mavaustinit is a fact that Clinton was a pro-PRC president and favored china to have the MFN status for open trade including dual use technology transfer.
In the beginning of this year there was even a news that last days of Clinton also approved a merger of Chinese firm with a US firm that produced seekers for missiles and guidance related equipment. Congress demanded investigation into it but I think nothing came out of it.
Whether single crystal blade technology was transfered or not, we won’t know until Kun Lun’s specs are made public but fully FBW bit is true. Chinese have experimented it on K-8 platform as well as A-5 testbeds. Corbato would be a better person to explain.
US also allocated $300 million for pakistan related military sales in its own militay budget which speaks volume of bypassing the congress approval hurdle.
mavaustinThis is cross posted from pakdef, hence the ref. to IDEAS thread.
Janes defence weekly current issue
Pakistan hopes to finalise the purchase of 18 to 25 F-16 multirole fighter aircraft from the US during the first half of 2005, senior Pakistani officials have said. This follows the US Department of Defense notifying Congress on 15 November of its intention to sell Islamabad an unrelated Foreign MilitarySale(more detail see http://jdw.janes.com)… 19-Nov-2004,
last september at IDEAS 2004 lochheed martin & Ratheon show its AMRAAM 120C5 (see ideas2004 Threat) BVR missile , Sniper ex/ Pantera (see ideas2004 Threat) advance targeting pod, Longshot (see ideas2004 Threat) standoff weapons delivery kits for PAFs F-16s
( flight international report) Pakistan’s army is planning a major revamp of its helicopter fleet, including the purchase of new attack, scout and utility aircraft, to be funded primarily using aid from US government. bell helicopter is poised to be the main benefactor of the fleet renewal process, having sold AH-1 cobras, UH-1hueys and Bell 206B jet rangers to Pakistan before the imposition of a US arms ban that was lifted in 2001.
However, Sikorsky is also trying to break into the recently reopened market with its UH 60 Black Hawk utility and madical evacuation helicopter , and is expected to soon appoint a local agent to lead its sales campaign.
The overhaul will be made possible by the US government’s promise of 1.5 billion in military aid over the next five years in return for islamabad’s continued military support along the Afghan border. The army’s estimated $400 million share includes around $200 million for the lease of 26 bell 412s, $100 million for 40 new bell 407s, $60 million to acquire and refurbish 20 cobras drawn from the US excess inventory and $30 million to refurbish Pakistani 20 cobras, (Lockheed martin and Raytheon display Hawkeye XR(see ideas2004 Threat) target sight system see http://www.missilesandfirecontrol.com new TOW missiles and hellfire 11 missile for cobras, (see ideas2004 Threat)
A further purchase 10 Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuils (see ideas2004 Threat) will be funded from pakistan’s national defence budget , with these to replace the army’s Aerospatial SA315 Lamas and SA316 Alouette llls ( Eurocopter display its Ecureuils helicopter with pakistani camuflagge at IDEAS 2004).
The $1.5 billion will also fund a Mid Life Update to airforce’s 32 Lockheed Martin f-16AB fighters and the purchase of 6 or 8 additional used maritime P3C Orion maritime petrol aircraft for the navy( Lockheed Martin display its Orion advance version MMA(see ideas2004 Threat) with pakistani colore scheme for PN’s Orion upgrade programme)
Pakistan is expected to spend a further $1. 5 -2 billion on military modernisation over the next five years, with the bulk of this on Chinese equipment, such as Chengdu JF-17 and K-8 trainer aircraft.
mavaustinfor those of you who thought congress and the democratic goons could stop the military sales can see that US govt allocated the money in US military budget to bypass that process and also gave pakistan the non-nato ally role.
mavaustinabove news is by an indian source.
here is another one
India Warns U.S. on Arms Sales to Pakistan
Fri Nov 19,10:54 PM ET
By Carol Giacomo, Diplomatic Correspondent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – India warned on Friday that new American arms sales to Pakistan could harm improving New Delhi-Washington ties as well as a promising dialogue between the South Asia’s two nuclear rivals.
