Armée Pakistanaise / Pakistani Armed Forces (PAF)

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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

Citation :

Army trainer aircraft crashes near Gujranwala killing pilots




GUJRANWALA: A Mushak trainer aircraft belonging to the Army Aviation crashed near Gujranwala killing both of its occupants on Tuesday.

The two-seater ne crashed due to a technical fault developed during a training mission, according to an Inter Services Public relations (ISPR) statement which added that both the pilots onboard the plane had died in the incident.

The statement further said that an inquiry had been ordered into the incident.

The Mushak aircraft is a small aircraft which is not equipped with ejector seats.

plahttp://www.dawn.com

Citation :

Pakistan to buy six submarines from China: Russian media





Pakistan is planning to purchase six conventional submarines from China as a way to counter the influence of expanding Indian maritime power, the Military-Industrial Courier, a Russian-language website focused on global defense issues reported on April 3.
Rana Tanveer Hussain, Pakistan's minister of defense production, is currently visiting Beijing to discuss the purchase of submarines from China, according to information released by the Pakistani government. Reports have circulated that Islamabad will sign a contract with Beijing before the end of the year to introduce six Type 041 Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines, to be constructed at either the Wuhan or Jiangnan shipyard.
However, some experts say that the submarines will be S20s, the export version of the Type 041. The only difference between the Type 041 and the S20 is that the latter does not have the former's air-independent propulsion system. If Pakistan chooses to order the air-independent propulsion system separately from China, it can still be easily integrated into the submarine due to the modular design of the S20.
Though China has not specified the types of weapon systems with which the S20 can be equipped, the Global Times published under the auspices of the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily stated that a variety of sensors and weapons can also be easily incorporated on request. The Chinese delegation also discussed with Hussain the establishment of a shipyard in Pakistan to be run jointly by the two nations. Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works may be chosen by Beijing to design submarines due to its previous experience in reproducing Chinese vessels.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1101&MainCatID=11&id=20140411000017

Citation :

Pakistan navy deploys Chinese C-602 cruise missile




Frontline units of the Pakistani navy have been equipped with C-602 anti-ship cruise missiles purchased from China, according to the Kanwa Defense Review published by Andrei Chang, also known as Pinkov, a Canadian a military analyst.
Pakistan ordered about 120 C-602 anti-ship cruise missiles from China back in 2009. The first batch of the missiles, enough to equip a company, were delivered in 2011. After personnel completed training on using the missiles, the Pakistani government said that the C-602s have already been deployed to frontline naval units. The missiles were purchased to provide a countermeasure to India's BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which has a range of 290 kilometers.
The anti-ship cruise missiles have an estimated range of 280 km with a speed of 0.8 mach. As Islamabad is discussing allowing the military to employ the civilian version of China's Beidou Navigation System for use on the battlefield, Kanwa Defense Review said that the accuracy of the C-602 can be increased gradually if a deal is made between the two countries. Pakistan is currently the only foreign operator of the C-602.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140411000030&cid=1101

Citation :

