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Analysis: China offers Pakistan an alternative future

fatman17

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ANALYSIS
Date Posted: 06-Jan-2011


Jane's Defence Weekly


Analysis: China offers Pakistan an alternative future.

Beijing's defence trade relationship with Islamabad is giving the South Asian country the chance to develop its own industrial base. Farhan Bokhari reports

China is continuing to deepen its already close military ties with Pakistan as it seeks to retain a key role as a partner of a country that the United States also boasts as a close ally.

While the US and other Western powers focus on China's growing military presence in the Pacific and the implications for the security of Japan and the Korean Peninsula, Beijing is quietly building on its ties with Islamabad in an apparent step to expand its long-term role in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

China's partnership with Pakistan dates back to the 1960s when China sold the first batch of its fighter aircraft to Pakistan after Islamabad was placed under sanctions by the US following its military clash with India in 1965.

Beijing now appears to be assisting Pakistan in increasingly becoming an indigenous producer of conventional hardware - in sharp contrast to Pakistan's ties with the US, which are seldom based on transfer of advanced technology.

At least two factors appear to be driving this trend. While Pakistan's influential army is keen to seek advanced US weapons, it remains wary of prospects for a long-term partnership with the US, especially in view of Washington's developing ties with India as well as Pakistan's clash of interests with the US on Afghanistan.

Besides, notable advancements by China in manufacturing military hardware such as fighter aircraft and naval platforms have armed Beijing with growing self-confidence over its ability to broaden its reach beyond its immediate borders.

For China, offering support to Pakistan to further build up Islamabad's air combat and naval capabilities ensures that Beijing's area of influence within the IOR is indirectly widened while also countering India's development as a key Asian military power.

Meanwhile, scepticism in Pakistan towards the US was highlighted on 30 November 2010 when The Dawn , a Pakistani English-language newspaper, quoted an unnamed top military official as saying that Pakistan "has transited from the most sanctioned ally [in the 1990s] to the most bullied ally" of the US.

Many in Pakistan remember the 1990s as a period when the US withheld the deliveries of F-16 fighter aircraft on the grounds that Islamabad was embarking on a nuclear weapon programme. These deliveries continued to be blocked even though Pakistan had made partial payments under an agreed contract.

The feeling of being the "most bullied ally" came in a year that saw the US maintain pressure on Pakistan, urging Islamabad to launch a robust military campaign against Islamic militants in the north Waziristan region along the border with Afghanistan.

The Pakistani military has so far refused to open a new front until it is certain of launching a campaign that contains the insurgents within that area rather than allowing them to retaliate through attacks on key government and other targets.

However, the US agreed a USD2 billion military aid package with Pakistan in October 2010 to support counter-terrorism activities.

At the same time, recent signs of China's enthusiasm to meet Pakistan's defence needs were reiterated during a visit to Islamabad by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao in December 2010. In a joint communiqué issued after the visit the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to further military co-operation.

"The two sides agreed to step up personnel training, joint exercises, training and co-operation for national defence, science and technology and collaboration in defence production. The two sides also agreed to give further impetus to maritime security co-operation," said the communiqué.

Ahead of Wen's visit, Pakistan's navy signed a new contract for the purchase of two missile craft, each displacing 500 tonnes. One of the vessels is planned to be built at a shipyard in China, while the other will be built at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW): Pakistan's main naval shipyard.

The agreement appears to be a follow up to an earlier contract for China to supply four of its F-22P frigates to Pakistan alongside a batch of Z-9C helicopters. One frigate is presently under construction at the KSEW while the other three have been handed over to the Pakistan Navy.

Senior Pakistani government officials have said the two countries are considering further naval contracts including deals for frigates that are larger than the F-22Ps and possibly China's first foreign sale of a submarine.

On other fronts the JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft, which is produced jointly by the air force (PAF)-run Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra, north of Islamabad, and China, made its first international appearance at the Farnborough Air Show in 2010. The JF-17 is dubbed by Pakistani officials as "an ideal model of Sino-Pak co-operation".

With China's assistance, by the end of 2011 Pakistan expects to manufacture just below 60 per cent of the JF-17's components in a significant push to move this project towards a largely domestic production capability. Meanwhile, China has helped Pakistan to manufacture its Al-Khalid main battle tank for the army and has delivered the first of four ZDK-03 airborne early warning and control aircraft to the air force.

Pakistan's senior government officials have maintained that closer ties with China will not come at the expense of the country's ambition to work for close relations with the US and other members of the NATO alliance.

"We are not even remotely looking to turn away from the US. Relations with China are based on our need to fill important gaps that are vital for our security interests," one senior Pakistani government official told Jane's . However, with signs of tension appearing in Washington's relationship with Islamabad over Afghanistan and the situation in north Waziristan, it is likely that the perception of China as a "trusted friend" by Pakistan's decision makers will continue to promote prospects for long-term co-operation.

Farhan Bokhari is a JDW Correspondent, based in Islamabad
 
Currently so called US & European ally sells almost everything to India to widen the gap between two countries. It is the only path which will give us good future, once you have base then its is matter of brain to how to use it and our country have one of the best brain in the world.

