Pakistan's rearmament: own strength and import dependence

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Pakistan has managed to build a strong enough army capable of fighting all supposed adversaries. Such construction was carried out due to the modernization of its defense industry and the most active cooperation with foreign countries. As a result, Islamabad received well-equipped armed forces, which, however, are overly dependent on foreign suppliers.

With my own strength


Pakistan’s defense industry has a certain potential and gives it significant advantages over other countries in the region. However, in this regard, Pakistan cannot yet compare with its main friend in the person of China or India - its main competitor. At the same time, the lack of necessary technologies or the backlog in different areas is compensated by cooperation with more developed countries.




MBT Al-Khalid - a product of cooperation with China


The Pakistani defense complex includes about a dozen large organizations, which include other enterprises for various purposes. Research and production organizations are combined in complexes with division by industry. Thus, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is engaged in the development and production of aviation engineering, Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited is the main builder of machinery for fleetand the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission is developing the space direction.

Due to limited resources, Pakistan cannot at the same time fully develop all the necessary directions. Special attention is paid to the development and production of strategic nuclear missile and nuclear systems. Also obtained remarkable results in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles. The creation of new systems of infantry weapons, armored vehicles, etc. is less active.

In all major areas there is cooperation with more developed foreign countries. In addition to the simple purchase of finished samples, co-production is carried out. Also some samples weapons and equipment produced under license.

Own production


Pakistani ground forces have sufficient potential, but the share of their own products in them is low. For example, in the field of small arms and light infantry artillery systems, only a few types of hand grenades can be attributed to Pakistan’s own developments.


Pakistani ballistic missiles of various types


The most massive a tank Pakistan is the Al-Zarrar machine, a Type 59 Chinese medium tank, modernized by the joint efforts of the two countries. Also, the result of cooperation is MBT Al-Khalid. On its own, Pakistan under license produced an American-developed M113 armored personnel carrier and various vehicles based on it.

Missile forces and artillery are predominantly equipped with Chinese and American systems. The exception is the KRL-122 MLRS, created on the basis of the North Korean copy of the Soviet BM-21. In the area of ​​anti-aircraft weapons are used only imported artillery systems. The missile systems are predominantly foreign, but they have their own Anza MANPADS, created in collaboration with the PRC. The Sino-Pakistani interaction also led to the creation of the Baktar-Shikan and Bark ATGMs, suitable for use on various carriers.

Pakistani Army Aviation has several types of UAVs of different classes. Most of this technology was created independently or with Chinese help. Technique of this class is available and the Air Force. UAVs of various types are currently used only for reconnaissance, but later on, the appearance of percussion systems is possible.

In 2008, the JF-17 Thunder Chinese-made fighter-bomber assembly was launched at PAC enterprises. At the moment it is the only combat aircraft manufactured in Pakistan. Other equipment of this class has a foreign origin. The result of cooperation with Sweden was the PAC MFI-17 training aircraft.


The command and staff vehicle "Sakb" on the basis of the licensed BTR M113


Islamabad pays great attention to the development of the naval forces. In the past decade, the Navy received three submarines of the French project Agosta-90B. The lead ship was completely built in France, while the other two were assembled in Pakistan. Together with them are two Agosta-70 type diesel-electric submarines, built by France.

Based on the Chinese project of the frigate "Type 053H3" for Pakistan, the ship F22P "Zulfikar" was created. Three such frigates were built by the PRC, another one was assembled in Karachi. The fifth and sixth ships are still at different stages of construction. The result of similar cooperation were three Azmat type missile boats (“Type 037II”). In cooperation with foreign countries and independently, Pakistan has built less than a dozen small artillery and rocket ships and boats.

Strategic importance


Not without foreign assistance, Pakistan was able to create several of its own lines of ballistic and cruise missiles, now used as strategic weapons. By now, according to various sources, the Pakistani industry has accumulated the necessary experience and can independently develop this area.

The armament of the nuclear forces consists of short and medium range ballistic missiles of the Khatf, Gauri, Shahin and other families. in stationary and mobile versions. The most advanced models have a firing range of up to 2500-2700 km (MRSD "Shahin-3"), which allows solving strategic tasks within their region.


“Khamza” diesel-electric submarines, Agosta-90B avenue, assembled in Pakistan


Another area that has received particular attention is nuclear weapons. At the moment, according to various data and estimates, in the arsenals of Pakistan there are about 150 nuclear warheads with a capacity of no more than 50-100 kt. Such warheads can be used with different carriers: with ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as combat aircraft.

Own and others


As we see, an interesting trend is observed in the sphere of the material part of the Pakistani armed forces. Strategic weapons are developed and produced independently, although they were created with the help of foreign colleagues. In other areas, Pakistan is trying to develop its own production, but at the same time relies on international cooperation and procurement.

The reasons for this approach are obvious. The Pakistani defense industry is still not able to produce all the required products with the required quality and in the desired quantities. Because of this, our own efforts have to be concentrated on the most important areas, and others should be developed in the framework of international cooperation.

One of the results of this approach to rearmament is the lack of balance between different types of troops. The strategic nuclear forces of Pakistan and their weapons look highly developed and powerful compared to other countries in the region. At the same time, there is a lag in other directions. For example, in terms of the size and armament of the ground forces, Pakistan is noticeably inferior to India. The same applies to the process of re-equipment of the army.


The head frigate type "Zulfikar". The ship was built in China


However, even in such conditions, Islamabad can maintain a favorable situation for itself. Two main factors help him in this. The first is a long-standing fruitful military and political cooperation with Beijing. The Pakistani army has long enjoyed the benefits of such cooperation, and in a real armed conflict with a third country will be able to count on new assistance.