US Congress Stymies Pakistani Naval Modernization Efforts




ISLAMABAD — Despite close defense ties with China, Pakistan still relies on the US to help it upgrade key defense areas. However, hostility from US lawmakers has effectively halted progress in some areas with Pakistan’s Navy particularly hard hit.
For a decade Pakistan’s Navy has pinned hopes on acquiring surplus US Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates to replace its six now 40-year-old ex-British Type-21 frigates. This met with some success when the Perry-class frigate McInerney was renamed Alamgir and transferred in 2011.
However, three proposed for Pakistan last fall have effectively been blocked as the proposed bill continues to languish in committee without being put to the full US Senate.
Neither Pakistan’s Defense Ministry nor the Navy replied to any request for comment on the issues surrounding the Perry acquisition plans.
Former Australian defense attache to Islamabad, Brian Cloughley, said conditions attached to their transfer “were deliberately made impossible.”
These were linked to cooperating with the US on counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, not supporting terrorism against US force in Afghanistan or elsewhere, releasing Shakil Afridi, who helped the CIA find Osama bin Laden, moving to dismantle IED networks, allowing humanitarian groups access to detainees, and ensuring Pakistan’s military and intelligence services do not interfere in judicial and political processes.
“Obviously there can be no certification about ‘taking steps to dismantle improvised explosive device networks’, just to pick one condition. This is a farce,” Cloughley added.
Cloughley said such actions, which he describes as “one more example of a totally dysfunctional Congress,” are seriously harming Washington’s relations with other nations, and leaving Pakistan with no options.
“The [Pakistan Navy] is going to suffer, as I don’t think there will be approval for such a transfer. Alamgir is a good training ship, but that’s about all,” he said.
The ship lacks ASW helicopters, missiles and a towed array sonar, effectively making it little more than a long-range patrol vessel.
Analyst Usman Shabbir said that essentially, Pakistan’s only alternative is turning to China.
“The only reasonable option seems to be more F-22P frigates. The Type-21s are well past their prime and need to be retired yesterday,” he said.
However, though an agreement was reached with China for an improved batch of F-22P frigates in 2012, no deal has yet been signed.
The main sticking point is likely financial, because unlike the transfer of Perry frigates, Chinese warships would still have to be paid for.
However, the latest International Monetary Fund figures show Pakistan is unlikely to be able to make a dent in paying off its debt, and Islamabad last week borrowed $2 billion only by accepting excessive interest rates. According to figures from the State Bank of Pakistan, the national debt grew during the first eight months of the fiscal year, and other predictions have debt remaining at 62.4 percent of GDP for FY2014-FY2015.
Thus even the Chinese option looks unlikely, and so the damage done by the non-transfer of the Perry frigates is all the more obvious.
Claude Rakisits, director at Politact, a Washington-based advisory firm that focuses on South Asian issues, says Congress has effectively hamstrung the administration in this case.
“I suspect that it would be politically difficult for the Obama administration to bypass Congress on this issue given that only a couple of weeks ago the House Committee on Foreign Affairs decided to cut $10 million from its aid budget to Pakistan [under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman act 2009] to pay for the aid Congress wants to give to Ukraine,” he said.
“While that only represents about 0.6 percent of the annual US aid to Pakistan, it does show that Pakistan is not a top priority and that the focus is beginning to shift away from that region as the US continues to draw down in Afghanistan,” he added.
He also highlights that until recently, at least, there was the possibility of transfer of surplus US mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles to Pakistan.
“While a final decision has yet to be taken; it would appear that this option is fast losing popularity in Washington. It would appear that Pakistan being a Major Non-NATO Ally since 2004 doesn’t mean too much in the Obama administration these days.”

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140417/DEFREG03/304170028/US-Congress-Stymies-Pakistani-Naval-Modernization-Efforts

Citation :

Pakistan test-fires nuke-capable missile



Pakistan's military says it has successfully test-fired a short-range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The military said in a statement that the missile codenamed 'Ghaznavi' was launched from an undisclosed location on Tuesday and has a range of 290 kilometers.

Army spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa also said the test was conducted during a field training exercise supervised by top military commanders.

"The test-firing was another milestone which has further strengthened the defense potential of Pakistan," media outlets quoted the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Rashad Mahmood as saying.

Pakistani military routinely test various missiles to match those of India.

Pakistani authorities have frequently reiterated that nuclear deterrence is the basis of the country's security policy and that they have no intention of using the missiles aggressively.

India and Pakistan have routinely carried out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998. The two neighbors have engaged in an arms race since the partition of Pakistan from India in 1947.

Both neighbors have refused to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and other international regulatory pacts that restrict developing or testing nuclear weapons.

India considers the NPT as discriminatory, while Pakistan has indicated that it will not join the international treaty until its neighbor does so.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars with its nuclear-armed neighbor India since their independence from Britain in 1947.

JR/PR/SL

www.presstv.i

Citation :

Pakistan Navy to shift submarines from Karachi to Ormara


The Pakistan Navy is in the process of shifting primary operations and naval assets, including its entire fleet of diesel-electric submarines (SSKs), from Karachi to the Jinnah Naval Base in Ormara.
According to statements made by a top navy official on 22 April, the shift came about due to increasing amount of commercial marine traffic into Karachi and the extent of marine pollution surrounding the city.
"The coast has become saturated with too much commercial activity and restricts the movement of navy ships and machinery", said Pakistan Navy's Commander for Coastal Areas, Real Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini. "Also, the water is so polluted that it makes our ships and other machinery expire at least ten to 15 years prematurely.

http://www.janes.com/article/36959/pakistan-navy-to-shift-submarines-from-karachi-to-ormara

Citation :

Five F-16 aircraft added to PAF’s fighter fleet



SARGODHA: A first batch of five F-16 fighters was added to fleet of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Sunday.

Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt said that addition of new fighter aircrafts would increase the capacity of air force.

The PAF chief was speaking at the PAF Base Mushaf in Sargodha where the force received its first batch of five F-16 fighter jets from Jordan.

