PAK - AUSTRALIA STRATEGIC DIALOGUE HELD AT JSHQ

[fatman17]

Inter Services Public Relations

No /2008-ISPR Dated 7-5-08

PAK - AUSTRALIA STRATEGIC DIALOGUE HELD AT JSHQ

Rawalpindi May 7, 2008. Air Chief Marshal Agnus Houston, Australian Chief of Defence Forces; who is currently on a two days visit to Pakistan held Second Pak – Australia Strategic Dialogue with Chairman Joint Chiefs Of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid at Joint Staff Headquarters today. The meeting focused on matters of regional security, strategic cooperation and enhancement of defence ties between the two countries.
While discussing the current security environment in the region, General Tariq Majid highlighted that Pakistan and Australia share a common desire to curb the menace of terrorism and extremism for achieving peace and stability in the region. Mentioning the steps taken to prevent illegal cross border movement of miscreants in bordering Afghanistan, he reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to continue its support and assistance to Afghanistan in its reconstruction efforts. He also shared the nature and extent of Pakistan’s collaboration with the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan and emphasised that Pakistan always supports international efforts in Afghanistan and considers that a stable Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan as well as the region.
.Dilating upon the mutual relations between the two countries, CJCSC expressed keen desire to develop strong, multi faceted and long lasting relationship with Australia as it is one of the key players in Asia Pacific region and ASEAN Regional Forum. He also focussed on enhancing military to military cooperation between the two countries and proposed a visit of technical delegation from Pakistan to Australia to evaluate the specific areas of cooperation which was agreed upon by Australian CDF.
Later both leaders attended the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, senior military and civil officials from both sides were present at the occasion. The dialogue included discussion on security perspective of Pakistan, its role in GWOT; From Australian side, its defence forces current operations in Afghanistan as well as strategic policy in the region was presented. The Australian Chief of Defence Forces appreciated Pakistan’s contribution in the fight against terrorism and logistic support to the Australian troops operating in Afghanistan. He expressed Australian Armed Forces’ desire to enhance bilateral relations with Pakistani counterparts. During the dialogue the Australian side made concrete proposals to increase military cooperation between the two forces.
Earlier on arrival at Joint Staff Headquarters the Australian Chief of Defence Forces was received by Chairman Joint Chiefs Of Staff Committee. A smartly turned out tri service contingent presented guard of honour to the distinguished guest. Principal Staff Officers were also introduced to the dignitary.

 

[IceCold]

This is strange. Since when did australia come into the equation of having a strategic relationship get develop between pakistan and australia. Last time we checked australia was at the fore front of building an anti china and pakistan block.

 

[PakistaniPatriot]

Yeah I mean Australia. Since when did we had or started to have a relationship with these guys. Its like a fish on land; Australia in Pakistan. I wonder what Angus has up his sleeve.

 

[sohailbutt]

guys, listen up, it's easy to make enemies, but it is very difficult to make good friends, i dont care wut that Aussie is up to but he has come to prove that he wants to start a new relationship with Pakistan, so let it be, we would gain alot by this new relationship

 

[Quwa]

The Australians have a lot of good trade ties with the Chinese, learning a thing or two from them would help if we intend to adopt the much coveted "look-East" policy. In economic and trade terms the Australians would be that third support element b/w China & Pakistan.

Also, the Australians and Chinese have several deep R&D agreements in clean-usage of coal and other areas such as using coal for jet fuel & sustainable industrial development, etc. If we intend to make use of the supposed 2nd largest coal reserves in Pakistan, then solid cooperation from the Australians in technology and support would be desired. I would rather rely on the Australians in coal-related stuff than their nuclear fuel supply!

We should also be cooperating with the Qataris in making use of our gas reserves...especially converting some of it into LNG for our industrial use.

On another note...Australia is another country seeking to become a robust hydrogen energy producer - especially in fuel-cell technology. A couple of years ago there was a research paper in Pakistan which proposed use of coal-based fuel-cells as a basis for a hydrogen program - hence also pushing hydrogen production in Pakistan. I have noticed that Pakistan was forming 'strategic relations' with hydrogen-interested countries like Turkey, Germany, China and now Australia.

 

[fatman17]

australia wants to be a major world player esp in the economic and trade area and pakistan should encourage this aspect of the relationship. as mark sien has stated energy is a important area of co-operation. we have the raw material and the aussies the expertise. this relationship can be mutually beneficial. i dont see much scope for military-to-military co-operation as the aussies like pakistan also purchase their major weapons systems from the US and EU.

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

Good for Australia!

 

[araz]

Good for Australia!

Sir Saleem.
It might have meant 50 mirages less for you to deal with if you had,nt fingered the Ausies in the Straits of Malaca
regards
Araz

 

[Quwa]

Pakistan seeks spy planes from Australia

Brendan Nicholson, Islamabad
May 12, 2008


PAKISTANI officials are expected in Australia soon seeking to buy equipment including unmanned surveillance aircraft to help patrol Pakistan's mountainous and porous border with Afghanistan.