During talks in Washington, top Bush administration officials raised U.S. concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities but Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said his government was “not really in a position to pass judgment.”
Saran met Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice (news – web sites) before she went into the hospital for minor surgery and also had meetings with Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, among others.
Washington is improving relations with the world’s largest democracy, attracted by its booming technology expertise and commercial market, but India’s nuclear weapons capability and ties with Iran are a serious concern.
A defense official said last month the administration would consult Congress on Pakistan’s nearly 15-year quest for advanced F-16 fighter aircraft. Under U.S. law, Congress must approve such deals.
Pakistan became a vital ally in the war on terrorism after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Saran said he was told the administration has not decided whether to go forward with the F-16 sale.
But he told a news briefing: “When I met the secretary of state-designate, I did raise our strong concerns at reports of impeding arms sales by the United States to Pakistan.
“We pointed out the repercussion that such supplies could have on the ongoing India-Pakistan dialogue which was poised at a rather sensitive juncture.”
India has began a cautious peace process with Pakistan and announced the withdrawal of some troops from the disputed region of Kashmir (news – web sites).
IMPACT ON RELATIONS
Saran noted that during President Bush (news – web sites)’s first term of office U.S.-India relations improved significantly.
“So in this context, the supply of sophisticated weaponry to Pakistan will inevitably impact on the positive sentiments and good will that has come to characterize U.S.-India relations,” he added.
U.S. officials assured Saran that Bush is committed to advancing relations with India. Washington supports the India-Pakistan dialogue and will continue to press Pakistan to end cross-border attacks, they told him.
The administration has accused Iran of vigorously pursuing a nuclear weapons program and the issue is an urgent challenge facing Bush as he begins a second term. Tehran insists it only wants nuclear technology to generate electricity.
Although Saran said his government has an impeccable record of protecting its nuclear technology, the United States recently imposed sanctions on two Indian scientists for alleged nuclear cooperation with Iran.
After New Delhi protested that the men did no wrong, Washington agreed to “review” the sanctions. Saran said there has been no decision.
He said U.S. officials voiced their concerns about Iran and he reiterated India’s view that Iran should adhere to its international commitments.
mavaustini think in regards to Ereiye, its not a demo rather a testing of systems to evaluate in the mountain region of northern pakistan.
mavaustinok guys, a question.
What sort of upgrade these 8 orions are getting plus the two PN operates now. Any speculations or inside news?
mavaustinnow the senate and congress has majority republicans, no one is gonna listen to these guys.
mavaustinPN is also buying 4 F-22P frigates from china, PHALANX could be for those.
mavaustinis it the 4th mirage in last 30 days
Indian jet crashes
NEW DELHI, Nov 10: A Mirage 2000 jet fighter of the Indian Air Force crashed near Gwalior late on Tuesday night.
According to IAF officials, the jet crashed at about 9.15 pm (local time), while on a routine training flight from the Gwalior air base, Hindustan Times reported.
Further details were not immediately available, and the status of the pilot was not known, IAF officials said.-APP
mavaustini wouldnt assume the otherwise, atleast not yet…. PAF is planning to have at least 3 different BVRs to my knowledge so if one’s tech is compromised in war you have at least 2 to fall back on.
same was said about al-khalid when T-84s were bought.
mavaustinPakistan has been looking into Chinese and Ukranian AWACS killer since 2002. Ukrain has also come up with some BVR missile based on AA-12 but longer range. This is all based on rumors so don’t quote me on that. Pakistan could be looking into both systems and might be a big deal about to be signed.
mavaustin2003 Pakistani-Saudi Pact Bears Fruit
Trainer Jets Delivered
By RIAD KAHWAJI, DUBAI
Pakistan has delivered the first of 20 training jets to Saudi Arabia, the first fruit of a 2003 defense cooperation pact between the Islamic nations.
