You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
India-Pakistan
US plans “significant” Pakistan missile sale
2006-06-01
The high-wire pic is for our government's balancing act.
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration said on Wednesday it was planning to let Pakistan buy advanced Boeing Co. Harpoon anti-ship missiles and related equipment valued at up to $370 million in “a significant upgrade” of the Asian nation’s existing weapons systems.

Of the total “Block II” Harpoon missiles sought by Pakistan, 50 would be for launch from submarines, 50 from surface ships and 30 by air, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a notice to Congress required by law. The equipment would provide “a significant upgrade to Pakistan’s existing systems and allow for improved target acquisition,” said the agency, which handles US government-to-government weapons sales.

The notice does not mean that a sale has been concluded. In addition, Congress can interfere.
And prob'ly will.
“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be a key ally in the global war on terrorism,” the agency added.

Chicago-based Boeing describes the advanced Harpoon as capable of knocking out coastal defenses, surface-to-air missile sites and exposed aircraft as well as ships in port. It uses a satellite-aided inertial navigation system.
Wonder who controls the switch for the satellite-aided navigation? Ooops, thought Mumbai was that-away.
The upgraded targeting capability “significantly reduces the risk of hitting noncombatant targets, thus improving Pakistan’s naval operational flexibility,” the agency told Congress.
Posted by:Steve White

#3  Fine, sell them, as long as they have IFF.
Posted by: pihkalbadger   2006-06-01 13:24  

#2  Why do I get the feeling that our ships will be dodging those missiles some day?
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2006-06-01 07:58  

#1  Just plain crazy.
Posted by: 6   2006-06-01 07:45  

00:00