We should also focus on our cruise missiles programme and we should increase its range and as well as MIRV should be plotter in it.
 
we need J 10 and new stelath chinese birds and subs and around new 15 ships from china and in next 8 years tme
 
Indeed, the Chinese seems to have "expections" nowadays of Pakistan. I hope the Chinese can keep that expectations in check.
 
its up to pakistan to make the most of this - i mean its not a bad position to have the two biggest super powers potentially offering pak "stuff" - soon american goodies will be closed off to us.

but that would mean......you know....leadership.
 
China need dependable strategic partner with economic passage in the region and Pakistan perfectly fits in their scenario. But few major forces in the region which are causing the region unstable. India want to confront China by building economic and defence might, but lag behind in all fields.
 
Hi, I do not think Pakistan will prosper any time soon. The country cannot feed or clothe its people, nor can it pay for itself and runs on charity. It is racked by internal dissent and fundamentalism and has absolutely no law and order. Yes, we are all proud of how it has started to build systems on its own, but these "heavy weapon" systems will never bring stability to that country.

Moreover, Pakistan as a nation should learn to stand on its own feet and not ask for handouts. If it improves the law and order situation, investment money will flow in, which will stimulate the economy and generate jobs. Being able to build stuff from China is nice, but will not improve the investment outlook of the country. Just look at Karachi, this is the financial hub of the country and every day people are getting shot and hurt. Who in their right mind would even want to invest there?

More importantly, this money could be used to improve power generation, which will increase or simply maintain industrial production and will keep people employed. This money could also be used to make the necessary structural changes required for the economy, like cutting down tax evasion, power theft, elimination of subsidies, etc. Take care.
 
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US in particular has been a non-reliable source of consistent military hardware supply to Pakistan. Also US equipment cannot be used in a conflict because based on every conflict in the past, Pakistan has military santions when it used US equipment against India.

Pakistan should pay more attention to local manufacturing and reduce dependence on western suppliers especially the US. US technology is good but no-good if Pakistan has to use it in combat.
 
Why can't we make Chinese or Russian a compulsory language till 2nd year text books. I mean giv choice to student that they have to acquire any three languages>>Urdu; Eng; Chinese/Russian/German.............
 
Hi, to answer your question... Teaching another foreign language or culture in Pakistan would require forward thinking, future vision and tolerance on the part of society there and its politicians. As such, good luck!

Moreover, you would run afowl of the "uneducated mullahs", who would claim it is unislamic and not allowed. Given the current situation in the country, right now no one has the guts to stand up to them. I will not say anymore, as I have no desire to derail this thread. Take care.
 
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The US is not better for any other nation. The Dutch government was split over their "rebuild" mission in Uruzgan. Now the same are hoping to rejoin Afghanistan with a "police" mission. No one here is positive about it but the government is servicing the USA for probably another job for a ex Dutch politician. That is how it works. Pakistani politicians are not understanding that game. Just like Pakistani voters they expect a free lunch every time. I think the army does understand the reality much better.
 
Hi, I do not think Pakistan will prosper any time soon. The country cannot feed or clothe its people, nor can it pay for itself and runs on charity. It is racked by internal dissent and fundamentalism and has absolutely no law and order. Yes, we are all proud of how it has started to build systems on its own, but these "heavy weapon" systems will never bring stability to that country.

Moreover, Pakistan as a nation should learn to stand on its own feet and not ask for handouts. If it improves the law and order situation, investment money will flow in, which will stimulate the economy and generate jobs. Being able to build stuff from China is nice, but will not improve the investment outlook of the country. Just look at Karachi, this is the financial hub of the country and every day people are getting shot and hurt. Who in their right mind would even want to invest there?

More importantly, this money could be used to improve power generation, which will increase or simply maintain industrial production and will keep people employed. This money could also be used to make the necessary structural changes required for the economy, like cutting down tax evasion, power theft, elimination of subsidies, etc. Take care.

Perfect post!
I agree with almost every word.

:cheers:

We need educated, progressive leaders with vision, not feudal thugs masquerading as politicians.
 
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relation between pakistan and china are tested over time .every time they come forward when ever pakistan is in trouble and have tried to help pakisan .pakistan's todays indigenous defence industry is symbol of co operation exist between two countries.with help of china pakistan have entered into the exclusive club of aircraft manufacturing tank building plant ans so on . the altrenative future offer by china is the future of self reliance and development .with the ever lasting relation pakistan will gain more than it lost by getting little far from ts so called western ally who only use pakistan and left it when the necessary is over . pakistan should exploit the opportunity to get economic help as well as defence co operation which will take pakistan to the height of a strong modern developed country .
 
Slowing down.. curbing our military expenditure.. and investing more in our infrastructure is the best way to go.. however...our percived threats are growing faster than what will allow us to take a breather and regroup.. the slowdown.. the years of economic blunders have left us unable to build anything effectively in terms of infrastrucure..or defence.
right now.. we're damned if we do it..damned if we dont.
what the chinese offer.. is a little help to go through with either...
The chinese dont just sell us everything to fullfill a strategic need..
there are other nations out there with equal or worse economies than ours and a lack lustre defence..
we are the open.. poster boys for chinese exports..our reputation is known..
and moreover.. they see a struggling country like their still able to keep competitive equipment..
it becomes a case of "ill have two of whatever he is having".
 
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