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US arms sale to Pak crosses $4.5 bn, report hints India may be target
Pakistan has procured weapons and military platforms worth over $ 4.5 billion from the US since the beginning of the war against terror in Afghanistan. The latest report presented before the US Congress lists details of arms deals between the two countries till March this year. It also points out that most weapons purchased are more suitable for a conventional war against India rather than counter-terrorsim efforts.A report prepared by the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) says while bulk of purchases were made by Pakistan using its national funds, the country was also provided equipment worth $1.6 billion under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) scheme that was meant primarily for counter-terrorism efforts. However, analysts say that a look at the weapons purchased by Pakistan post-2001 under FMF clearly show that they are meant for a conventional role against India. The latest CRS report lists major FMF purchases like maritime patrol aircraft, surveillance radars and anti tank missiles that have no role in counter-terrorism operations. Arms purchased by Pakistan under FMF include: Eight P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft ($474 million) 5,250 TOW anti-armor missiles ($186 million) 5,600 military radio sets ($163 million) Six AN/TPS-77 surveillance radars ($100 million, all delivered and in operation) Six C-130E transport aircraft (76 million, all delivered and in operation) 20 AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters (48 million, 12 delivered, 8 pending) Similarly, supplies bought with a mix of Pakistani national funds and FMF include upgrades for its F 16 fighters and artillery guns that can be deployed in mountains and hilly areas. 60 mid-life update kits for F-16A/B combat aircraft (valued at $891 million, with $108 million as FMF) 115 M-109 self-propelled howitzers ($87 million, FMF of $53 million) This list does not include the 26 Bell 412 helicopters worth $ 235 that Pakistan received under the Coalition Support Funds that are part of Pentagons internal budget. Other notable purchases listed in the report include the $ 1.43 billion deal for 18 new F-16C/D Block 50/52 combat aircraft that have been paid for entirely with Pakistani national funds. The deal includes 500 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, 1,450 2,000-pound bombs, 500 JDAM bomb tail kits and 1,600 Enhanced Paveway laser-guided bomb kits. * 100 Harpoon anti-ship missiles ($298 million, 70 delivered); * 500 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles ($95 million, 300 delivered); and * six Phalanx close-in naval guns ($80 million).
Posted by: john frum 2008-04-30 |
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