Russia Is Willing 2 Sell Fighter Planes
ISLAMABAD: Russia is willing to sell Pakistan air defence missiles and fighter planes, reliable sources revealed here on Tuesday.
President Pervez Musharraf's landmark visit to Russia, which began from Tuesday, is a mission to build a concrete foundation for long-lasting cooperation on two key sectors -- energy and weapons, they said.
They said Moscow is willing to sell air-defence missiles to Pakistan, though likely not the S-300U missiles for which Musharraf will request to Russian President Vladimir Putin. From Moscow's point of view, according to the sources, Russia's recent aviation deals with India will more than make up for the new sales to Pakistan.
Pakistan is interested in buying Russian aircraft to help bolster its air force. Islamabad also seeks Russian supersonic anti-ship missiles, though Moscow is unlikely to sell either of these anytime in the near future, the sources said.
However, by steering clear of ground or naval supplies, Moscow can avoid straining ties with India or trying to compete with the Ukrainian arms industry's established relationships. The visit will also see Musharraf and President Vladimir Putin using the opportunity to redefine relations and increase strategic options for their respective nations, the sources said.
Musharraf's visit comes amid attempts by Moscow to establish relations with Pakistan independent of its ties with India -- much as Washington already has shifted away from the zero-sum approach to the South Asian rivals.
For both Musharraf and Putin, the visit is an opportunity to open a new set of political and economic options -- giving Islamabad greater leeway in international ties and strengthening Moscow's position in South and Central Asia.
These initial discussions are, however, unlikely to produce any major breakthroughs: Talk on Kashmir, Iraq, the war against terrorism and even economic cooperation are all general discussions with little chance of instantaneous payback.
But two areas where Moscow and Islamabad are likely to make concrete progress -- and lay the foundation for future cooperation -- will concern the energy and arms industries. During the visit, the two countries will sign four memoranda of understanding covering immigration, visas, debt rescheduling and cultural exchanges.
Delegates also will talk about the privatisation of Pakistani oil and gas companies, as well as Russian investment opportunities in energy and other economic sectors in Pakistan. Moscow will raise the issue of Chechen militants taking refuge in Pakistan, and it might offer to launch Pakistani satellites from Russian rockets.
Additionally, Putin and Musharraf will discuss broader issues of regional stability, Pakistan-Indian relations and cooperation on the anti-terrorism front. From Moscow's point of view, working with Pakistan is a chance to reclaim Russia's international prominence, since Moscow hopes to play the role of a mediator and peacemaker in Kashmir. It would also help secure Russia's southern flank, moving beyond Central Asia to the coast.
For Islamabad, building new ties with Moscow provides an opportunity to gain some assistance in dealing with India. Russia is India's top arms supplier and thus has a fair amount of leverage with the South Asian giant.
Pakistan hopes that Moscow reduces its arms sales to India or at least considers Pakistan's interests in any future weapons deals. In addition, Islamabad is looking to Moscow to expand its strategic ties internationally. Pakistan has seen first the US and then long-time ally China open new levels of dialogue with India, and leaders in Islamabad feel they must take similar steps to ensure that the international community continues to take its interests into account.
Although the broader strategic discussions will take years -- if not decades -- to develop, there are areas of concrete cooperation upon which the two nations plan to build their new relationship.
Both Islamabad and Moscow have similar, though not exact, interests in new oil and gas pipelines across Pakistan. Moscow sees these as a way to preserve Russian influence and involvement in any new export routes from Central Asia.
Islamabad sees Russian involvement as a way of strengthening the chances of projects success, and of reducing Indian resistance to having Pakistan as part of the energy supply corridor from Iran and Central Asia.
Sources say Musharraf will also raise the issue of building an oil pipeline from Kazakhstan through Central Asia to Pakistan, in addition to existing proposals for the Trans-Afghan gas pipeline and the Iran-India gas pipeline.
Both presidents see the real potential for defence cooperation as well. Moscow would like to enter the Pakistani arms market, but has been reticent due to potential objections from India and the competition from Ukraine. The first deals on the table are likely to be for air-defence equipment, including surface-to-air missiles and radars.
During the course of his visit, Musharraf will work to redefine Pakistan's relations with Russia and its position within South Asia and the world. Though this is an extremely ambitious goal -- and one unlikely to be accomplished quickly -- there is a very real confluence of interest in key projects, particularly in Pakistan's potential role as a trans-shipment route for Central Asian and Iranian oil and gas supplies. On this, and later on arms deals, lie the prospects for a new level of Pakistan-Russian cooperation.
