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Pakistan’s MoDP met Turkish, Dutch ambassadors, Ukrainian officials
On 12 and 13 February, Pakistan’s Minister of Defence Production (MoDP) Rana Tanveer Hussain met with the Ambassadors of Turkey and the Netherlands along with Ukrainian defence industry officials.
In his meeting with Palvo Bukin, the Director General of the Ukrainian state-owned arms trading company Ukrspecexport and Alexander Khlan, the Director General of the Malyshev Factory, Hussain reiterated that Pakistan valued its ties with Ukraine (Associated Press of Pakistan).
The Malyshev Factory is to send an Oplot-M main battle tank (MBT) to Pakistan for trials, where it will be run against the VT4 MBT supplied by China’s NORINCO. Besides this, Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) is also procuring 6TD-2 1,200 hp diesel engines from the Malyshev Factory for use on the al-Khalid MBT series.
On 12 February, Hussain met with Turkey’s Ambassador to Pakistan İhsan Mustafa Yurdakul. In addition to discussing the sale of 52 Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Super Mushshak trainers to Turkey, he lauded Pakistan’s defence ties with Turkey.
In his official visit to Turkey in November 2017, Hussain told Turkey’s state-owned news agency Anadolu Agency that negotiations for the T129 attack helicopters and MILGEM corvettes were in the final stages. Pakistan is interested in procuring four MILGEM corvettes and 30 T129s.
Also on 12 February, Hussain met with the Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan, Ardi Stoios-Braken. According to a press statement from the MoDP, Hussain called for “establishing joint ventures related to the defence productions” involving the respective industries of the Netherlands and Pakistan.
Damen Shipyards and Thales Nederlands are leading Dutch suppliers, with Pakistan procuring solutions from both. In June 2017, the Pakistan Navy ordered two offshore patrol vessels (OPV) from Damen Shipyards, one of which is to be constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works.
Based on the specifications provided by the Pakistan Navy – i.e. a displacement of 1,900 tons, length of 90 m and maximum speed of 22 knots – the new OPVs could be a variant of the Damen OPV 1800. Pakistan plans to use the OPVs for “(sic) Anti Surface, Anti Air Operations, Maritime Security Operations, Day and Night Helicopter Operations, Combat Search and Rescue and Surveillance and Intelligence Gathering.”
Public export/import logs show the Pakistan Navy importing ‘radar equipment’ from Thales Nederland, it is unclear exactly what is being procured (with deliveries occurring as late as January 2018).
Import records of the Pakistan Navy showing deliveries from Thales Nederland:
Increasing bilateral cooperation would likely expand upon these transactions, which can involve additional OPV purchases (and/or cutters, auxiliary ships and other solutions) from Damen Shipyards. Likewise, the PN could consider including Thales Nederland as a prospective radar supplier for new surface combatants.
14 Comments
by MOHAMMAD HARIS FAHIM
Pakistan’s unfortunate fiscal constraints have limited us to buy primarily from 3rd tier suppliers which can’t supply us the level of lethal equipments necessary to deter eastern threat conventionally. Had such relations were established either with France or with Russia at least, we could have enjoyed at least at par competition in quality if not in quantity. Failure in both diplomacy and economy. Thanks to military diplomacy Pakistan at least maintains historic defence relations.
by sami shahid
Pakistan has the capability to counter conventional naval attack from East but now we need to focus on maritime security as well to counter crime & terror to secure Balochistan.
by Aamir
Haris, You have a valid point, but I think we have a good opportunity for self sufficiency here. For example, Ukraine builds a good solid tank, but if coupled with Turkish technology will help make it a much more potent machine. Any defense purchase that we make must come with a 100% transfer of technology plus part manufacturing to offset the cost of purchase. We have a excellent opportunity to partner with the Turks on numerous weapon platforms.
by Mahesh Agrawal
I remember Pakistan triumphantly rejected Ukraine’s overtures for joint production, MRO and what not in the hopes Russia will follow through. Ukraine ended up going with Bangladesh (MRO) and Saudi Arabia (Join Production). What did Pakistan get from Russia in the end? lmao
by Syed Hasan
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by Bilal Khan
Yes, Visa Debit should work.
Sincerest thanks 🙂
by Bilal Khan
To be fair the calls for pivoting to Russia came from some Pakistani pundits, but the MoDP has remained engaged with Ukraine. It’s also an issue of whether Pakistan is willing to co-fund Ukrainian programs, there has to be strong overlap between what’s offered and what’s needed.
by TZK
The other point being you do not go out of your way to upset permanent members of the security council.
by Steve
I agree. With the build up of weaponry over the last 15 years TNW will not be needed, unless the war prolongs where larger numbers may come in the equation eventually. Azm a Nau and Zarb I Momin earlier have amply demonstrated that.
by MOHAMMAD HARIS FAHIM
Well TNW were introduced after the Mumbai attacks so to say 15 years of acquisitions cleared provided us the necessary edge conventionally is a little gray notion in my amateurish opinion. We still lack the offensive defence capabilities like robust numbers in mlrs, self propelled howitzers, tanks, kamikaze drones,close air support aircrafts, long range precision munitions and long range air defence which will turn tides on Punjab plains. Don’t you think?
by shawn redfield
I used to believe the PA outguns the IA when it comes to heavy artillery (155mm), both qualitatively and quantitatively…am I wrong?
by Steve
Remember we will be defending not invading India.
by MOHAMMAD HARIS FAHIM
Yes but we house a mangla strike corp remember. Israel’s six days war experience says that to strike deep into enemy space creates psychological edge. Offensive defence will create a real time deterrence during a war. A serious setback on Indian forward thrust would deter any future attack. Although they have a history to open multiple fronts. That’s why I pointed out robust numbers
by MOHAMMAD HARIS FAHIM
Yes, in many ways bitter experience at Kargil made us induct heavy artillery particularly the 155mm category notably in the form of MKEK Panter from Turkey. But still there is a large room for more artillery to be inducted specially SPHs.