The air chief said that PAF was fully prepared for an operation against the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He said that 13 used PAF jets were purchased from Jordan due to financial constraints.

The fighter jets are in good condition, the chief said in his address, adding that the air force is fully equipped to combat militants. – SAMAA

http://www.samaa.tv

Citation :

Pak submarine joins naval drills in Jubail

The Pakistani Navy submarine Hamza docked at the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Base in Jubail where both navies conducted joint exercises on May 6 and May 11. Following its arrival, several meetings were held on a number of professional matters including the combat capabilities of the two navies.
Commander of the Eastern Fleet of the Saudi Royal Navy Rear Admiral Ibrahim Maghloos also visited submarine Hamza in Jubail.
Commander Syed Sajjad Hussain and other Pakistani naval officers including the Saudi navies welcomed the Commander of the Saudi Eastern Fleet. The Pak Navy submarine Hamza is the first indigenously constructed submarine of the Pakistan Navy equipped with the MESMA AIP system. The submarine was constructed by PN Dockyard in collaboration with DCNS of France. Hamza was successfully launched on Aug. 10, 2006 by the president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and commissioned on Sept. 26, 2008 by the prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The induction of Hamza in the PNS submarine Force has added a new dimension to conventional submarines operations. Hamza has safely and smoothly conducted maximum endurance operations of MESMA at sea. The PN Submarine Force with this state-of-the-art platform has gained a unique capability of enhanced submerged endurance as compared to the navies of the region. The submarine by virtue of its propulsion system, weapons and sensor outfit, equipment efficiency, stealth and well-knitted crew is a platform to reckon with and is fully capable of undertaking a variety of missions

http://www.arabnews.com

Citation :

Pakistan could take additional Jordanian F-16s



Pakistan could acquire more Jordanian Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B Block 15 aircraft, as it prepares to receive the final two examples of the current deal for 13 aircraft.

An air force spokesman says the number of F-16’s could increase, but did not provide specific numbers.

From late April, Pakistan has received 11 former Jordanian F-16s. The arrival of the last two aircraft is expected soon, says the spokesman.

Pakistan decided to acquire used aircraft, as opposed to new ones, owing to budgetary concerns.

Based on Flightglobal’s World Air Force’s directory, the deal reduces Jordan’s F-16 fleet to 29 examples, and boosts Pakistan’s to 50.

Media reports from Pakistan quote air force officials saying that on average the airframes still have 3,000 flying hours, and should serve for an additional 20 years.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pakistan-could-take-additional-jordanian-f-16s-399245/

Radar interoperability issue on Pakistani F-16s

Citation :

AIR FORCE

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $7,253,896 modification (P00068) to FA8615-07-C-6032 for F-16 production contracts. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $430,377,045. This modification incorporates a solution to solve a radar interoperability issue affecting F-16 aircraft produced for Pakistan and Thailand under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2016. The contract supports 100 percent foreign military sales for Thailand and Pakistan. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWMK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

http://www.defense.gov

Citation :

Pakistan Seeks Chinese Drones?


A new report says that Pakistan may be seeking Chinese-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

According to a report in the most recent edition of the National Journal, Pakistan has recently unveiled drones that some believe are derived from Chinese drones.

“Already, Pakistan has remote-piloted aircraft,” the report notes. “Islamabad uses surveillance drones to provide the military with a real-time picture of its restive border areas or counterterrorism operations. Pakistan unveiled two new drones in November: Burraq, named after the winged horse from the heavens that transported Islamic prophets, and Shahpar.”

The National Journal report noted that Pakistan had claimed that both drones were domestically built and that neither would be armed. However, the report also points out, citing defense analysts, that the drones bear a close resemblance to the Chinese-made Rainbow CH-3. The Rainbow CH-3 is able to launch missiles.

Pakistan’s desire to acquire armed drones is no secret. It has urged the U.S. to sell it armed drones for years, which Washington has refused to do. The U.S. keeps a tight lock on the export of its armed drones. According to the National Journal report, only the United Kingdom has been sold U.S. armed drones although certain other close U.S. allies—including France and Italy—may soon also fly American drones.

Israel also has armed drones but would be unlikely to export them to Pakistan given U.S. opposition and the fact that Islamabad is a Muslim country that has ties to some of Tel Aviv’s rivals in the Persian Gulf and wider Middle East.

Islamabad’s need for such drones is also clear. Pakistan’s military would almost certainly use the drones to target inward-focused terrorists operating in Pakistan’s far western region. It has been widely reported that the United States has, at times at least, aided in this effort by using its own drones to eliminate targets at the behest of the Pakistani military.

