Neo

Pakistan already has intermediate-range nuclear missiles
Pakistan says it has successfully tested a new short range nuclear-capable missile.
The Haft-II Abdali surface-to-surface ballistic missile is said to have a range of 200km (125 miles).

Pakistan test-fired its first nuclear-capable cruise missile in August last year.

The test comes ahead of a visit by Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf to China, which is Islamabad's biggest weapons supplier.

"The Abdali SSM... can carry nuclear and other types of warheads," said a statement issued by the military after the test.

"All planned technical parameters were validated."

The army did not say where the test took place. President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had congratulated those involved in developing the missile on "their outstanding achievement".


China visit

President Musharraf is expected to discuss nuclear co-operation with China during his five-day visit, which marks the 55th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.


Pakistan and China have traditionally close ties
Pakistan is currently working with China on the construction of a nuclear power plant - the second to be built in Pakistan with Chinese help.

Among other senior figures, General Musharraf will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The BBC's Farhana Haider says that a recent thaw in relations between China and India will be viewed with rising disquiet by Pakistan.


Pakistan already has intermediate-range nuclear missiles
Pakistan says it has successfully tested a new short range nuclear-capable missile.
The Haft-II Abdali surface-to-surface ballistic missile is said to have a range of 200km (125 miles).

Pakistan test-fired its first nuclear-capable cruise missile in August last year.

The test comes ahead of a visit by Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf to China, which is Islamabad's biggest weapons supplier.

"The Abdali SSM... can carry nuclear and other types of warheads," said a statement issued by the military after the test.

"All planned technical parameters were validated."

The army did not say where the test took place. President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had congratulated those involved in developing the missile on "their outstanding achievement".


China visit

President Musharraf is expected to discuss nuclear co-operation with China during his five-day visit, which marks the 55th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.


Pakistan and China have traditionally close ties
Pakistan is currently working with China on the construction of a nuclear power plant - the second to be built in Pakistan with Chinese help.

Among other senior figures, General Musharraf will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The BBC's Farhana Haider says that a recent thaw in relations between China and India will be viewed with rising disquiet by Pakistan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4729622.stm

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Administrator @ Defence.pk

Sameer

Err so far there is no direct evidence that the Babur is nuclear capable and if it was, that would give a good indication as to the nuke warhead size and weight that Pakistan can not field.....

Neo

You have a point there, but most of our programme is kept in full secracy.
Bluff...who knows?

Neo

Accords cover defence, energy, other sectors; Hu stresses strategic partnership; assures cooperation in combating ‘three forces’; Musharraf apologises over killing of Chinese engineers;

BEIJING: China and Pakistan reinforced their steadily warming ties on Monday, signing sweeping pacts on issues from family planning to defence.

Chinese President Hu Jintao called visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf "an old friend of the Chinese people" after the two exchanged tight handshakes and broad grins in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Monday evening.

Hu was quoted as telling Musharraf, "We should strengthen high-level contact and consultations on international and regional issues ... we should cooperate closer in multilateral areas." Hu pledged further support for the victims of the devastating October 8 earthquake.

Hours earlier, Musharraf apologised emotionally to China over the drive-by shootings of three Chinese engineers by militants in Pakistan. He said the incident brought "shame" on his country.

"The man in the street (in Pakistan) loves the Chinese people," Musharraf told China’s parliament chief, Wu Bangguo, during the part of their Beijing meeting open to reporters. "Every individual Pakistani regrets this incident, and we resolve to get to the depths of the issue," he told Hu at their evening meeting.

Hu said China hoped Pakistan will ensure the safety of Chinese people in Pakistan — a presence likely to increase after the leaders and high-level delegations from both sides held closed-door meetings, then signed 13 agreements on a wide range of issues.

One of the first was on cooperation between their defence ministries. In the part of their meeting open to the media, Hu said his country would cooperate with Pakistan to combat the "three forces," a term by which China refers to terrorism, separatism and religious extremism.

As with all 13 agreements signed on Monday, few details about the defence pact were immediately available. Another of the pacts covered energy cooperation. China has helped Pakistan set up a nuclear power plant, and the two recently started work on a second in the country’s east.

Another agreement was for China to provide Pakistan with $300 million in loans to buy Chinese goods. In another, China agreed to help upgrade the Karakoram Highway, which runs near its border in northern Pakistan and was badly damaged by last year’s devastating earthquake. The two sides also signed a pledge to work together on quake research following the massive disaster.

Other agreements covered expanding economic ties, cooperation in health, joint work on family planning, a plan to boost two-way trade, meteorological research, fisheries, pesticide management, and an agreement for China to help Pakistan provide vocational training.

Chinese President Hu Jintao earlier met President Pervez Musharraf to promote the development of China-Pakistan "strategic partnership." Hu made the call during wide-ranging talks in Beijing with his visiting Pakistani counterpart. Hu said China is willing to cooperate with Pakistan in the fields of energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure.

