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Pakistan likely to buy 10 helicopters Mi-26 Russian
Islamabad had expressed interest in buying about 10 transport helicopter Mi-26 multipurpose.
Pakistan có khả năng mua 10 máy bay trực thăng Mi-26 của Nga - Tin tức - Kinh tế - Tiếng nói nước Nga
Pakistan is included in the list of countries where Russia can supply military equipment, military-diplomatic source in the Russian capital told ITAR -TASS.
He said that Pakistan is interested in large transport helicopters Mi-26. In addition, Pakistan “is interested in high-precision weapons, artillery, air defense systems, long-range missiles, guided missiles,” – the source said.
The largest suppliers of military equipment to Islamabad are China and the U.S., while Russia has traditionally supplied weapons to other major player in the region – India. According to open sources, Moscow supplied to Pakistan only 70 transport helicopters Mi-17/Mi-171 in 1996-2010.
Source: Pakistan included in the list of countries to which Russia can supply military equipment | newsworldrussia
Russia is a free player on the world arms market, but it is not excluded that the supplies to Pakistan will be coordinated with India and China. This was stated by Russian experts commenting on reports that Russia has placed Pakistan on the list of countries it might supply military products.
According to independent sources, Moscow had supplied about 70 Mi-17 / Mi-171 transport helicopters to Pakistan from 1996 to 2010. At present, Pakistan has shown keen interest in high precision weapons, air defence systems, artillery and long-range guided ammunition. It is also interested in the Mi-26 large transport helicopters.
Earlier, China and the U.S. have been the key suppliers of arms to Pakistan. Russia has traditionally been the largest weapon supplier to India. Concerning the impact of possible weapons supplies to Pakistan on Russia’s relations with these countries, director of the Centre for Public and Political Studies Vladimir Evseev has this to say.
“India understands that these supplies are stipulated by extremely negative developments in Afghanistan. When the U.S. blocks the purchase of Russian weapons for the Afghan army, cooperation between Russia and Pakistan is of crucial importance. Moreover, lately, relations between Pakistan and the U.S. have improved. Consequently, very complicated situation is building up here. On the one hand, Pakistan wants to have an alternative to American weapons. On the other hand, Russia wants to strengthen its position in the region. I can’t say that Russian-Indian relations will worsen on a background against possible supply of Russian weapons to Pakistan. Most likely, Russia will coordinate with India any form of military contacts with Pakistan. The reason here is that India and China are priority for Russia. As a whole, India should respond calmly if Russia coordinates its position with it,” Evseev said.
Russia’s intention to increase its share in the weapons market in Pakistan will surely trigger a mixed reaction in Beijing, says expert at the Institute of the Russian Far East Pavel Kamennov.
“China will be dissatisfied, of course. However, Russia is free on the world weapons market like the U.S. and other leading arms producers. It is free in choosing its partners. It is a different story that this might please somebody and disappoint some others. It is impossible to exclude possible consultations and exchange of information to this end. The reason is that Russia and China are strategic partners. There is always a political factor in weapons trade. However, this means that the Russian leaders have considered that there is a possibility of doing so,” Kamennov said.
Possible supply of Russian weapons to Pakistan will not cause tension in the Russia-China-India-Pakistan format, says president of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems Leonid Ivashov.
“Pakistan’s relations with India are strained. At least, there are no bloody conflicts over Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, India and Pakistan are observer-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and have made bids for its memberships. Russia actively supports India, while China – Pakistan. Consequently, in this case the balance of strength is changing in favour of forming a collective security system. If Russia wants to supply arms to Pakistan, it will have to discuss this matter with India because we have closer relations with it. We hold joint exercises and carry out joint researches to develop advanced weapons. Russia has no such relations with Pakistan. Consequently, Russia will establish closer relations with Pakistan without harming its cooperation with India. I believe this will happen smoothly,” Ivashov said.
If Russia does not supply Pakistan with necessary weapons, then other countries, especially its opponents, will do so. Russia has no intention to give up its position on the Pakistani market when it clearly has competitive advantages.
Read more:
Russia ready to supply Pakistan with military hardware - News - Politics - Russian Radio