Having its own armed drones would allow Pakistan to intensify this effort, especially given the strong reluctance on the military’s part to execute a larger counterterrorism operation in the tribal areas where most inward-focused terrorists are believed to be taking refuge. Furthermore, Pakistan could use drones in cross-border operations against Afghanistan where some of the Pakistani terrorists could conceivably find sanctuary in the future should they be driven out of the tribal areas by Pakistan’s military.

It’s also not at all unlikely that China would willingly sell Pakistan armed drones. As The Diplomat has previously noted, China is expected to be by far the fastest growing UAV producer over the next five years. Although most of these drones will be destined for the People’s Liberation Army and other domestic users, Beijing has a clear desire to also use its growing drone market to increase defense exports. In fact, as noted earlier this month, China has already sold Saudi Arabia drones.

Moreover, China’s relationship with Pakistan is far stronger than its ties to Saudi Arabia. This is especially true when it comes to arms sales. Indeed, by some estimates, Pakistan purchased some 55 percent of China’s total defense exports between 2008 and 2012. These arm sales most certainly include advanced aircraft. Indeed, one of the largest defense projects between Pakistan and China is their joint development of the FC-1 Xiaolong/JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jet, which Islamabad hopes to begin exporting as early as this year.

Therefore, although the report remains unconfirmed at this point, it would be surprising if China didn’t sell Pakistan armed drones in the coming years.

http://thediplomat.com

Citation :

F-16 planes from Jordan included in PAF fleet



SARGODHA: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday organized a formal ceremony to include F-16 fighter jets from Jordan Air Force into the national forces fleet here at Sargodha Airbase.

The fighter jets arrived from Pakistan’s middle-eastern friendly country Jordan and were included in PAF Nineteenth Squad.

The fighter aircraft have been purchased from Jordan and they were in the use of the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF).

The ceremony started with the recitation of Holy Quran, Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif was the chief guest of the ceremony.

Air Chief Marahal Tahir Rafique Butt, said that, we were thank full to Jordan Air force for giving F-16 fighter jets, “We are capable of taking down any internal or external challenge put in front of us”, he added.

Chief guest Gernal Raheel Sharif said, “I congratulate Pakistan Air force on this achievement”, we will stand side by side with Pakistan Air force to face any challenge, he added.

http://www.thenewstribe.com

Citation :

Russia Lifts Embargo on Weapons Sales to Pakistan

Russia has lifted an embargo on weapons deliveries to Pakistan and is negotiating the sale of a number of Mi-35 attack helicopters to Islamabad, Sergei Chemezov, head of state-owned technology corporation Rostec, told Itar-Tass on Monday.

The potential delivery of weapons and military hardware to Pakistan from Moscow could create tension between Russia and India, which has a long-standing rivalry with neighboring Pakistan. Historically, Russia has sold more weaponry to India — Russia delivered just 70 Mi-17 transport helicopters to Pakistan from 1996 to 2010.

In 2012, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees the defense industry, seemingly took offense to Indian journalists asking him whether Moscow could supply Pakistan with weapons in future.

Russia "always cooperates with India to ensure safety in the region. We have never created problems for India, unlike other countries. If someone says differently, spit in their face," Rogozin said, Vedomosti reported.

Boris Volkhonsky, head of the Asian sector of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, said Monday that although India has always tended to react badly to the idea of arms being supplied to Pakistan, he doesn't expect collaboration between Moscow and Islamabad to cause problems.

"I do not think that India will have any objections. After all, India and Pakistan both buy weapons from the U.S., and this has not bothered them," Volkhonsky told RIA Novosti.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com

RIP    

Citation :

Publié le 4 Juin 2014 par Loïc

Un Mirage s'écrase au Pakistan, tuant les pilotes et un civil  



Alors que le gouvernement pakistanais mène régulièrement des opérations contre des rebelles talibans qui sévissent dans le pays, et que la Force Aérienne Pakistanaise reçoit petit à petit des F-16 pour améliorer sa flotte aérienne, un avion de chasse s'est écrasé hier Mardi 03 Juin.

Le pilote et le co-pilote qui se trouvaient dans le Mirage, se sont écrasés dans un district de la plus grande ville du Pakistan, Karachi, au Sud du pays. L'appareil, avec à son bord les deux aviateurs qui n'ont pas eu le temps de s'éjecter, s'est écrasé à proximité d'une station où sont entreposés des bus. La perte de cet appareil a causé la mort d'un civil au sol, plusieurs personnes ont été blessées, et des bus ont également pris feu, ce qui a causé des mouvements de panique au sein des habitants, selon les médias locaux.

