Armée Pakistanaise / Pakistani Armed Forces (PAF)

Rappel du premier message :

Encore un contrat de perdu pour la France

Citation :

Pakistan Selects German Submarines


Pakistan to buy German subs, ignore French



KARACHI: In a departure from the past practice of acquiring submarines from France, Pakistan will buy three German Type 214 submarines.

Walter Freitag, the chief executive officer of the HDW, the largest conventional submarine maker in the world, told The News on Tuesday in an exclusive interview at the IDEAS 2008 here that his company had finalised technical specifications with the navy to build three Type 214 submarines in Pakistan.

The commercial contract has been finalised up to 95 per cent, he said, hoping the final contract in this regard will be signed soon. This is the first time that a clear picture of the billion-dollar deal that the Pakistan Navy is expected to sign in coming months has emerged. Earlier, during mid-90s, the navy had selected three French Agosta 90-B submarines, which were in addition to the two acquired earlier. The deal had generated a lot of controversy at that time.

This time French firm Armaris had offered to supply Pakistan three updated single-hulled, diesel-electric submarines all-French version of the Franco-Spanish Scorpene boat equipped with air-independent propulsion, a deal totalling about $1.2 billion.

However, Walter Freitag said he did not see that kind of controversy enveloping this project perceived during the 90s. The Pakistan Navy understands submarines and ours are the best, he said, rejecting claims of competitors that the Greek Navy had rejected Type 214.

In the Hellenic Navys case, a neutral surveyor was appointed, who decided that the submarine was technically OK and ready for commissioning, he said. The HDW CEO said the Type 214 was technologically more advanced than those of competitors. We use higher grade steel material, which allows greater diving depth, he said. Also, we have fuel cell AIPs and can integrate Harpoons with the Type 214.

The first submarine would be delivered to the Pakistan Navy in 64 months after signing of the contract while the rest would be completed successively in 12 months. Walter Freitag stated that they would be using facilities at the Karachi Shipyard for building Type 214 and minimal upgrade would be required. He added that the Type 214 was 100 per cent German and there was no chance of embargo on it in any case.

Meanwhile, authoritative sources told The News that the decision to acquire Type 214 over the French submarine was made not only because the submarine was more advanced than the French Marlin, but also because many countries had deployed the Type 214 submarines, so there would be no issue of spares.

They said Turkey would be acquiring six Type 214s, South Korea had ordered six more in addition to three ordered earlier, Portugal had bought two, besides several bought by the German Navy. As such, supportability for the Type 214 for the next 30-35 years would not be a major concern.

http://www.thenews.com.pk

Yakuza a écrit:

schedule,fini quand?

 

Spoiler:

 

Spoiler:

Selon le site kokpit.aero, le Pakistan a montré un intérêt pour le basic trainer Hurkus, ils vont en parler avec RTE durant sa visite.

Rappelons que Pakistan Aeronautical Complex a répondu au bid avec le Super Mushshak pour le remplacement de nos SF260, on devrait leur donner le contrat  

Source en Turque : http://kokpit.aero/pakistan-hurkusa-talip

Edit : Le PM a sa visite officielle au Pakistan le 23 décembre.

A100+T-80UD+Al Khalid+Cobra+M109

Citation :

Pakistan inducts multi-role combat aircraft built with Chinese help

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday hailed the induction of Pakistan Air Force's 50th JF-17 fighter aircraft, built with Chinese help, as a move towards "self-reliance" and said the country's defence strategy is being devised on modern lines.

Underlining that the objective situation has undergone a change due to new research and innovations, Sharif said, "Today, one can enter any territory sitting thousands mile away without physically moving one's armed forces. This has been possible only due to the capability of air force and the new technology".

"We know very well that no battle can be won with outdated technology and discarded strategies," Sharif said at the roll-out ceremony of the 50th JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.

"Pakistan's defence strategy is therefore being devised under this scenario," he said.

Sharif expressed happiness with Pakistan military leadership's full cognisance of the changing environment and its following of an agreed and well integrated approach.



JF-17 fighter aircraft
A file photo of the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force taking off from Mushaf base in Sargodha, north Pakistan. Photo Courtesy: Reuters


"The new technology and modern expertise have transformed our defence into a great force," he said.

"The JF-17 aircraft development and production is a major flag bearer in our journey towards self-reliance and industrialisation and adds a glorious chapter in the history of Pakistan's friendship with China," Sharif said.