ISLAMABAD: Russia is willing to sell Pakistan air defence missiles and fighter planes, reliable sources revealed here on Tuesday.
President Pervez Musharraf's landmark visit to Russia, which began from Tuesday, is a mission to build a concrete foundation for long-lasting cooperation on two key sectors -- energy and weapons, they said.
They said Moscow is willing to sell air-defence missiles to Pakistan, though likely not the S-300U missiles for which Musharraf will request to Russian President Vladimir Putin. From Moscow's point of view, according to the sources, Russia's recent aviation deals with India will more than make up for the new sales to Pakistan.
Pakistan is interested in buying Russian aircraft to help bolster its air force. Islamabad also seeks Russian supersonic anti-ship missiles, though Moscow is unlikely to sell either of these anytime in the near future, the sources said.
However, by steering clear of ground or naval supplies, Moscow can avoid straining ties with India or trying to compete with the Ukrainian arms industry's established relationships. The visit will also see Musharraf and President Vladimir Putin using the opportunity to redefine relations and increase strategic options for their respective nations, the sources said.
Musharraf's visit comes amid attempts by Moscow to establish relations with Pakistan independent of its ties with India -- much as Washington already has shifted away from the zero-sum approach to the South Asian rivals.
For both Musharraf and Putin, the visit is an opportunity to open a new set of political and economic options -- giving Islamabad greater leeway in international ties and strengthening Moscow's position in South and Central Asia.
These initial discussions are, however, unlikely to produce any major breakthroughs: Talk on Kashmir, Iraq, the war against terrorism and even economic cooperation are all general discussions with little chance of instantaneous payback.
But two areas where Moscow and Islamabad are likely to make concrete progress -- and lay the foundation for future cooperation -- will concern the energy and arms industries. During the visit, the two countries will sign four memoranda of understanding covering immigration, visas, debt rescheduling and cultural exchanges.
Delegates also will talk about the privatisation of Pakistani oil and gas companies, as well as Russian investment opportunities in energy and other economic sectors in Pakistan. Moscow will raise the issue of Chechen militants taking refuge in Pakistan, and it might offer to launch Pakistani satellites from Russian rockets.
Additionally, Putin and Musharraf will discuss broader issues of regional stability, Pakistan-Indian relations and cooperation on the anti-terrorism front. From Moscow's point of view, working with Pakistan is a chance to reclaim Russia's international prominence, since Moscow hopes to play the role of a mediator and peacemaker in Kashmir. It would also help secure Russia's southern flank, moving beyond Central Asia to the coast.
For Islamabad, building new ties with Moscow provides an opportunity to gain some assistance in dealing with India. Russia is India's top arms supplier and thus has a fair amount of leverage with the South Asian giant.
Pakistan hopes that Moscow reduces its arms sales to India or at least considers Pakistan's interests in any future weapons deals. In addition, Islamabad is looking to Moscow to expand its strategic ties internationally. Pakistan has seen first the US and then long-time ally China open new levels of dialogue with India, and leaders in Islamabad feel they must take similar steps to ensure that the international community continues to take its interests into account.
Although the broader strategic discussions will take years -- if not decades -- to develop, there are areas of concrete cooperation upon which the two nations plan to build their new relationship.
Both Islamabad and Moscow have similar, though not exact, interests in new oil and gas pipelines across Pakistan. Moscow sees these as a way to preserve Russian influence and involvement in any new export routes from Central Asia.
Islamabad sees Russian involvement as a way of strengthening the chances of projects success, and of reducing Indian resistance to having Pakistan as part of the energy supply corridor from Iran and Central Asia.
Sources say Musharraf will also raise the issue of building an oil pipeline from Kazakhstan through Central Asia to Pakistan, in addition to existing proposals for the Trans-Afghan gas pipeline and the Iran-India gas pipeline.
Both presidents see the real potential for defence cooperation as well. Moscow would like to enter the Pakistani arms market, but has been reticent due to potential objections from India and the competition from Ukraine. The first deals on the table are likely to be for air-defence equipment, including surface-to-air missiles and radars.
During the course of his visit, Musharraf will work to redefine Pakistan's relations with Russia and its position within South Asia and the world. Though this is an extremely ambitious goal -- and one unlikely to be accomplished quickly -- there is a very real confluence of interest in key projects, particularly in Pakistan's potential role as a trans-shipment route for Central Asian and Iranian oil and gas supplies. On this, and later on arms deals, lie the prospects for a new level of Pakistan-Russian cooperation.