Le porte-paroles de la Force Aérienne Pakistanaise a indiqué que le problème pourrait venir d'une défaillance du réacteur de l'appareil qui, rappelons-le, ne possède qu'un seul moteur. Le militaire a ajouté qu'une enquête a été ouverte pour déterminer au mieux les causes de l'accident, alors que le Mirage allait se poser sur la base aérienne de Masroor, et qu'il rentrait d'une mission d'entraînement de routine. Cette base jouxte avec la ville de Karachi, ainsi que les quartiers pauvres qui entourent et qui prospèrent autour de la ville principale.

Bien que le porte-paroles ne précise pas le type de Mirage, il est possible que l'appareil qui s'est écrasé soit un Mirage V. En effet, Masroor abrite, outre le Squadron n°2 équipé de F-7 Chengdu, des Mirage V, du Squadron n°7, 8, et 22, optimisés pour l'attaque au sol, et anti-navire. La Force Aérienne Pakistanaise dispose d'une flotte de 69 Mirage III et 90 Mirage V pour les missions opérationnelles, ainsi que 18 Mirage III et 2 (peut être maintenant 1) Mirage V, utilisés pour la formation des pilotes.

Photo : Un Mirage V monoplace, et un second biplace, de la Force Aérienne Pakistanaise.

http://www.defens-aero.com/2014/06/un-mirage-s-ecrase-au-pakistan-tuant-les-pilotes-et-un-civil.html

Citation :

Armes russes pour le Pakistan: aucun pays tiers n'est visé (Moscou)

http://fr.ria.ru/world/20140604/201427655.html

Citation :

Mi-35 pour le Pakistan !


Moscou, la Russie a levé son embargo sur les livraisons d'armes au Pakistan et négocie la fourniture d'hélicoptères Mi-35. La Russie a engagé des négociations avec ses partenaires pakistanais en vue de la livraison d'hélicoptères Mi-35.
 
Le MIL Mi-35M
 
Le Mi-35M est version modernisée du Mi-35 au niveau de l’avionique, de la motorisation (turbines Klimov VK-2500 de 2’400 chevaux), des capteurs (GOES-342 géostabilisé par exemple) et de l’armement (missiles anti-char AT-6 « Spiral », AT-9 « Spiral-2 » et AT-12 « Ataka », missiles air air SA-18 « Grouse », canon bitubes GSh-23V de 23mm) avec notamment des éléments communs avec l’hélicoptère de combat Mi-28N, comme son rotor et sa transmission. Le poids à vide de l’appareil est réduit à 8,09 tonnes augmentant ses performances. Le Mi-35M est proposé principalement à l’export.

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2014/06/09/mi-35-pour-le-pakistan-856243.html

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Asif hopeful of better ties with Russia, confirms helicopter deal


ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday said Pakistan would improve its bilateral relations with Russian Federation in all fields including trade, economic and defence.

Speaking to media representatives after attending a ceremony to mark the Day of Russia at a local hotel here, he confirmed that Pakistan was interested to buy MI-35 helicopters from Russia.

The defence minister said that Pakistan will buy “such important and useful helicopters besides some “necessary military equipment.”

He said the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has adopted a foreign policy to improve its relations with all the countries, based on mutual respect and honour.

Khawaja Asif said Pakistan will further improve its ties with Russian Federation in future and there will be exchange of delegations at various levels in this regard.

Earlier, a large number of people from different walks of life including diplomats, parliamentarians and journalists attended the reception hosted by Russian ambassador Alexey Dedov.

Defence Minister Asif was the chief guest on the occasion which was also attended by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi.

National anthems of the two countries were played while a cake was cut by the chief guest and Ambassador Dedov along with some other guests.

Special Russian and Pakistani food was served to the guests on the occasion.

Earlier this week, the Russian envoy had said that there was never any ban on the sale of Russian military equipment to Pakistan.

He said, “There is ongoing cooperation with Pakistan in the field of defence and counter-terrorism and security.”

“The proposed deal on supply of MI-35 to Pakistan is still being negotiated between Russian and Pakistani defence officials, and hopefully would be finalised soon,” the ambassador said.

http://www.dawn.com

R.I.P   

Citation :

Two pilots martyred in army helicopter crash

MULTAN: Two pilots were martyred Wednesday when an army helicopter crashed in Multan while carrying out a training exercise, military officials said.