The PAC JF-17 is a light weight, single engine, and multi-role combat aircraft which has been developed by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAC) of China.

The aircraft is 15 metres long and is said to be able to tackle all kinds of weather.

Sharif congratulated Chief of the Air Staff and his team on the successful completion of in-country production of the first batch of 50 JF-17 aircrafts.

He said the skill and passion of 'flying falcons' to conquer the skies assured that the country's aerial frontiers were safe and secure.

The Prime Minister stressed that the proficiency of PAF was not limited to the air alone, but it was equally competent to show its mettle in the fields of aircraft manufacture, radar and even the drone technology.

Speaking about ties with China, Sharif said, "We have achieved a number of milestones in a short period during the journey of our enduring friendship with China. These include projects like Gawadar Port, Chashma Power Project, Karakoram Highway, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the recent Karachi Civil Nuclear Power Plant."

Recalling his visit to China, he said several agreements of strategic nature were reached between the "brotherly countries".

The most prominent amongst them is establishing an economic corridor, linking Gawadar to China through Khunjrab Pass, which would have far reaching impact on the future of Pakistan and the region, he said.

"I take this opportunity to thank our most valued and trustworthy friend for the support in JF-17 Project and in several other joint projects countrywide," he said.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in

Selon le site kokpit.aero, des responsables de l'armée Pakistanaise vont venir en Turquie dans les prochains jours pour évaluer l'ATGM UMTAS avec un test réel.

Les Pakistanais auraient montré un grand intérêt, là où ça coince le plus c'est la situation économique du Pakistan mais le SSM travaillerait sur une solution.

Lien en Turque : http://kokpit.aero/index.php?route=article/article&article_id=5505

Citation :

Le Pakistan lance le JF-17 block II



le Pakistan vient de lancer la production du chasseur JF-17»Thunder» block II en collaboration avec la Chine. Le nouveau standard du «Thunder» a pris un an de retard sur le calendrier officiel.
 
Le JF-17 «Thunder» va être produit dans un standard amélioré soit le Block II, qui comprendra une liaison de données (Link16) une meilleure capacité de guerre électronique. L’avion pourra être ravitaillé en vol et disposera d’un armement élargit, notamment avec le missile courte portée A-Darter conçu par le Brésil et l’Afrique du Sud (version pakistanaise uniquement). Le block II sera produit est livré pour 2016.
Radar intermédiaire :
Le JF-17 «Thunder» block II disposera d’un radar intermédiaire,  soit  le KLJ-7 fabriqué en Chine par CTEC et il est doté d’une antenne mécanique. Le KLJ est assez proche du RC400 de THALES. On se rappelle d’ailleurs que la société française était en course pour équiper la version pakistanaise de l’avion, mais les tensions entre les deux pays à propos de la vente de sous-marins ont fait avorter ce projet.
Préparer le standard block III :
En réalité, le standard Block II prépare l’arrivée d’un standard plus évolué du chasseur sino-pakistanais avec la version définitive de l’avion, soit le Block III qui sera produite à partir de 2020. Cette ultime version recevra un radar à balayage électronique (AESA) dérivé du modèle prévu pour équipe le J-10B chinois. Celui-ci, sera cependant plus petit et donc moins efficient.
En ce qui concerne la version pakistanaise, les block III seront produit de manière indigène mais recevront le radar AESA à Nanjing en Chine.
A propos du JF-17 « Thunder » / FC-1 Xiaolong :
Le JF-17 «Thunder» (Pakistan) ou FC-1 «Xiaolong» (Chine) est une association sino-pakistanaise. Conçu en Chine par le constructeur d’Etat AVIC, il est co-financé par le Pakistan et produit par  PakistanComlex (PAC). Chasseur mono-réacteur propulsé par une version chinoise du réacteur RD-93 dérivé du RD-33 russe, qui équipe le MiG-29. L’avion a effectué son premier vol en septembre 2003. Avion multirôles d’un faible coût, soit environ 20 millions de dollars, il est équipé d’une avionique moderne par rapport aux A-5C et F-7P (dérivés des MiG-19/21).
L’armement comprend deux canons GSh-23 (23mm), jusqu’à 3.700kg/£ 8150 de charge utile. Doté d’armement occidental pour la version JF-17 comme des Sidewinder AIM-9P ou des PL-7/8/9 chinois.
La version chinoise dispose d’une capacité de tir à grande distance avec le missile PL-12/SD-10.



