The Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) search for a domestically built, sanction-free multi-role fighter ended through the induction of the JF-17 Thunder. However, it had been a long-term process with starts and stops that, arguably, date as…
The emergence of the JF-17 as the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) backbone fighter certainly prevented many adverse scenarios, not least continuing to rely on the F-7P as the workhorse into the 2020s. However, though a solution as the JF-17 emerged, it is…
In an attempt to circumvent the impact of US sanctions and to expand its market-share across a wide-range of industries, including defence, Russia is considering trade in the currencies of its customers. The move, if brought to fruition, would essentially spur bilateral…
AK-308: Kalashnikov’s New 7.62 NATO Rifle
During the 2018 International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2018” in August 2018, Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern unveiled a new 7.62x51 mm NATO assault rifle intended for overseas users, the AK-308.[1]
According to a press release from Kalashnikov Concern, the…
Current tensions between Ankara and Washington have cast doubt on whether Turkish Aerospace will be able to bring Pakistan’s order for 30 T129 ATAK attack helicopters to fruition. The concern stems from the fact that the T129’s engine – i.e. the Light…
On the heels of cutting $300 m in intended funding to Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF), the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will make an official visit to Pakistan to meet the new Pakistani government of Prime Minister Imran…
Pakistan is reportedly planning to have Russia upgrade its T-80UD main battle tanks (MBT); the Pakistan Army is bolstering its self-propelled artillery with surplus M109L howitzers from Italy; the PRSS-O1 (i.e. Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite) is fully operational; Damen Shipyards and the…
In light of the 2019 National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) signed into law by President Trump, the sale of 30 T129 ATAK attack helicopters by Turkey to Pakistan could, as per some observers, potentially be blocked by the US. The T129’s turboshaft…
On 06 and 07 August, the respective defence ministries of Pakistan and Russia had conducted their first bilateral meeting under the Russian-Pakistan Military Advisory Committee on Defence and Security. In addition to discussing “prospects of bilateral cooperation in the military and military-technical…
On the heels of Russia and Pakistan signing a memorandum-of-understanding (MoU) to enhance naval cooperation, discussion surrounding the potential scope of bilateral defence ties between Pakistan and Russia has again emerged. Simply, New Delhi’s preference for American and European arms has left…