"Two army aviation pilots embraced martyrdom when their helicopter crashed during a night flying training mission due to a technical fault at Multan tonight," the military said in a statement.

A senior military official told that a dust storm that hit the aviation base as the helicopter was taking off could have been a factor in the crash.


The official and the statement did not give the type of helicopter, but army has Russian and American helicopters in its fleet.

http://www.thenews.com.pk

Citation :

 First Block 2 JF-17s under construction in Pakistan

Alan Warnes, Islamabad - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

30 June 2014


Production of the first two of 50 Block 2 JF-17s on order by the Pakistan Air Force is now well under way at the Pakistan
Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. Source: Alan Warnes  

Production of the first two of 50 Block 2 JF-17s on order by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is now well under way at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, with the first expected to fly by the end of the year.

The Block 2 JF-17 has several capability increases over the Block 1s, but the main boost to the PAF as well as to export potential is the installation of an air-to-air refuelling system. One aircraft has been fitted with a refuelling probe, which protrudes from the right side of the fuselage just behind the cockpit, sitting forward of the pilot's position. It is being used for flight trials.

However, this modification will not appear in Block 2 aircraft until midway through the production at the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF), probably in early 2016, PAF officials said. Coupled with software enhancements, other new features include an upgrade to the avionics system that works around China's Nanjing KLJ-7 radar.


A detail of the refuelling probe on one of the first two Block 2 JF-17s. (Alan Warnes)

As a result, the Block 2s can add the Chinese-designed C-802 anti-ship missile and SD-10A beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile to the Block 1s' existing armoury, which includes Mk 82/84 dumb bombs and the PL-5-EII short-range air-to-air missile. All the Block 1s will eventually be upgraded with the Block 2 improvements.

With an urgent need to export JF-17s, a two-seater will be built in the Block 2 time frame. The PAF had always said that a two-seater is not urgent, but Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt now admits that a dual seater is a necessity. "We realise that it is required, because the air forces interested in buying JF-17 want one," he said.

PAF pilots currently converting to JF-17 are accumulating around 25 hours on a JF-17 simulator operational at Kamra, where one of the two operational squadrons is based. Nearly all the Block 1s have now been delivered to the PAF, which has a current requirement for 150 to replace the ageing F-7P and Mirage III/Vs.

http://www.janes.com/article/40105/first-block-2-jf-17s-under-construction-in-pakistan  

Citation :

Pakistan: deux bases aériennes attaquées, huit insurgés tués

Quetta (Pakistan) - Les forces de sécurité pakistanaises ont annoncé avoir repoussé vendredi des attaques talibanes contre deux bases aériennes dans le sud-ouest du pays, tuant au moins huit insurgés.

Des hommes équipés d'armes automatiques, de grenades et de vestes explosives ont attaqué dans la nuit la base aérienne de Samungli, et celle de Khalid, toutes deux situées à Quetta, capitale de la province du Baloutchistan.

Les opérations dans ces deux bases sont terminées. Huit insurgés ont été tués, cinq à Samungli et trois autres à Khalid, a déclaré à l'AFP le colonel Maqbool Ahmed, en charge de ces opérations.

Selon ce responsable militaire, des insurgés se sont approchés avec leur pick-up du périmètre de la base de Samungli avant d'ouvrir le feu.

Après des échanges de tirs, des insurgés ont fait détoner leur veste explosive, a ajouté ce responsable, précisant que deux insurgés présumés avaient été arrêtés et que les assaillants semblaient provenir d'Asie centrale.

Le chef de la police de la province du Baloutchistan, Mohammad Amlish, a déclaré à l'AFP que quatre policiers et trois soldats avaient été blessés dans ces affrontements survenus alors que le pays célèbre le 67e anniversaire de son indépendance.

La province du Baloutchistan, la moins développée du Pakistan malgré ses importants gisements d'hydrocarbure, est le théâtre depuis des années d'un conflit opposant les rebelles sécessionnistes aux forces de sécurité.

Si les rebelles baloutches ont tendance à s'en prendre aux symboles du pouvoir, les attentats-suicide ne font pas partie de leur mode opératoire contrairement aux groupes islamistes liés aux talibans et à Al-Qaïda.

A la mi-juin, l'armée avait lancé une vaste opération contre des refuges des talibans pakistanais et leurs alliés, notamment des combattants ouzbeks, dans la zone tribale du Waziristan du Nord, limitrophe, comme le Baloutchistan, de l'Afghanistan.