http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2013/12/22/le-pakistan-lance-le-jf-17-block-ii-854687.html

Citation :

Pakistan Named ‘Most Improved’ on Nuclear Security


Pakistan did more since 2012 to boost protection of its atomic-bomb fuel than any other nuclear-armed country, analysts said on Wednesday.
The South Asian nation "is taking steps to update its nuclear security regulations and to implement nuclear security best practices," according to the “NTI Nuclear Materials Index,” unveiled at a morning press conference.
At the same time, Pakistan ranked just 22 on a list of 25 nations in terms of its atomic-material protections, according to the second biennial edition of the global index, developed by the Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Given its ongoing low rankings, the Islamabad government "must still improve its regulations for physical protection, control and accounting, and insider threat prevention," according to the assessment.
The Nuclear Threat Initiative is a Washington nonprofit organization, and the Economist Intelligence Unit is an analytical consultancy based in London, New York and Hong Kong. The two organizations collaborated to produce the new index in the run-up to an international gathering of world leaders on nuclear security this spring in the Netherlands.
Their report gives Pakistani nuclear security an overall score of 46 on a 100-point scale, a three-point increase over its rating in the prior version of the NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index, published in 2012.
(Read more Defense One coverage of Pakistan here)
Of the five subcategories rated in the new report, Islamabad made its greatest strides in "security and control measures." In that subcategory, Pakistan received nine more points than it did two years ago, bringing its total score in the area to 40 points.
"It is now possible to score Pakistan ... on the basis of its publicly available regulations," the report states, noting that the score accounts for details the country released on its physical protection requirements for atomic sites after the 2012 index went public.  
Pakistani law cites U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission dictates as applicable in those cases where Pakistan’s own regulations have not been spelled out. However, since U.S. law does not apply within Pakistan’s borders, the assessment does not credit Islamabad for what the authors called an "unenforceable" approach.
Pakistan gained six points for improvements in its "risk environment," but even with that uptick the nation scored just 19 out of 100 in this appraisal area. Report authors described the score as a rating of "prospects for political instability over the next two years, effective governance, levels of corruption among public officials, and the presence of groups interested in and capable of illicitly acquiring nuclear materials."
A number of possible nuclear arms-storage sites in Pakistan have faced attack in recent years, including an air force base subjected to an hours-long assault in August 2012. Such incidents have brought intense international attention to bear on the security of Islamabad's growing nuclear stockpile, which is currently estimated at between 90 and 110 nuclear warheads.
The nuclear-security index references the "pervasiveness of corruption" in Pakistan as another area of concern. Last week, the detained head of an India-based Islamic terror group was reported to have sought to acquire a nuclear bomb from inside Pakistan, and cited his boss's counsel that "anything can be arranged" there.
Looking at developments around the world since 2012, analysts said most or all bomb-capable material has been removed from seven nations: Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Mexico, Sweden, Ukraine, and Vietnam. None of those countries currently holds a full kilogram of nuclear material, according to the report.
Of the nations still in possession of at least that threshold quantity, Australia received the top-ranking score of 92 for its overall nuclear-security practices. The United States tied with the United Kingdom for 11th place.
The report's authors pressed for the creation of "a global nuclear materials security system that will cover all materials, that will employ international standards and best practices, and that will reduce risks by reducing weapons-usable nuclear material stocks and the number of locations where they are found."
The document urges that international leaders discuss this recommendation at the Hague nuclear security confab in late March.
"Leaders should use the opportunity of the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands to work toward consensus on the key principles of a global nuclear security system," the analysts wrote.

http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2014/01/pakistan-named-most-improved-nuclear-security/76484/?oref=d-channelriver

   R.I.P

Citation :

PAF aircraft crashes, pilot, co-pilot killed

A training aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) crashed in a Mandi Bahauddin village on Thursday.

According to PAF spokesman, pilot and a co-pilot lost their lives in the incident that occurred in the Farrukhpur village.

The deceased were identified as Wing Commander M Jamal and Flying officer Saad Suleman. The unlucky training jet took its flight from PAF Sargodha Airbase Mushaf and met the accident due to technical glitches.

