visioninthedark

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Forward naval base to be set up near Gwadar port

CNS says US Navy is all out to support Pakistan and prepared to fulfil PN needs

By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir

ISLAMABAD: The government is to establish a forward operation base of the navy adjacent to Gwadar port. It will be the country’s third operating base for maritime defences.

This was revealed by Naval Chief Admiral Shahid Karimullah in an exclusive interview with The News here on Tuesday. He was of the view that since Gwadar is situated close to Ormara naval base, there is no need of a full-fledged naval base at the upcoming port of Gwadar. Pakistan already has forward operating bases at Ormara and Karachi and with the establishment of Gwadar forward operating base, the future requirements of the naval forces would be fulfilled adequately, he added.

Admiral Shahid had an extensive visit of the United States last month. Giving details of the visit, he said the US navy is all out to support Pakistan and prepared to fulfil the needs of Pakistan but the procedural system is coming in the way of materialising the same. He referred to P-3c, Orion multi-role plane and said the matter is pending with the US Congress. The US has agreed to provide eight such planes to Pakistan Navy. Likewise, the US authorities are ready to supply Pakistan Vulcan Phalanx missile system that could counter the Brahmos supersonic missile India has obtained causing potential imbalance in maritime defence between the two countries.

Responding to a query, the Naval chief said the United States is prepared to supply Pakistan any type of weapons with defence orientation but Washington is exercising extraordinary care in giving weapons capable of offence. In such cases it refers the matter to the Congress.

Admiral Shahid Karimullah had meetings with US Deputy Defence Secretary Wolfowitz, Assistant Secretary of State Cristina Rocca, Naval Chief of the United States Admiral Verle Clarke and other high-level defence officials. He also visited some naval defence installations in the United States.

The naval chief said the US has its present in the waters of the region. To an estimate the United States has more than 40 warships in the seas around us but no US ship anchors in Pakistan’s maritime territory. About 10,000 US sailors and officers are doing their duty on these ships. Presence of these ships help safe shipping in the region, he said.

He disclosed that Pakistan had sent letter of intent for purchasing four multirole destroyers from China last month. As soon as the two sides arrive at an agreement on loan facility, a formal agreement would be signed.

"Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz assured us even yesterday that he will strive to finalise the loan as the attitude of Chinese government is extremely favourable," he said. Pakistan is procuring four such support destroyer ships from China. The first one will be in Pakistan’s waters towards the end of 2007 or early 2008. The technology of building of such ships will also be transferred to Pakistan.

The chief of the naval staff is of the view that Pakistan cannot ignore the needs of coastal defence. India is building its navy in huge proportion. It is much bigger in size in comparison to the neighbouring naval forces. There must be reason behind it and one must understand it, he maintained.

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Asim Aquil

So after 57 years they finally realise the Navy should be strong! I heard they bought some patrol boat from Turkey a few days ago. An year back the Agostas. They need AC and SLBMs too. But of course the 1st priority should be the AF. It's been cripled by the sanctions and bad relations with some powerful nations.

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Ray

Actually all three Services have to be strong. But it requires money. That is hard to come by.

Sanctions are 'men of straw' so to say. What one must have is the industrial and defence production infrastructure, finances, expertise, R&D, stable governance etc etc. Then, who cares if someone imposes sanction?

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