Pakistan’s 2021: Chinese Solutions & Original Projects Take Lead

In 2021, Pakistan cemented its defence modernization strategy through the dual methodology of buying off-the-shelf Chinese solutions and developing original projects, either indigenously or with partners. The latter have typically been either China or Turkey.

Thus far, it seems that Pakistan is employing off-the-shelf and original programs in complementary ways. Ultimately, the requirements of each service arm and factors such as cost, technical complexity, partner support, and accessibility to existing solutions determine the route of each use case.

Pakistan Army

Though inducted in late 2020, the VT4 main battle tank (MBT) was the Pakistan Army’s (PA) most notable off-the-shelf purchase. China’s Norinco Group continued delivering additional VT4 MBT batches to the PA through 2021. However, from the onset of the program (once dubbed ‘Haider’) the VT4 was supposed to be a complementary solution to the domestically-built al-Khalid series.

The al-Khalid series is an original project, albeit based on Norinco’s MBT-2000 platform. However, the PA made many changes to the design to shape the al-Khalid into a distinct system, especially in terms of the engine, sighting systems and other electronics. Nonetheless, the leading partner of the al-Khalid series is China, which supplies some of the tank’s sub-assemblies to Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT).

Pakistan is still investing in the al-Khalid series. The Chairman of HIT, Maj. Gen. Aamir Raza, said, “we will also be producing a newer upgraded version of al-Khalid series based on…VT4 technology.” This statement suggests that the al-Khalid 2 will draw on the VT4, though the specifics of how are not yet known.

In terms of new MBTs, it seems that both off-the-shelf and original projects will form the future mainstay of the PA’s inventory. In fact, it seems that the PA is trying to build some commonality between the VT4 and al-Khalid 2, which could help simplify maintenance and logistics.

However, the PA is also working on several more indigenous original projects. These include a 155 mm towed-howitzer gun and, reportedly, a continuation of the Viper infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). Produced by HIT, the Viper IFV is based on the M113, which HIT has been manufacturing under license for decades.

The advantage of leveraging the M113 for the Viper IFV is that the PA can re-use existing production and support infrastructure while adding a net-new capability. This is a critical gain because the PA would induct the Viper IFV in large numbers to revamp its mechanized infantry formations.

Finally, Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) is developing two original rifles: BW20 and BW21. The two new designs rely on roller-delayed blowback mechanisms, which the PA trusts. However, POF’s aiming to bring new capability improvements on both the production and utilization fronts through the BW-series.

These projects provide the PA with the ingredients to modernize its infantry and armour at scale, and, as importantly, at an affordable cost. It seems that when it comes to quantitatively large procurement, the PA is leveraging as much of its existing infrastructure, training doctrines, and other elements as possible.

That said, the PA’s modernization roadmap is still incomplete. Due to its difficulties working with the U.S., the PA was unable to secure either the AH-1Z Viper or T129 ATAK as it had intended. For the T129, the PA gave Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) multiple extensions to secure export licenses for the engines from Washington. The last known extension – for six months – was given in March 2021. Quwa expects the PA to act upon its next available option in 2022 as new attack helicopters were a pre-established need since 2012.

The next alternative would be the Chinese Z-10ME. However, no matter the route, it seems that Pakistan will likely opt for an off-the-shelf solution for its future attack and, potentially, transport helicopter needs. Unlike the armoured, artillery or small arms programs, the PA’s helicopter needs are not large enough to warrant domestic production. Moreover, the fact that an off-the-shelf solution still exists (Z-10ME) does not necessitate the need to invest in an original project or joint ventures with TAI.

Pakistan Navy

In 2021, the Pakistan Navy (PN) made major modernization inroads across surface, sub-surface, aviation, and special mission applications. Like the PA, the PN is employing a mix of off-the-shelf procurement and original projects. However, both approaches heavily involve both China and Turkey…(end of excerpt, read the rest on Quwa Premium).

Pakistan Air Force

The Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter is the cornerstone of its modernization and capability growth. Through a joint-venture with Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the JF-17 is an original program centered on the requirements of the PAF…(end of excerpt, read the rest on Quwa Premium).

End of Excerpt (736/1,726 Words).

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