A board has been formed for further investigation about Mirage fighter aircraft’s incident, he added.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk

Mirage 5

Magnifique.  

Il en a de la gueule.

Le ministre de la défense du Pakistan, pays frère est en visite en Turquie pour 6 jours.. On parle de transfert de technologie avec l'achat de beaucoup de produits..

Petite note: La carte dans la salle du ministre de la défense turc montre l'intérêt de la Turquie vers notre région.

Citation :

Turkey, Pakistan pledge to further promote defence cooperation

ISLAMABAD, Jan 30 (APP): Turkey and Pakistan have pledged to intensify efforts for further promoting their defence cooperation besides discussing proposals for transfer of technology, possibility of export of defence equipments and service. This pledge was made during talks between visiting Federal Defence Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain with his Turkish counterpart Ismet Yilmaz in Ankara.  Both the ministers led their respective delegations in talks, said a message received here on Thursday.
Rana Tanveer Hussain is visiting Turkey from Jan 28 to February 3 at the invitation of Turkish Defence Minister.
The Defence Production Minister briefed the hosts about the initiatives and progress made by Pakistan in defence production sector.
The two sides renewed the commitment to work towards exploring opportunities for joint ventures.
They discussed progress on the ongoing defence projects, including midlife upgradation of F-16 fighter aircraft of Pakistan at Turkish Aerospace Industries.  
Upon his arrival at the Turkish defence ministry, Rana Tanveer Hussain was warmly received by the Turkish defence minister, who introduced him to his senior officers present on the occasion.
Later, both the ministers also discussed matters pertaining to further boosting defence ties and construction of Logistics Support Ship for Pakistan Navy by STM of Turkey at Karachi Shipyard.
In his meeting with Murad Bayar, head of the Undersecretariat for the Turkish Defence Industry, Rana Tanveer expressed the hope that like in the past, Turkish defence industry would showcase its products and participate in the forthcoming International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) being held in Pakistan from December 1 to 4.

http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=263260&Itemid=1

Citation :

China, Pakistan set for submarine deal by end of year, say officials




Pakistan could sign a deal to buy up to six submarines from China before the end of 2014, senior Pakistani government officials have told IHS Jane's .
A Pakistani government minister revealed in March 2011 that China had offered to sell up to six submarines to Pakistan although he did not specify details of the boats on offer. Western officials in Islamabad suggest that China's subsequent international marketing of the 'S20' or Yuan-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) suggests it could be a potential option for Pakistan.
A senior Pakistani government official told IHS Jane's that "the technical details are almost done. The present discussions are mainly about the financing details". A second Pakistani government official confirmed that "the contract is in an advanced stage and discussions will not linger on for too long. Realistically, we should have a deal by end 2014".
The submarine contract would further cement China's rapidly growing role as the main supplier of military hardware to Pakistan's armed forces and fill an important gap in Pakistan Navy (PN) capabilities. The PN is known to operate five French submarines: three Agosta 90B (Khalid-class) submarines purchased in the 1990s and two ageing Agosta 70 (Hashmat-class) boats dating from the late 1970s. In 2009, the PN sought to purchase three German-built Type 214 submarines, but the plan was put on hold due to costs that at the time were reported to be in excess of USD2 billion.
Recent Sino-Pakistan contracts of potential interest to Islamabad's strategic interests include China's agreement to provide two large civil nuclear reactors to be based close to Karachi. According to Pakistani officials China's Eximbank agreed to extend a USD6.5 billion loan for the two reactors.
Additionally, the Sino-Pakistani-built JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft is reportedly the subject of talks between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: a potential deal that Western officials said would not be discussed without Beijing's explicit consent.
COMMENT
A Sino-Pakistan submarine contract will be closely watched by Western officials for any signs that may suggest progression towards nuclear-powered boats. Pakistan's defence planners consider the absence of such a platform - which they would eventually want to see armed with submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missiles - as major disadvantage in a potential conflict with India.
However, Western officials believe China will hesitate to extend such advanced technology to Pakistan given the potential for a harsh reaction from the United States and its allies.



http://www.janes.com/article/33315/china-pakistan-set-for-submarine-deal-by-end-of-year-say-officials

Citation :

China, Pakistan set for submarine deal by end of year, say officials

Pakistan could sign a deal to buy up to six submarines from China before the end of 2014, senior Pakistani government officials have told IHS Jane's .