Un groupuscule lié au Mouvement des talibans pakistanais (TTP), le Fidayin al-Islam, a revendiqué vendredi l'attaque contre les deux bases aériennes de Quetta auprès de l'AFP.

Nous avons perpétré ces attaques en représailles à l'opération au Waziristan du Nord, a déclaré Ghalib Mehsud, le commandant de cette faction menaçant d'attaques encore plus importantes contre le gouvernement et les installations militaires.

L'opération militaire au Waziristan du Nord, épicentre de la mouvance djihadiste dans la région, avait été lancée à la suite de l'attaque contre l'aéroport de Karachi (sud), le plus grand du pays.

Le TTP, principal groupe rebelle islamiste du pays, et le Mouvement islamique d'Ouzbékistan (IMU), un autre allié d'Al-Qaïda dans la région, avaient alors revendiqué cet assaut ayant fait 37 morts.  

http://www.romandie.com/news/Pakistan-deux-bases-aeriennes-attaquees-huit-insurges-tues_RP/507863.rom

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Russian Federal Naval Forces Chief arrives on first ever official visit



ISLAMABAD: Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Naval Forces, Admiral Viktor V. Chirkov, has arrived here on a four days first ever historic official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of Chief of the Naval Staff.
Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, the Russian Commander-in-Chief was received by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila.
A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy clad in ceremonial dress, presented him the Guard of Honour.
The visiting dignitary was introduced to Principal Staff Officers at Naval Headquarters.
Later, Admiral Chirkov, called on Chief of the Naval Staff and had detailed discussion on professional matters with his counterpart.
Various avenues of cooperation including conduct of bilateral Naval Exercises were also discussed in detail.
A comprehensive brief on Pakistan Navy's Role in Regional Maritime Security Situation and Operational developments in the Indian Ocean was also given to the visiting dignitary.
During the visit, the Admiral is scheduled to call on Defence Minister, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Chief of Air Staff (CAS) in addition to Naval Field Commands at Karachi.
Admiral Chirkov is a graduate of Higher Naval School, Vladivostok, Russian Naval Academy and Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russian Federation.
Besides holding the appointment as Commander-in-Chief of Russian Navy, he has had the privilege to serve on coveted appointments including Chief of Staff/First Deputy Commander of the Troops and Forces of North East Flotilla, Commander Pacific Fleet, Chief of Staff/First Deputy Commander and then Commander of the Baltic Fleet.
Admiral Chirkov is also the recipient of various awards including Order of Service to the Homeland in the Russian Armed Forces, Order of Military Merit and Order of Naval Merit.
This visit is expected to greatly augment the bilateral cooperation between both the Navies.

http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1-front-top-news/189788-russian-federal-naval-forces-chief-arrives-on-first-ever-official-visit.html

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TURKISH FIRM MODERNIZES PAKISTAN'S JETS

ANKARA — Turkish Aerospace Industries has modernized the last four of Pakistan's F-16 fighter jets, completing a five-year contract. The remaining four aircraft will be handed over in a ceremony in Ankara on Tuesday. The company, known by the acronym TUSAŞ, signed a contract with Pakistan's Ministry of Defense in 2009. Under the program, Turkish technicians were to upgrade and test 41 aircraft. The first of the planes were delivered two years ago. TUSAŞ began co-producing U.S.-designed F-16s for the Turkish Air Force in 1984 and is one of the world's main aerospace companies involved in F-16 manufacture and modernization.

It has also upgraded the Royal Jordanian Air Force's F-16s. In a related development, fighter jets from Turkey and Pakistan joined a joint military exercise in central Turkey's Konya that started yesterday. The exercise is part of Turkey's year-long Anatolian Eagle exercise that brings together fighter jet pilots from different countries.

http://www.dailysabah.com

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TAI livre le dernier F-16 modernisé

http://defense-turque-infos.com/2014/09/02/tai-livre-le-dernier-f-16-modernise/

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L’armée pakistanaise prétend avoir tué 910 insurgés lors de son opération menée dans la région du Nord-Waziristân

Posté dans Pakistan, Terrorisme par Laurent Lagneau Le 04-09-2014

Avec les événements en Ukraine, à Gaza, au Liban, en Syrie, en Irak, en Centrafrique ou encore dans la bande sahélo-saharienne, on en viendrait presque à oublier l’opération menée depuis le 15 juin dernier contre les mouvements islamistes implantés dans la zone tribale du Nord-Waziristan par l’armée pakistanaise.