On relationship between Pakistan and India, Hu noted China welcomes that the two sides conduct dialogues to improve bilateral relations, from the strategic view of regional peace and development.

The Chinese president hoped to see the peaceful resolution of all disagreements, including the Kashmir dispute. President Musharraf said his government and people love China and regard China as "a trustworthy neighbour and partner."

Pakistan is willing to take joint efforts with China to promote economic and trade cooperation, and to expand exchanges and cooperation in education, culture and security issues, including coordination on regional and international issues, he added.

The two sides covered the entire spectrum of their bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern. They expressed shared perceptions on major issues and agreed to continue cooperation for UN reforms to make it a more effective and representative body.

The two sides agreed to work closer together and maintain mutual support and cooperation in the fields of international and regional affairs. They also agreed to continue their cooperation in the counter-terrorism efforts through dialogue and regular communication at various levels.

On the bilateral front, the two leaders decided to lay greater emphasis on economic relations, which have shown improvement but are still not reflective of the close political and diplomatic ties. They noted with satisfaction and pride the completion of 55 years of their diplomatic relations during which the two traditional allies stood by each other in the hour of need.

Chinese spokesman Qin Gang termed the talks between the two heads of state as "highly successful" and said they reached a broad consensus on a number of issues of bilateral interest. "I firmly believe that the president’s visit and his meeting with Chinese side will give a strong push to our bilateral relations," he added.

President Musharraf was assisted during the talks by Minister for Commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Privatization and Investment Division, Umar Ahmed Ghuman, Minister for Defence Production, Habibullah Waraich, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Riaz Ahmed Khan and Pakistan Ambassador to China Salman Bashir. Earlier, Musharraf was accorded a red-carpet welcome when he arrived at the Great Hall of the People for a formal ceremony. President Hu Jintao received the President on his arrival.

Neo

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 : A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft crashed on Tuesday in the eastern near Jhang, a PAF statement said.

“Pakistan Air Force reports with regret that an F-7 Fighter Aircraft, while on a routine operational training mission, crashed near Jhang (Punjab Province),” the PAF statement said.

The crash apparently occurred due to technical malfunction, it said.

The Pilot of the aircraft ejected safely. No loss of civilian life or property has been reported.

A board of inquiry has been ordered by Air Headquarters to determine the cause of accident, the statement said.

Endangered

Musharraf to inspect Sino-Pak fighter jet

BEIJING: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will inspect the multi-purpose JF-17 (Thunder) fighter jet, jointly manufactured by China Pakistan, during his visit to southwest China’s Sichuan province today (Thursday).

The maiden flight of the JF17 was held on September 3, 2003, in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Sources also did not rule out a demonstration flight of the JF17 for the visiting Pakistani president, the official Xinhua news agency reported..

The JF17 fighter jet project, which China and Pakistan jointly funded, started in 1999 when CATIC signed a co-operative agreement with the Pakistan Air Since then, CATIC, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Company, Chengdu Aircraft Designing Institute and the Pakistan Air Force have been developing the fighter jet. Musharraf left here Wednesday for Sichuan to continue his state visit to China during which he held talks with Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao.He also witnessed the signing of 13 bilateral agreements ranging from trade and energy to agriculture and defence.As his visit coincided with the 55th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Musharraf unveiled a series of commemorative events in Beijing.

In Sichuan, the hometown of giant pandas, Musharraf will visit a base of giant panda in the provincial capital Chengdu and meet with businesspeople there.

Link

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Wild Wild Web

Neo

KARACHI (February 25 2006): Pakistan Navy commissioned in its fleet two indigenously built fast attack missile crafts 'Quwwat' and 'Jurrat' at an impressive ceremony held here at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works on Friday.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Adm Tahir said that the commissioning of these missile boats heralded a new era for Pakistan Navy in missile craft construction.

He said this significant achievement had laid the foundation of a viable shipbuilding industry which Pakistan Navy would "Insha Allah, continue" to further capitalise upon.

The Naval Chief said that in the changed maritime scenario, Navy undertakings had increased manifold and warranted development of a balanced Navy capable of safeguarding legitimate maritime interests.

"To this end, our Frigate Project has already been materialised which will Insha Allah commence soon with Chinese collaboration in the region. Induction of these fast attack missile crafts in PN Fleet will certainly enhance its offensive punch," he added. Acknowledging Government's efforts to equip the Navy with the latest weaponry and providing it with the infrastructure compatible to the modern needs, he observed that the Government had paid full attention to the maritime sector, and development of Gwadar port and Coastal Highway were significant steps in that direction.

Chief of the Naval Staff congratulated all engineers and technicians of Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works on achieving this significant milestone. He thanked 'Marsun' of Thailand for the valuable contribution towards this landmark achievement. He also expressed hope that the newly inducted crafts would meet all future challenges effectively and undertake their assigned missions successfully.