A Pakistani government minister revealed in March 2011 that China had offered to sell up to six submarines to Pakistan although he did not specify details of the boats on offer. Western officials in Islamabad suggest that China's subsequent international marketing of the 'S20' or Yuan-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) suggests it could be a potential option for Pakistan.

A senior Pakistani government official told IHS Jane's that "the technical details are almost done. The present discussions are mainly about the financing details". A second Pakistani government official confirmed that "the contract is in an advanced stage and discussions will not linger on for too long. Realistically, we should have a deal by end 2014".

The submarine contract would further cement China's rapidly growing role as the main supplier of military hardware to Pakistan's armed forces and fill an important gap in Pakistan Navy (PN) capabilities. The PN is known to operate five French submarines: three Agosta 90B (Khalid-class) submarines purchased in the 1990s and two ageing Agosta 70 (Hashmat-class) boats dating from the late 1970s. In 2009, the PN sought to purchase three German-built Type 214 submarines, but the plan was put on hold due to costs that at the time were reported to be in excess of USD2 billion.

Recent Sino-Pakistan contracts of potential interest to Islamabad's strategic interests include China's agreement to provide two large civil nuclear reactors to be based close to Karachi. According to Pakistani officials China's Eximbank agreed to extend a USD6.5 billion loan for the two reactors.

Additionally, the Sino-Pakistani-built JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft is reportedly the subject of talks between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: a potential deal that Western officials said would not be discussed without Beijing's explicit consent.
COMMENT

A Sino-Pakistan submarine contract will be closely watched by Western officials for any signs that may suggest progression towards nuclear-powered boats. Pakistan's defence planners consider the absence of such a platform - which they would eventually want to see armed with submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missiles - as major disadvantage in a potential conflict with India.

However, Western officials believe China will hesitate to extend such advanced technology to Pakistan given the potential for a harsh reaction from the United States and its allies.

http://www.janes.com

le financement saoud se dévoile alors 3ou9ba lina

Citation :

Thunder Resonates as Modernization Inches Forward in Pakistan


ISLAMABAD — Financial difficulties aside, Pakistan is modernizing its air power mainly through investing in the critical JF-17 Thunder program. But the Chengdu J-10B/FC-20 order is less certain.

With a funding crunch, the Pakistan Air Force “will concentrate most resources on JF-17 to ensure its success and further development,” said Usman Shabbir, with the Pakistan Military Consortium think tank.

Last year, the Air Force admitted modernization efforts under the Armed Forces Development Plan 2025 had gone unfunded since 2007. However, Pakistan secured a Chinese loan to keep JF-17 production on track. No details, including the amount of the loan, have been made public.

Production of the second block of 50 began in December. With 50 jets in service, Pakistan’s requirement is for up to 250 planes to replace its Mirage and F-7 aircraft. It already has replaced the A-5C Fantan strike fighter with two squadrons.

The Block II JF-17 has improved avionics, weapons load and carriage capability, a data link and an electronic warfare suite, plus an in-flight refueling capability, but officials are reluctant to give specific details.

A spokesperson for the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), which jointly manufactures the JF-17 with China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, would say only that the avionics suite is a “mixed package” and has been contracted.

Shabbir said he believes the NRIET KLJ-7 X-band radar will have been retained for the Block I/II aircraft, and standoff weapons such as the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile, H-2/H-4 glide bomb and Mectron MAR-1 anti-radiation missile might also have been integrated onto the Block II jets.

Multiple ejector racks will make up for a lack of additional weapon store stations, and a dedicated designator pod station could be added later underneath the plane’s port intake.

No JF-17 has been seen carrying a designator pod, but a Chinese type will likely enter service, even though Shabbir said the Pakistan Air Force’s Air Weapons Complex “has also developed one in collaboration with a European firm.”

Which firm is unknown, but PAC collaborates with European companies such as Selex ES and Sagem.

Shabbir said the addition of a separate forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor is unlikely, and those fitted to Mirage 5s would not be “recycled” because “the FLIR-equipped [retrofit of strike element-III] Mirages will soldier on for many years as they are specialist night attack aircraft.”

Further avionics improvements will probably wait until Block III production begins in 2016, with an active electronically scanned array radar variant of the KLJ-7, he said. But “so far, Block III is just conceptual, and even though PAF/PAC and CATIC [China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp.] agree on broad terms what capabilities Block III should offer, the design is not finalized,” Shabbir said.

