"Pakistan is a friend in need and also a friend in deed": Chief of Sri Lankan Army

Chief of the Pakistan Army General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited the Sri Lanka earlier this month.

During his visit he met with the Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne, Sri Lankan Army’s Chief Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, Secretary Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Chief of the Sri Lank’s Air Force Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, and Sri Lankan Navy’s Chief Vice Admiral D.W.A.S. Dissanayake.

Both sides discussed the possibilities for sharing Sri Lankan experience of fighting against the terrorists. Pakistan and Sri Lanka has longstanding defense ties. Pakistan has helped in Sri Lanka in its fight against LTTE a thirty year old terrorist group. Pakistan send military aid to the Sri Lankan armed forces when they were in dire need of support.

It was the time when western countries were forcing Sri Lanka to stop the military action and agree with the terms of LTTE but it was military aid and support from the Pakistan which allowed the Sri Lankan armed forces to defeat the LTTE.

Turkish Aerospace Industries is Upgrading Pakistani F-16A/B Fighter Jets

Pakistan Air Force’s Air Chief Rao Suleman has said that Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) is upgrading the its F-16A/B fighter jets.

Total value of the services of upgradation services will be around 75 million US Dollars. After the detailed negotiations contract was signed in on June 29, 2009 at a ceremony held in Rawalpindi-Pakistan between TAI and Pakistan Ministry of Defense Production.

Pakistan Air Force had ordered a total of 111 F-16A/B aircraft in early 1980s but 71 F-16 A/B were embargoed by the United States in 1990s.

A total of 28 out of these 71 F-16s were paid for and produced and later on sent to AMARC for storage. It was only after the 9/11 incident that US greed to sell new F-16 C/D Block 52+ aircrafts to the PAF and allowed the transfer of 14 of F-16A/B to PAF.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation Enables India to Produce 40 Nuclear Bombs Each Year: Pakistan

Pakistani ambassador Zamir Akram has strongly criticized the international community for its "discriminatory" actions regarding the nuclear program of India. He said the "discriminatory waiver" given to the India by the Nuclear Suppliers Group will allow India to increase its nuclear material stockpile for the manufacturing nuclear warheads.

He was addressing the disarmament conference organized by the UN. He said that such moves are helping India to increase its nuclear bomb making facility thus placing Pakistan at disadvantage. As reported earlier by the Pakistan Military Review, despite strong pressure from the US, Pakistan has blocked the FMCT negotiations because of such concerns.

Pakistani ambassador said that certain nations are violating each and every national and international laws regarding nuclear non proliferation just to accommodate India in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Project to Induct 'PNS Alamgir' in Pakistan Navy Suffers a Setback

Project to induct the PNS Alamgir in naval fleet of the Pakistan has suffered a major setback this Friday when it was damaged. Incident happened when PNS Alamgir’s engines were being tested after overhaul; it moved forward and crashed into the pier. Ship’s bow and hull suffered heavy damage in this incident.

In order to perform complete overhaul PNS Alamgir’s diesel engines were removed from the vessel and refitted latter. As part of renovation new navigation suite has been installed in the ship. Ship’s hull-mounted AN/SQS-56 active/passive sonar has also been completely overhauled.

Several other items including ship’s bridge, shafting, controllable pitch propeller system and Fuel tanks were inspected and renovated.

PNS Alamgir (F 260) is more than 30 years old Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate which was decommissioned by the USN last year and handed over to the Pakistan Navy. USS McInerney (FFG-8) was renamed PNS Alamgir (F 260) and officially re-commissioned into the PN on 31st August last year.

Pakistan Air Force Orders DB-110 Reconnaissance Pod for Its F-16s

Pakistan Air Force has placed an order worth $72 million for the DB-110 Airborne Reconnaissance Pod to improve the capabilities of its F-16 fighter jets against the terrorist groups hiding in the difficult terrain of FATA region.

Goodrich's DB-110 is designed for the intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance of the area of interest. It can capture images of the target area and transmit them through the data link to the ground stations in real time.

It is designed to meet the requirements of a reconnaissance pod capable of taking pictures of the target from long distances as well as from very close .Pictures taken by the pod can also be viewed by the pilot of the fighter jet. It is considered as the most advanced reconnaissance pod for the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

ISPR Launches Drama Series “Faseel-e-Jaan Se Aagay” Based on True Stories

Inter Services Public Relations has launched a new drama series “Faseel-e-Jaan Se Aagay” to shed some light on the sacrifices made by the brave sons of the mother land including the civilians.

This series will focus on the operation conducted by the Pakistan army with help from the civil services against the terrorist groups in the in area of Mingora.

Pakistan Air Force Inducts Turkish Electronic Warfare Test and Training Range

Last year Turkey has provided Pakistan Air Force with the EWTTR and it was officially inducted in the PAF on the 6th of this month. It was designed and developed by the Turkey’s defense contractor Havelsan. This system has already been supplied to the Turkey for its own air force in 1999.

PAF’s chief, Air Chief Marshall Rao Qamar Suleman and other top officials from the Pakistan Air Force were present at this occasion. Several high ranking officials from different Turkish defense firms and government side were also present there.

Pakistan Navy Commissions PNS Rah Naward

Pakistan Navy has commissioned the "PNS Rah Naward" a Brig type sailing vessel into its fleet.

PNS Rah Naward is 59.35 m long and has a displacement of 498 tons and it arrived in Karachi in December after traveling a distance of 7,000 nautical miles. It will be used by the Pakistan Navy for the training of its sailors.

PNS Rah Naward is equipped with the radars, satellite communication systems, fire control systems and other modern sensors to meet the training needs Pakistan Navy.

US Offer To Provide Six Shadow-200 UAV System to Pak Army

Pakistani government has made repeated requests to provide Pakistan army with its own surveillance and attack drones to effectively fight against the militants which use the long Pak-Afghan border to hide themselves. Last year, US offered to provide six tactical Shadow-200 UAV systems but the project has made no headways while whole year has passed.

Shadow-200 UAV carry infrared cameras to allow surveillance day and night but these light weight UAVs will not be able to carry weapons to attack the terrorists.

Pakistan’s Army has asked for the larger UAV with high endurance and they want it to be capable of carrying weapons to attack the terrorists but USA has denied this request several times by saying that this kind of UAV can be use against the Indians therefore USA is not allowing such UAVs.