The equipment request was made during a visit to Islamabad by Australian Defence Force chief Angus Houston, who was also asked to provide Pakistani personnel with training in sophisticated counter-terrorism techniques and a range of security equipment used by the ADF, police and immigration officials.

Pakistan shares a 2400- kilometre border with Afghanistan and is increasingly seen as a key to success in the war being waged by NATO forces against insurgents from the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

The colonial border cuts through the traditional mountain lands of the Pashtun people, who have had thousands of years' experience fighting foreign invaders.

After talks with members of Pakistan's armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Houston confirmed to The Age that the Pakistani officers were particularly keen to obtain the Scan Eagle pilotless reconnaissance aircraft Boeing builds in Australia.

The tiny aircraft is fitted with cameras that can be used by night or day and has proven successful when used by Australian troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It provides a very effective way to see what's on the other side of the hill without getting your head shot off," a veteran soldier told The Age.

Air Chief Marshal Houston said that because Afghanistan was landlocked, Australia relied heavily on sea, air and land access through Pakistan for its troops and equipment.

"For a long time, they've been a very important partner in our endeavours in Afghanistan," he said.

The defence chief said Pakistani authorities had to try to control a long border in rugged country with crossing points used constantly since colonial times. They had five army divisions along the border and had suffered heavy casualties fighting extremists there.

He said there could well be great benefit in having ****- stan engaged with Australia's defence industries.

"We think engagement with Pakistan is a vital part of getting the right outcomes in Afghanistan."

Pakistani military officers in Islamabad were clearly frustrated by assumptions among many Western commentators that they could easily defeat the Taliban.

They told The Age that NATO and its allies must negotiate with moderate members of the Taliban if there was to be any hope of peace. The officers said they were convinced there could not be a military solution in Afghanistan.

"There has to be a mix of solutions and a lot of work has to be done on the political system and on economic development," one said.

If more people had jobs, fewer would be willing to fight for the Taliban, he said.

The Pakistani officers scoffed at suggestions their country was encouraging the Taliban and said 12,000 Pakistani soldiers had been killed fighting terrorists and another 14,000 seriously wounded in the past two years.

This story was found at:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...444243835.html

 

[sohailbutt]

I think Scan Eagle if Pakistan gets it can give a big boost in border patrol's by these unmanned aircrafts, also we shuld request States to give us Predator aircraft which can be equipped with Hellfire missiles n both the smugglers n terrorists can be engaged without any direct interraction between our soldiers n these extremist's.

we shuld also try to fence some parts of the border which will surely reduce taliban crossing into Pakistan, without being noticed by the border patrol's.

 

[fatman17]

scan eagle will require american approval if it is manufactured by Boeing in australia. the US could scuttle this request.

 

[fatman17]

http://www4.janes.com

Pakistan pursues purchase of ScanEagle UAVs

Trefor Moss JDW Asia-Pacific Editor - London

Pakistan is seeking to buy ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Australia to tighten security and support military operations along its 2,400 km border with Afghanistan.

Pakistani officials voiced their interest in obtaining the Boeing Australia-built UAVs during a visit to Islamabad by Australian Defence Force (ADF) chief Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston on 12 May. They also requested that Australia provide counterinsurgency training and security equipment.

ACM Houston confirmed that the Pakistanis were keen to buy the ScanEagle to bolster their border operations, according to Australian newspaper The Age , adding that "engagement with Pakistan is a vital part of getting the right outcomes in Afghanistan".

The ADF has been operating the ScanEagle - contracted from Boeing pending the arrival of its own I-View UAVs - since July 2007.

The 1.2 m-long ScanEagle has a wingspan of 3.05 m, a service ceiling of 16,000 ft and an endurance of more than 15 hours. It is equipped with electro-optical, infrared and high-resolution video cameras, enabling the operator able to track stationary and moving targets.

Pakistan's interest in procuring the ScanEagle is the latest sign that the country is responding to criticism from NATO member states contributing to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan that Pakistan needs to do more to tackle Taliban forces on its side of the border.

Brigadier General Mark Milley, Deputy Commanding General for Operations, ISAF Regional Command - East, told Jane's earlier in May that Pakistan was now co-operating very closely with ISAF and Afghan forces and that the first of a string of joint border co-ordination centres aimed at promoting effective cross-border operations was now up and running.

 

[IceCold]

One thing is beyond understanding, why are we going for so many different UAVs platforms? We have an italian one( correct me if i am wrong on the origin of the country), then we have the indegineous one and now for the australian one.

 

[fatman17]

One thing is beyond understanding, why are we going for so many different UAVs platforms? We have an italian one( correct me if i am wrong on the origin of the country), then we have the indegineous one and now for the australian one.

requirements are changing plus it may have to do with service ceiling and endurance. in the scan-eagle case 16,000 ft and 15 hours.