The importance to Pakistan aside, for CATIC, the FC-1/JF-17 is an export program that has yet to secure an order and become profitable. Production lines in both countries are underutilized. PAC produces 18 aircraft a year but has a capacity of 25.

This has caused some friction, as the Pakistan Air Force wants to meet its requirements before concentrating on exports.

Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow for Military Aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said he believes China could influence exports as “a Chinese purchase of the aircraft, even if only in token numbers, would also bolster its credentials.

“There’s no obvious reason why the Chengdu JF-17 should not be a credible contender in a number of markets where a more capable combat aircraft is either unaffordable or unavailable, particularly in some African and possibly Middle Eastern states looking to replace legacy types with a low-cost platform,” he said.

Barrie highlighted the “reasonable selection of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons,” and said the air-to-air SD-10/PL-12, a beyond-visual-range missile, is a “credible weapon.”
J-10 Purchases

A Pakistan Air Force purchase of the FC-20/J-10B, while attention focuses on JF-17 exports, would therefore be favorable, Shabbir said. However, the status of the deal is uncertain and there is thought to be a discussion within the Pakistan Air Force as to its fate.

The country’s Defence Ministry would not comment on the matter, and the Air Force has not responded to queries.

Shabbir said the order “was always planned to be signed in the 2014-2015 time frame.” A reported US $1.4 billion agreement was negotiated for 36 FC-20/J-10B aircraft in 2009, with reports at the time claiming they would enter service around 2014 or 2015, but that date has slipped.

However, “if money becomes an issue and if the [Indian Air Force] does not go for the Rafale [fighter jet], it is possible that the [Pakistan Air Force] might drop the FC-20 plan and invest even more resources into the JF-17 project, along with buying more used F-16s and bringing them to Block 52 standard,” he said.

Former Air Force pilot and analyst Kaiser Tufail said, “Purely from a political standpoint, it would be wise for the [Air Force] to diversify its source of advanced fighters of the F-16C class. China is an obvious reliable source and the FC-20 is a possible candidate, though my personal assessment is that overall, it is not as advanced as the F-16C [Block 50/52].”

Yet he still believes ordering the FC-20/J-10B could benefit the JF-17.

“I think that later JF-17 Blocks III and IV could possibly have avionics systems commonality with the FC-20, as these would have been tried and tested systems on the latter aircraft,” he said.

Though Tufail admitted the possibility of speculating too far, “since the specifications and airframe configuration of the later JF-17 Block III and IV is not at all clear, it would be futile to speculate if hardware other than avionics systems could find commonality with the FC-20,” he said.

Similarly, Tufail said he’s uncertain whether a Chinese stealth jet would be a better option than the FC-20/J-10B, as “the full performance capabilities of the Chinese stealth aircraft are not known as yet and on this account, it may be premature to draw up a wish list.”

http://www.defensenews.com

Citation :

Pakistan to buy Yuan-class submarines

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Commentator Farhan Bokhari says that Pakistan later this year will buy six Yuan-class submarines from China.
Bokhari is a Pakistani political commentator based in the capital Islamabad.
The Yuan-class boats are diesel-electric submarines, and the export version is known as the S20, the China Times News Group reported on Thursday.
The China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Corp. (CSOC) builds the S20. CSOC exhibited the S20 at the Abu Dhabi NAVDEX 2013 international naval equipment exhibition in February 2013 and again a month later at the March 2013 Malaysia LIMA-2013 international aviation and naval equipment exhibition.
Chinese officials said the S-20 was not developed in order to meet domestic needs, but specifically for the international export market. Analysts believed that China's highlighting its Yuan-class S-20s is likely driven by heightened competition from Russian and European diesel-electric submarine builders given potential sales to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The Yuan emerged in 2004 and since then about seven or eight have been launched for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). In 2010 the U.S. Department of Defense estimated that up to 15 would be built.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/02/14/Report-Pakistan-to-buy-Yuan-class-submarines/UPI-44311392354300/

Citation :

PAF acquires F-16s from Jordan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has acquired one squadron of F-16 multi-role fighter aircraft from Jordan and 13 F-16s will be inducted into the service next month.

With this, the strength of PAF F-16s will reach 76. The fighter aircraft have been purchased from Jordan and they were in the use of the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF).

