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Forty Chinese Fighter Aircraft Arrive In Pakistan
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| Chinese Premier, Zhu Rongji, and Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf |
Report by IOL correspondent, Aamir Latif
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 11 (IslamOnline) - Amid rising tensions with its nuclear arch rival, India, and mounting pressure from the United States for cracking down on “Islamic activists” at home, Pakistan has received the first batch of 40 Chinese-made fighter aircraft, reliable sources told IslamOnline Friday, January 11, 2002.
China said the supply of arms to Pakistan had no link with the current tense situation in the region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Sun Yuxi, told reporters at a regular press briefing in Beijing Thursday, January 10, that China had normal military trade relations with some countries, including Pakistan.
Under the deal, which is not related to the current crisis between Islamabad and New Delhi, the first consignment of 10 F-7PG fighter aircraft was delivered to Pakistan in December 2001, and the rest would be delivered this year, defense sources said.
The sources confirmed the delivery of the planes and the deal itself had no connection at all with the current crisis between India and Pakistan. "It was a deal which was made early last year," a source said.
Defense analysts, however, observed that China has sped up the delivery to reduce a marked imbalance between Indian and Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
China also made a speedy delivery of spares and related equipment for Pakistan's strategic assets through Korakram highway, a little before the snow created major obstacles on this crucial communication line between Pakistan and China, it was earlier reported.
"This timely assistance from China, that instantly enhanced the combat capability of Pakistan Air Force by 40 10 F-7PG fighter aircrafts and several squadrons of brand new Super-7 and F-7, also narrowed a dangerous 1:2 ratio of air force planes between India and Pakistan", a PAF official, who refused to be named, told IOL correspondent.
Before the Chinese assistance reached Pakistan last week, the Indian Air Force had 730 aircraft compared to PAF's 340. Because of military security reasons, Pakistani officials are withholding the exact number of fighter aircraft added to the PAF with Chinese assistance in the last few weeks.
Pakistan now depends more on China, as the United States and Britain are hesitant to resume defense supplies, despite Pakistan's support of the international coalition in the war on Afghanistan, analysts said.
Both Britain and the United States are also averse to the sale of new high-tech military hardware to Islamabad, except some armaments for border security.
British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, pledged closer defense and economic cooperation during his visit to Islamabad. He urged Pakistan to act strongly and decisively against militant groups, some of which are allegedly involved in extremist and sectarian acts of violence.
Islamabad has received a similar message from the United States.
However, Pakistan has received a $600 million cash grant from the United
States since offering unstinted support to the U.S.-led coalition. Most of it was consumed in additional border patrols.
The United States, European Union and Britain are apparently backing off from their promised free access to U.S. and western markets for Pakistani textile exports and from their defense supplies.
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