Pakistan signed an agreement with Russia to purchase MI-35 ‘Hind’ attack helicopters. “An agreement was signed between Pakistan and Russian authorities in Rawalpindi for the purchase of four MI-35 helicopters,” said a senior military official on Wednesday. The official, however, did not provide any further details about the deal, or shed any light on the configuration of the helicopters which Pakistan will receive. No timeline for delivery of the helicopters was revealed. The agreement is believed to have been finalised during Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif’s visit to Russia in June earlier this year. Russia’s move is a major shift in it’s policy in the wake of strategic partnership between US and India. Moscow has for long ignored Islamabad in a bit to please its long term ally New Delhi. But as a result of India’s growing tilt towards the US, Russia has now begun to expand its cooperation with Pakistan. For its part, Islamabad is eager to improve its ties with Moscow to diversify its options in the event of any stalemate in ties with Washington. Civilian and military leadership of both Russia and Pakistan has been discussing the possibility of forging defence ties between the two countries and signing of the deal for supply of four Hind-E attack helicopters opens the door for meaningful and mutually beneficial defence cooperation. No doubt, the decision of Russia to provide military support to Pakistan comes in the wake of somewhat cold-shouldered response to Moscow by New Delhi, which is now more interested to shop military hardware from countries other than Russia but one must appreciate that it is in the national interest of Pakistan. At a time when India is exploring all avenues to bolster its defence capabilities, Pakistan should also look at all options to ensure boosting of its defence and security. Of course, Pakistan cannot afford to enter into an arms race because of economic and financial constraints but it is also a fact that it cannot close its eyes towards its defence needs. India is stockpiling all sorts of weapons from all sources and this has serious consequences for Pakistan as India’s military plans are mostly directed at Pakistan. Apart from exploring all avenues for procurement of defence equipment, Pakistan should also expand and upgrade its indigenous defence production capabilities. It should enter into joint collaboration with friendly countries forinvestment and technology transfer for the purpose. The country has the required manpower and potential to meet not only its own defence requirements but also that of the friendly countries provided we chalk out a workable plan for the purpose.
pk.shafaqna.com