The deal has already been finalised and inked by both the countries. The 13 aircraft are of F-16 A/B Block-15 and the PAF has similar aircraft in its fleet which are flying satisfactorily. The deal about 12 A models and one B model aircraft has been authenticated by the manufacturing company and the US government has also given its nod for the sale/purchase of the planes.

Well-placed defence sources told The News here the other day that the purchased aircraft were in good condition since they had attained Mid-Life Update (MLU) and they would be providing service for another 20 years with almost 3,000 hours on average available to them for flying.

They have been modified into Air Defence Fighters (ADF) versions. The Ogden Air Logistics Centre performed structural upgrades to extend the aircraft life from the designed 4,000 to 8,000 hours flying time as part of the programme. They also modified the aircraft engine bay for the upgraded Pratt and Whitney F100-220E engine. The induction of the planes will give a boost in air power to the PAF that is rendering a remarkable service in the war against terror.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt, visited Jordan last year for pursuing the sale of the aircraft. He and officials concerned of the countries had hectic discussion about the sale/purchase and delivery deal.

The sources have declined to give the details of the amount involved in the deal but they have claimed that it has been transparent and it would be made public next month just before the delivery of the F-16s.

However, it is understood that the used planes are cost-effective and could provide service for a fairly longer period of time. Pakistan is also contemplating to acquire more used planes for the PAF from some other countries while the induction of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, co-production of Pakistan and China, e is also underway simultaneously, the sources said.

http://www.thenews.com.pk

Citation :

Exelis to supply Pakistan with more components for electronic warfare systems

CLIFTON, N.J., Feb. 25, 2014 – Exelis (NYSE: XLS) has received $9 million from the U.S. Air Force to supply spare components for electronic warfare (EW) technology provided to Pakistan under an existing contract.

The original contract, awarded in December 2011, granted Exelis $53 million to supply Pakistan with ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) systems to protect the country’s F-16 fighter aircraft from radio frequency threats. The additional funds provide for the manufacture and delivery of a range of spare AIDEWS components, following successful development and integration flight-testing phases.

“The AIDEWS pod offers dependable protection against a range of dynamic electronic threats,” said Joe Rambala, vice president and general manager of the Exelis integrated electronic warfare systems business area. “Working with U.S. and allied customers to stay ahead of emerging threats has helped make Exelis a global electronic warfare leader, and we remain committed to advancing this critical mission.”

The AIDEWS components will be produced at the Exelis Electronic Systems (ES) facility in Clifton, N.J., with deliveries expected to be complete in 2016. ES is the lead division for the company’s electronic warfare strategic growth platform and provides advanced, integrated EW solutions to protect and enable customers to perform their critical missions.

http://www.exelisinc.com

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China to sell helicopters to Pakistan: Mamnoon

KARACHI: President Mamnoon Hussain here on Monday said that China would sell helicopters to Pakistan and these would prove to be an effective tool in the war against terrorism. He said that China would also supply submarines to Pakistan.

Talking to media representatives during an interactive session at the State Guest House, Mamnoon Hussain said that he had a detailed discussion on the Karachi situation with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and he intended to have a similar meeting with the chief minister.He said that China would soon start work on the Lahore-Karachi Motorway. China would purchase the JF-17 Thunder aircraft from Pakistan for its air force.“This will increase the demand for our aircraft in the international market,” he said.

He informed the media that China wanted to make investment in many projects in Pakistan. The investment by China will also create employment opportunities here. He said the Chinese authorities showed their concern over the security of the Chinese working in Pakistan and he assured a better security cover to the Chinese friends.

Mamnoon Hussain said that he had discussed the issue with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and suggested forming a special force to provide foolproof security to the Chinese.He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was committed to restoring peace and security in the city and the government was making the best possible efforts on this account.

However, he said certain political expediencies at local level were impeding the ongoing targeted operation in the city. He said that ensuring peace and security in the country and strengthening the economy were the top priorities of the government. Improving the law and order situation in Karachi is essential for the revival and growth of the country’s economy, he maintained.

He said that Karachi had become a sanctuary of terrorists and other criminals because it had around 20 million population and more than 500 katchi abadis. Had the law enforcing agencies taken it seriously and reacted strongly, these Abadis would not have emerged, he said.