Neo

ISLAMABAD: Naval ships of Pakistan and Netherlands conducted joint drills in the Arabian Sea to improve anti-terrorist coordination, a Pakistan Navy statement said on Saturday.

"The joint drills conducted by Pakistan navy fleet units and the Royal Netherlands navy ship HNLMS De Zeven Provincien are part of a Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (CMPC) force patrolling in the Arabian Sea to thwart any act of terrorism," said the statement.

The Pakistan Navy has been actively engaged in anti-terror operations in the Arabian Sea since early 2004 when it joined the coalition of international naval forces - CMCP. Both Pakistani and Netherlands navies are part of CMCP.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pakistan became a close ally of the US-led international coalition against terrorism and captured over 700 foreign militants, including some top Al Qaeda terrorists, since December 2001.

Endangered

US may offer 55 new, 25 used F-16s, says report

WASHINGTON: The United States may offer up to 55 new and 25 used F-16s to Pakistan in 2006, says a congressional report released days before President Bush’s visit to India and Pakistan.

The report by the Congressional Research Service (CRI) says that the US has been directly involved in training the security detail of President Pervez Musharraf and has funded a 650-officer Diplomatic Security Unit.

The report points out that the US policy interests in Pakistan encompass a wide range of issues, including counterterrorism, nuclear weapons and missile proliferation, South Asian and Afghan stability, democratisation and human rights, economic reform and efforts to counter drug trafficking.

It says the US Departments of State and Defence acknowledge that Pakistan has afforded the US unprecedented levels of cooperation by allowing the US military to use bases in the country, helping to identify and detain extremists, and tightening the Afghan border.

Link

Neo

I can hardly wait to see what goodies will be offered this time.

Neo

ISLAMABAD (February 28 2006): The Government of Pakistan has designated Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed as next Chief of the Air Staff. He will assume command of Pakistan Air Force on March 20 on the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, the present Chief of the Air Staff.

Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed was born in 1952 and got his initial education in Lahore. Subsequently, after doing his F.Sc from PAF Public School, Sargodha, he joined the PAF. He graduated from the PAF Academy, Risalpur in April, 1972, and went on to do Fighter and Operational Conversion courses. He First flew on the American F-86 (Sabre) and then flew all types of Chinese and French fighter aircraft on PAF inventory.

He is a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and Combat Commander on Fighter aircraft. He commanded an elite Fighter Squadron, the choicest F-16s Flg Wing, PAF Base, Sargodha and the PAF Academy, Risalpur.

In staff jobs, the Air Marshal has served as Deputy Director in Operations Branch, Personal Staff Officer to two Air Chiefs, Chief Project Director of F-16 Project, Senior Air Staff Officer at Northern Air Command, Peshawar, and Director General of Air Weapons Complex, Wah.

At senior staff assignments, the Air Marshal has the unique distinction of having served as Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Admin) and then Operations. Currently, he has been serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff for over two years.

Air Marshal Mahmood has also served in UAE Air Force as a fighter instructor pilot. He is a graduate of Turkish Air War College, Turkey, and National Defence College, Islamabad from where he did his MSc in Strategic Studies. The Air Officer is married and is blessed with four children, two of whom are pilots in the PAF.

In recognition of his meritorious and exceptionally dedicated services, he has been decorated with Sitara-e-Basalat, Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Mil) and Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Mil).

Neo

KAMRA (February 28 2006): Pakistan on Monday joined the coveted list of countries manufacturing aircraft parts for the world's largest aircraft manufacturer - The Boeing Company.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz inaugurated the manufacturing facility at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), which is already manufacturing six types of aircraft, three types of engines, air defence and air-borne avionics systems and their components.

Prime Minister Aziz appreciated Boeings willingness to transfer technology to further cement business relations and help in building bridges between the East and West.

Boeing offered transfer of technology. Boeing Quality Management System Certification training and technical support to PAC, after evaluating all necessary infrastructure, expertise and internationally recognised Quality System at PAC.

It has received orders for manufacture of 476 parts by November 2006. Boeing is to purchase parts from the PAC till August 2010 under an agreement, which could be extended for another two years.

The PAC has also commissioned the hi tech CNC machines received for Boeing and continues to upgrade its manufacturing special processes - Heat and Surface Treatment and Non-Destructive testing facilities. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also inaugurated the C-130 aircraft propeller overhaul facility for the Hamilton Sunsdstran of Holland.

Neo

CHINESE FIGHTERS: Pakistan is also currently working on an ambitious joint production programme with China to replace its aging fleet of Chinese fighters, with a modern multi-role, all-weather, day-night aircraft. The PAC is supplying aircraft and services to several international companies, including the Rolls Royce USA, SAAB of Sweden, Sagem of France.

