for peace studies says "China may re-deploy intermediate-range ballistic missiles on its border with India besides increasing military aid to Pakistan" 

The Chinese Military's Discourse on National Security and Identity in the Post-Mao Era,' says China would enhance military ties with Pakistan to deflect Indian military pressure on the Sino-Indian border." Written by a leading Chinese-American scholar, Dr Nan Li, the study says that China feels "highly vulnerable" only in its relationship with India in the region and not so any more with either Russia or the Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam and North Korea.

"This vulnerability may be exacerbated by several major developments, including India's control of large chunks of territory that China claims; the disruption of recent bilateral efforts to alleviate border tension and resolve territorial disputes; by India's recent testing of nuclear weapons, which has created another obstacle in improving their relationship; the operation from India of an active Tibetan independence movement, which is quite successful in internationalizing the Tibet issue and enhancing an independence consciousness within Tibet; and a relatively low-level of bilateral investment and trade."

Li opines that China is most likely to take a defensive position that focuses on conserving what is in its possession, rather than an offensive posture that place an emphasis on acquiring what it claims. It predicts that "such a defensive position may entail stockpiling material and improving communications and road linkages at forward positions along the borders and developing infrastructure that links these positions with the rear so that reinforcements may be more swiftly deployed in the event of conflict.

This defensive stance would be conditioned by: "including India's acquisition of nuclear weapons; difficult logistics to sustain an offensive operation; and the general perception of the disputed territories as barren mountain ranges that have little economic value."           (Published in The News)

Pakistan Sends Another Batch Of Troops To Sierra Leone

June 9th: In effort to attain international peace and stability a group of 265 Pakistani soldiers from a total contingent of some 4,000 troops has arrived in Sierra Leone for peacekeeping operations, the UN mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) said on Friday.

UN spokeswoman for UNAMSIL Margaret Novicki told AFP the first batch of Pakistani troops arrived in Freetown on Thursday. "This is just an advance party of 265 officers and men. We expect the rest any time in July," she said, adding that the total number of Pakistani soldiers would be around 4,000.

These additions will permit the 12,000-strong UNAMSIL to reach the 17,500-level authorized by the UN Security Council on March 30, 2001

The reinforcement should allow the UN force which was embarrassed last year when the rebels took peacekeepers hostage by the Revolutionary United Front rebel (RUF) group. The RUF has battled successive governments in Freetown over the past 10 years. The war has claimed several thousand lives. The RUF is notorious for chopping off the limbs of innocent civilians.

Pakistan is one of few countries in the world who has committed its self for international peace. Its has sent its troops all over the world under UN. This action of Pakistan sending more troops to Sierra Leone shows it commitment towards this great cause.

Another IAF MiG-21 Crashes in Northern Indian State Of Himachal Pradesh

June 9th: Indian Air Force's MiG-21 crashed in the Northern state of Himachal Pradesh. Pilot bailed out successfully, Press Trust of India reports. A statement was issued by Indian Air Force command saying "The plane was on a routine mission when it crashed in the hilly state's Kangra district soon after take-off." The spokesman also said "A detailed inquiry has been ordered" 

Indian Air Force has suffered too many crashes in there history, but crashes increased dramatically in last 10 years . It has been seen in most of the cases that the planes crashed basically of  poor maintenance and Indian pilots inability to control the plane.

India And Russia Test Fire A Cruse Missile

June 13th: India and Russia today tested a  supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed, which may be unrivalled in the region. Indian Defense Minister, Jaswant Singh, present at the Chandipur-on-sea test site said "Its going to be the best missile India ever had". With a range of 280 km., the missile  will be simultaneously inducted into Indian and Russian arsenals. It is expected to be inducted in the next three to four years after several additional tests. Indian authorities claim that it can be launched from land by a mobile launcher, ship, submarine or aircraft to target warships at very long distances. Although there remains very serious doubts about its accuracy to hit the target, as there were no details given out on its guidance system.

With this test Indian claims that there missile program is indigenous received a serious blow. As it is known in international community that Indian missile program is basically Russian assisted. This test creates another question about credibility of Indian missile program, as Indian defense Minister said "Its going to be the best missile India ever had", creates doubts about India's current missile systems in service and under development.  

Pakistan Rangers Stopped Tenth Indian Attempt To Fence Working Boundary  

June 16: Chnab Rangers stopped tenth attempt by Indian forces to fence Working Boundary in Bajwat, Herpal and Charda sectors. This area is classified as disputed between two countries and its not a part of International border. Ranger's spokesman confirmed that " There was an Indian attempt to fence Working Boundary that was stopped by Chnab Rangers"  He also confirmed that two Indian soldiers were hit by Rangers and four pillars of fence were destroyed in the process. 

Indian Forces has been tiring to Fence disputed working boundary for past two months, there has been ten attempts by Indian forces so far. Pakistani Foreign office had also issued a press release two weeks ago that "any attempt to fence working boundary will be met with force."

Indian Armed Forces Ready to Salute Gen Musharraf

June 23 : Indian armed forces are all set to salute Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

As a measure of abundant precaution, the Indian Government has checked with chiefs of the armed forces whether they will have any reservations over receiving the general.

To the Government's query on the chiefs having to salute the Pakistan President, the view of the armed forces is that this is no issue with them at all. 

Indian Army Using Civilians As Shield Against Landmines In Indian Held Kashmir 

June 27th: Indian human rights commission has submitted a report to government that Indian army is using civilians in order to identify and neutralize landmine's in disputed region of Kashmir. The same report was also confirmed by a Pakistani News paper saying ": Indian army patrols looking for mines and booby traps in troubled Kashmir have found the safest and most effective way to conduct their dangerous searches, get a civilian to do it." 

The paper also reports that, Villagers in village of Poonch and Rajouri say most patrols will force two civilians to accompany them on the routine searches. "Two civilians, usually young men, accompany every 20 odd soldiers every morning to look for landmines or explosives planted by mujahideen," said Muhammad Hussain of Sarankote village. "They have to search along the roadsides, under the bridges and culverts, and behind the heavy rocks," Hussain said, adding that they were rarely given anything more than a wooden axe handle in terms of equipment.

An army officer leading the patrol denied any coercion was used when drafting in villagers for help. "It is with their agreement that we ask locals to accompany us who know the topography of the area very well," the officer said

According to well placed sources in Indian ministry of defense, they have received a Human rights commission report that was forwarded to them by Government of India. He refused to further comment.