The second factor is a special defense doctrine, providing for the leading role of nuclear weapons. Pakistan reserves the right to use such weapons first in the event of military, political or economic threats from other countries. The nuclear threat and the willingness to implement it is a good deterrent compensating for the lag in conventional weapons.

Further development


Pakistan intends to further develop its defense industry without breaking ties with foreign suppliers. It is worth expecting that priority projects, as now, will be created independently, although not without help from abroad - in those areas where it is possible. Procurement abroad and co-production on certain conditions will also continue.

Pakistan now cooperates with several foreign countries, but the main stream of military products and production licenses come from China. Beijing is interested in making money on the products of its defense industry, and also solves problems of a political nature. Pakistan is regarded as a good ally in the confrontation with India.

Due to the production, joint development and procurement carried out according to such principles, the Pakistani army will gradually update its fleet of weapons and equipment, mastering new models. The result will be an increase in combat capability, which will allow Islamabad to more effectively meet the challenges of deterring and realizing its interests in the region.

Thus, one should not expect that in the foreseeable future, approaches to the modernization of the Pakistani army will seriously change. Pakistan is still not able to fully implement all its plans, but it can rely on PRC assistance and contracts with other countries. This means that dependence on imports will continue in the future, but Islamabad will try to derive maximum military and political benefits from it.
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  1. -7
    31 May 2019 05: 32
    Cyril, Pakistanis can sleep peacefully while the shadow of Beijing looms behind them! In the practical case, the Indians, as it was already inadequate, will crush the army of Islamobad. ..
    1. +4
      31 May 2019 07: 30
      No one will crush an army possessing nuclear weapons. Maximum cause a couple of defeats in border battles.
      1. -5
        31 May 2019 07: 35
        Krasnodar, and India doesn’t have any nuclear weapons, did you see it presented? Hindus, in local conflicts Pakistanis have always won - learn the story! And while both countries have nuclear weapons! It’s just that India in the region is in itself, and China has long and firmly stood behind Pakistan!
        1. +5
          31 May 2019 07: 42
          Since the receipt of nuclear weapons, there have been no big messes between them, the last major one ended in 1971. You don’t know, look at Vika laughing And, once again, an army possessing nuclear weapons can be stopped, they can attack at some border section, but no one will crush it, because the consequences of such a step can lead the devil knows what. India is most likely to win the nuclear war between them, but it will be a Pyrrhic victory and everyone understands this
    2. +2
      31 May 2019 07: 31
      first of all, behind their backs of Pakistan are their nuclear warheads ... China has never been a faithful ally to anyone but China itself ... And they will not get involved in the war ....
      1. +1
        31 May 2019 07: 35
        you forgot about the war in Korea in the 50s
      2. 0
        31 May 2019 07: 36
        China, like the United States, will not climb into the war itself! But it will help, turning the military conflict into its testing ground for testing the military equipment of its production.
        1. 0
          31 May 2019 07: 48
          Quote: Graz
          you forgot about the war in Korea in the 50s

          I didn’t forget, it was a payment for the industrialization of China and help during the war with the current party of Taiwan ... If you do not remember, then before the war in Korea, the Chinese could not assemble the Wright brothers’ plane from scratch, and after that they already assembled the MiG-15 , 17, 19, 21, received nuclear weapons and much more ...
  2. +2
    31 May 2019 08: 34
    Russia and Pakistan are preparing to sign a contract for the modernization of 320 T-80UD tanks delivered to this country by Ukraine in 1996. It can be seen that Ukrainian specialists could not provide the proper level of work. When I worked in Pakistan, cooperation with Ukrainian firms was intense.
    1. -5
      31 May 2019 09: 24
      Then they put 500 tanks. Upgrade 320. And where is the remainder?
      1. +3
        31 May 2019 12: 26
        Do not invent, 320 tanks were delivered. The contract provided for technical support, spare parts supply, training.
    2. 0
      5 June 2019 12: 11
      Quote: Major48
      Russia and Pakistan are preparing to sign a contract for the modernization of 320 T-80UD tanks delivered to this country by Ukraine in 1996

      there is still no contract. Some rumors.
      And MTO from Kharkov regularly goes to Islamabad.
      In March 2019, the state-owned company Ukrspetsexport delivered to 304 Spares Depot EME (Pakistan) another batch of 6TD-2 459M.TU and 6TD-1 459I.TU engines manufactured by the State Enterprise "V.A.Malyshev Plant" the amount of 4,653 million dollars.
      Let us recall that in 2018 the State Enterprise "Plant named after V.A.Malyshev" shipped 45 engines to Pakistan - 6TD-2 459M.TU at a price of 376026 dollars for each and 6TD-1 459I.TU at a price of 317520 dollars for each.
      Engine 6TD-2 459M.TU, diesel, two-stroke opposed 6-cylinder, turbocharged, 882 kW. (1200 hp) is intended for installation on an MTU tank Al-Khalid.
      The engine 6TD-1 459I.TU, diesel, two-stroke opposed 6-cylinder, turbocharged, with a capacity of 735 kW (1000 hp) is designed for installation on the MTU of the T-80UD tank.

      The announcement of the signing of the contract was made by the vice president of the state-owned Pakistan Taxila company, General Anwar Noman, did not pay off. Maybe for now, but maybe completely.
  3. 0
    31 May 2019 10: 13
    By the way, the JF-17 turned out to be a very good aircraft, with Chinese radar, good weapons, the packs even plan to sell it
  4. 0
    31 May 2019 14: 59
    Of course, China's role in the life of Pakistan, in the economy and in the military sphere is very great. However, the gradual drift towards Russia is indicative. Already 15 years ago, while working in Pakistan, I heard more than once that Pakistanis are "tired" of Chinese tutelage.

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