Signed early last year, the accord paved the way for the Royal Saudi Air Force’s purchase of 20 Super Mushhak aircraft, built by Pakistani Aeronautical Complex and slated for delivery by year’s end, a Pakistan official said.
The pact also covers a major land forces modernization package, defense industrial technology, troop training and possibly naval vessels, an industry source said. Next year, Pakistan will start delivering Al-Khalid tanks to the Saudi Army, according to press reports quoting Pakistani Maj. Gen. Ali Baz.
Neither Baz nor Saudi officials would give the value or size of the deals. Manufactured by Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila, the Al-Khalid is based on the T-90 2M, a Chinese version of the Russian T-90, and uses Ukrainian engines and a Chinese-designed 125mm gun. Pakistan’s Army began taking delivery of Al-Khalids in September, accepting the first 42 of a 300-tank order.
An analyst in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, who follows Pakistani defense issues, said the land forces deal was worth about $1.2 billion, and included 65 tanks, up to 400 M113 Al Hamza armored infantry fighting vehicles and a number of SAKB armored command carriers and support vehicles. About 250 of the Al Hamzas will be armed with Baktar Shikan wire-guided anti-armor missile launchers and up to 5,000 missiles, both built by Kahuta Research Laboratory, the analyst said.
The analyst said most of this equipment would be used by a Pakistan Army armored brigade slated to be deployed in Saudi Arabia from 2005 through 2009.
A Western industry official said the two nations also had been talking for more than a year about a potential Saudi purchase of diesel-powered Agosta 90B submarines built by Pakistan’s Naval Dockyard in Karachi.
Pakistani and Saudi defense officials declined to comment about any submarine discussions, but acknowledged that talks are under way on several programs.
Islamabad is trying to make oil-rich Saudi Arabia dependent on all manner of Pakistani arms and equipment, said Talat Masood, an Islamabad-based defense analyst and a retired Pakistani Army lieutenant general.
Pakistan could put the revenues toward developing new weapons and gear, and could cooperate with Saudi industry on joint projects to build aircraft and tanks, said Masood.
“Pakistan is the No. 1 Muslim strategic ally to Saudi Arabia,” said Anwar Eshki, chief executive of the Middle East Center for Strategic and Legal Studies, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia has always provided financial and political backing to Pakistan and is now seeking to improve military cooperation and exchange of defense technology.”
Pakistan also depends on Saudi Arabia for energy, said Shireen Mazari, director general of the Pakistan Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad.
An Oct. 12 ceremony in Pakistan to mark the delivery of the first Super Mushhaks was attended by a Saudi military delegation led by Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the assistant defense and aviation minister for military affairs. During the delegation’s three-day visit, the prince met with President Pervez Musharraf and toured defense industrial facilities. The visit coincided with the Oct. 12 test-firing of Pakistan’s Hatf V, or Ghauri, nuclear-capable intermediate ballistic missile.
Pakistani-Saudi defense ties are improving as Islamabad’s archenemy, India, strengthens its relationship with Israel.
Some Israeli and U.S. newspapers reported earlier this year that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to cooperate on nuclear weapons. Saudi and Pakistani diplomats in the United States denied the reports, and U.S. officials said they had seen no evidence to support the “bald assertions.”
Middle East analysts dismissed the allegations.
“Reports of Pakistani-Saudi nuclear collaboration are false and baseless simply because Saudi Arabia does not even have the technological infrastructure to support a nuclear cooperation program,” Masood said.
Added Eshki, a retired Saudi Army major general: “Riyadh cannot be seeking nuclear weapons at a time it is urging their removal from the region.” •
mavaustin3rd mirage crash? well 2nd was just a damage wasn’t it. I guess 2 write offs so far in past few weeks.
mavaustin2nd crash in a month?
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