He said the companies should see the PAC as their extension. "We are not shy of performing, of delivering of being competitive and will supply you the quality products," he added.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also called for more joint ventures and more focus on marketing to leverage the full potential of the organisation. He said with reliability, quality and dependability as its hallmarks, the PAC would now be a partner of Boeing and join the list of its international vendors.

The Prime Minister referring to the overhauling of propellers for the C-130 aircraft, said it was a workhorse used by many air forces around the world. "We need to market our capabilities and need to go for joint ventures," he added.

Describing the PAC as a "Centre of Excellence" he appreciated its role in the rebuild, manufacturing and design of aircraft and said, "every Pakistani is proud of PAC...you have made us proud."

He said the JF-17 Thunder will be the frontline aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force in the next decade as it has the necessary punch, the avionics and the capability to defend the country's airspace.

The Prime Minister said the PAC would expand its manufacturing capabilities in electronics, avionics and production of aircraft.

Neo

SELF-RELIANCE: He said self-reliance for essential defence equipment was very important for Pakistan as it has seen many ups and downs in the past.

"The more self-reliant we are, the more we are prepared for future challenges," he said. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said steps were under way to further enhance exports of the Super Mashak aircraft and appreciated that they have earned the PAC a good repute, both by civil and military users.

Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Khan, Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra, said: "The PAC has developed a sound technological base that can meet international military and civil aviation standards."

He said the PAC underwent an in-depth survey and fulfilled all pre-requisites for the award of contract from Boeing. Four PAC factories attained the highest quality certification in Aerospace manufacturing of AS-9100 Rev B standard and the ISO 9001 Quality Management System.

"The expertise attained has not only synergized our existing indigenization and JF-17 co-production programmes, but has also enhanced our ability to absorb such offset related opportunities in future," he added.

Vice-President of Boeing Ms Mary Monica said: "The PAC can now work as a team member of the company and can also compete for future works." She said the PAC would be a member of Boeing's global supply chain and can provide quality parts at competitive prices.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was accompanied by the Minister for Defence Rao Sikandar, Minister of State for Defence Habibullah Warraich, Minister for Defence Productions, Minister of State for Defence Zahid Hamid and Minister of State for Environment Amin Aslam Khan.

Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat received the Prime Minister at the Minhas Air Base. He was briefed about the working and expansion plans of the PAC Kamra by the Chairman of PAC Board Air Marshal Aurangzeb.

The premier also witnessed the agreement signing ceremony for the manufacture of parts for Boeing by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.

Neo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will ask the US president to offer it cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

No formal agenda has been prepared for the summit talks between President General Pervez Musharraf and President George W Bush but Kashmir, terrorism and nuclear proliferation with reference to Iran are on top of the items to be discussed here and as well in New Delhi beside other issues.

It has become a foregone conclusion that Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Sigh will accept all the US conditions for cooperation in nuclear field. Indian fast breeder reactor (FBR) which will produce more plutonium than uranium poured in it will also come under safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Indians are asking for seven years exemption to their FBRs from IAEA’s safeguards. India is short of energy. It does not have much uranium to use in nuclear reactors. This situation will force India to get refuge in the lap of Americans, the sources said.

Diplomatic sources told The News that Pakistan would not have to face too many problems like India in bifurcation its civil and military programmes. US Under Secretary Nicholas Burns is in New Delhi and having marathon talks with his Indian counterpart, Shayam Saran.

It is expected that New Delhi and Washington will ink the agreement but it would be subject to approval of the US Congress. The next stage would be agreement with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for the supplies of fuel. The NSG works under an agreed framework where the safeguards are essential for obtaining supplies.

Pakistan is monitoring the Indo-US nuclear deal very closely since India has been using its so-called civilian nuclear programme for the military purposes. Indians have never come out with the chart of their uranium utilisation that makes their bifurcation plan dubious and for the same reason President Bush has been constrained to asking India time and again to make its separation of the two programmes "transparent".

AFP adds from Washington: US President George W Bush leaves on a maiden visit to South Asia this week determined to prod Pakistan to move more rapidly against al-Qaeda leaders believed to be hiding in the country and clinch a landmark nuclear deal with India.

The US leader is expected to nudge President Pervez Musharraf to commit more resources to capturing al-Qaeda kingpin Osama bin laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri, reportedly hiding in the NWFP.

Bush is expected to use quiet diplomacy to push the anti-terror agenda and for democratic reforms. He will tell Musharraf "perhaps a little more quietly, but ‘I wish you could do more on the borders,’" said Marvin Weinbaum, a former State Department analyst for Pakistan and Afghanistan. "He might very well bring up in the same vein: ‘And we’d like to see you crack down a little harder on your Jihadis, help out Afghanistan in that regard by going after the Taliban,’" Weinbaum said.