Appelée Zarb-e-Azb, cette opération a été lancée en réponse à l’attaque de l’aéroport de Karachi par un commando appartenant au Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), le mouvement taleb pakistanais. Sans doute avait-elle également un objectif moins avouable… L’avenir le dira.

En effet, Islamabad, ou du moins ses services de renseignement (ISI, Inter Service Intelligence), distingue les bons et les mauvais taliban (ou jihadistes). Les premiers appartiennent, par exemple, du réseau Haqqani, du mouvement taleb afghan, dirigé depuis Quetta par le mollah Omar ou encore du Lashkar-e-Taïba. Ces derniers sont soutenus en sous-mains par certaines autorités pakistanaises étant donné qu’ils servent ses intérêt en Afghanistan. Les seconds, qui appartiennent au TTP, sont combattus puisqu’ils s’en prennent au régime pakistanais.

Seulement, tout ce petit monde avait trouvé refuge dans la région tribale pakistanaise du Nord-Waziristan, contrôlée en grande partie par le TTP. Aussi, l’annonce d’une opération militaire dans ce territoire a permis à de nombreux militants jihadistes de passer de l’autre côté de la frontière… C’est à dire en Afghanistan. Le chiffre de 80% des jihadiste ayant quitté cette zone avant le début de l’offensive a même été avancé (ce qui représente 60.000 militants et leurs familles). Et ne doutons pas que ces derniers seront en position, le moment venu, de défier les autorités de Kaboul…

« Avant même le début de l’opération, les moudjahidines avaient déplacé leurs usines fabriquant des bombes et leurs camps d’entraînement dans des lieux sûrs, a même expliqué Ehsanullah Ehsan, le porte-parole de la Jamaat ul-Ahrar, un groupe taleb dissident du TTP.

Quoi qu’il en soit, l’état-major pakistanais a affirmé, le 3 septembre, que « 910 terroristes ont été tués » lors de l’opération Zarb-e-Azb, au cours de laquelle « 82 soldats ont perdu la vie ». En juillet, il avait indiqué avoir neutralisé 494 insurgés, dont Abou Abdur Rehman Almani, le responsable de l’attaque contre l’aéroport de Karachi. En août, l’AFP avait estimé, sur la base des communiqués officiels, que le nombre de jihadistes tués s’élevait à 632.

Un responsable militaire pakistanais a confié à l’agence de presse que cette hausse de tués s’expliquait par « l’intensification des combats au sol autour de Mir Ali », la deuxième ville du Nord-Waziristan. Pourtant, une offensive y avait été déclenchée dès le 14 juillet dernier.

Par ailleurs, le climat politique est explosif au Pakistan, le Premier ministre, Nawaz Sharif, étant contesté par l’armée (il avait déjà été renversé par le général Musharraf en 1999). Il lui est notamment reproché sa politique à l’égard de l’Inde. Qui plus est, le gouvernement pakistanais doit faire face à une violente contestation, attisée par Imran Khan ancien joueur de cricket populiste et l’imam islamiste Tahir ul-Qadri, installé au Canada.

http://www.opex360.com/2014/09/04/larmee-pakistanaise-pretend-avoir-tue-910-insurges-lors-de-son-operation-menee-dans-la-region-du-nord-waziristan/

Citation :

Pakistan receives last upgraded F-16s


Turkish Aerospace Industries has delivered its last four modernised Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs to the Pakistan air force, concluding a “Peace Drive 2” programme signed in 2009.


A total of 41 aircraft have undergone avionics and structural modernisation activity at TAI’s Kazan/Ankara facilities since work started in 2010. This involved the replacement of more than 1,300 parts, with each aircraft taking around six months to update. The company also provided training for Pakistan air force personnel.

The project’s completion for Pakistan follows earlier TAI programmes to upgrade F-16s for the air forces of Turkey and Jordan.

TAI aims to grow its provision of such modernisation projects. The company is currently performing work on the Turkish air force’s Lockheed C-130E tactical transports, and also is upgrading the service’s Northrop T-38 Talon trainers.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has sent six of its F-16s to Konya air base to take part in an Anatolian Eagle-series exercise, which is due to conclude on 12 September. The Turkish air force has allocated 27 of its F-16s, along with a Boeing 737 airborne early warning and control system aircraft and two Airbus Helicopters AS532s.

http://www.flightglobal.com

Mais pour le système radar est ce que quelqu'un à des information car je crois que son système radar n'est pas au parfait, des hélicoptères américains ont accédaient au domaine aérien est ils n'étaient pas détectés