Mamnoon Hussain said that the social and economic issues and challenges facing Pakistan these days and the low scale of development were caused by repeated derailing of democracy or creating hurdles in the democratic process over the last 66 years. “In India, the democratic process smoothly moved on and as a result, national institutions strengthened and flourished there. This contributed a lot to the development process of the country,” he remarked.

The president described his visit to China as successful. He declared the Sino-Pak Economic Corridor as a unique project of the present century, which was being executed with the cooperation of China. Not only Pakistan and China but the Central Asia and the entire Europe will benefit from the mega project.

Later, the corridor will be expanded to Karachi from Gwadar. He said two nuclear power plants being set up in Karachi in cooperation with China would generate 2,200MW electricity daily. Three more such plants will be set up in other areas of the country. To a question, he said Pakistan wanted good relations with all the other countries, including the US and neighbouring countries.

Mamnoon said that he was the chancellor of 17 universities of the country and he would be working for the promotion of quality education and for better health facilities in every nook and corner of the country. He said that he was personally taking interest and supporting the anti-polio campaign in the country to overcome this menace at the earliest.

www.thenews.com.p

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WASHINGTON, Mar 11, 2014 - The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for a C-130 Fleet Upgrade Program and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $100 million.

The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of C-130B/E avionics upgrades, engine management and mechanical upgrades, cargo delivery system installation, and replacement of outer wing sets on six aircraft. Also included are spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $100 million...

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/pakistan-c-130-fleet-upgrade-program

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Pakistan Already Has US-Made MRAPs, New Deal in Works 




WASHINGTON — While controversy swirls over reports that Pakistan may receive some of the excess Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles that the United States has sitting in Afghanistan, American and Pakistani officials are on the verge of completing a deal to send new and excess MRAPs to Islamabad, Defense News has learned.
The 160 vehicles, all of which would be the MaxxPro MRAP variant made by US manufacturer Navistar, would be a mix of new builds and some from US Army prepositioned stocks in Kuwait, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who is not authorized to speak for attribution.
While no formal notification of the deal has yet been sent to Congress since the last stages of the vetting process are still being completed, the official expected a notification to head to Capitol Hill by the end of this month.
The spat over the potential MRAP sale began in March when the Washington Post reported that the United States was considering giving Pakistan some MRAPs that the US didn’t want to pay to ship home once the mission in Afghanistan draws to a close. The report came at the same time as Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, commander of the coalition and US Forces in Afghanistan, said there are more than 1,200 excess MRAPs in country.
For a while, US forces were literally shredding to bits the hulking MRAP infantry carriers that it doesn’t want to pay to bring home, but Dunford has since put a halt to that program while final decisions on the ultimate fate of the fleet are being made.
The holdup on the deal for the 160 MRAPs centers around a congressionally mandated human rights vetting process that all US foreign training and equipping programs must undergo.
Known as the “Leahy Amendment” after the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the law stipulates that US forces cannot train or equip foreign military or police units that have been accused of human rights abuses.
The 160 MRAPs would be split among the branches of the Pakistani armed forces. Although specific army and air force units have been identified and vetted, the Pakistani Navy has yet to submit all of the required information, according to the official.
While it hasn’t been reported previously, the Pakistani armed forces have already been supplied with 22 MRAPs — 20 MaxxPro’s along with two “haulers” to move them if damaged — under a now-canceled State Department program known as the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund. The vehicles were drawn out of the US Army’s existing stock in Kuwait.
The fund was axed in the US government’s fiscal 2014 budget.
The State Department and the US Embassy in Islamabad have been tying themselves in rhetorical knots over the past week trying to explain the situation over the potential MRAP transfer, all without giving specifics or mentioning the MRAPs already sent to Pakistan or the deal currently in the works.
On March 31, the Islamabad embassy issued a statement confirming that Pakistan has requested “a variety of Excess Defense Articles (EDA). The U.S. is currently reviewing Pakistan’s request.” In what appears to be a nod to the pending deal, the embassy added that “if approved, this EDA is likely to be sourced from U.S. stock outside Afghanistan.”
The State Department weighs EDA requests on a “case-by-case basis taking into consideration a range of factors including the need of potential recipients, regional security dynamics, how the recipient nations intend to use the equipment and the ability of an EDA recipient to sustain the equipment,” the embassy said.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140402/DEFREG02/304020026/Source-Pakistan-Already-Has-US-Made-MRAPs-New-Deal-Works?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p