By: Azhar Azam
In flurry of US radical spells over Pakistan discounting the country’s unprecedented support on terrorism across areas – Pakistan continues to take protective measures to distance itself from a fitful ally United States and warming up its to former foe Russia.
In a recent development, 70 mountain shooters from Pakistan armed forces arrive in Russia to conduct second consecutive bilateral military drills, dubbed as Druzhba 2017 or Дружба 2017 (Friendship 2017). The tactical exercise will include a total of 200 personnel from both the countries.
The 2-weeks joint defense exercises will start from September 24 through October 4 in a mountainous area near Nizhny Arkhyz. More than 100 troops from Russian military mountain riffle brigade will also attend the armed maneuvers comprising over 20 mountain war drills at an altitude of up to 2.3 thousand meters above the sea level.
Meanwhile, Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will also be visiting Moscow in the first week of October 2017. The General’s first-ever trip as army chief is spotted vital in wake of building a ‘substantial partnership’ especially in the field of military cooperation and also in the backdrop of the new strategic alliances in the region.
Pakistan has been leaning toward Russia for the past few years after US abrupt curve to India to stem the China’s growing influence in the region. On the other hand, Indian stony behavior riled Russia – forcing Moscow to redesign its policy amid major policy shifts in South-East Asia.
Last year, Russia not only regretted Indian plea to include Pakistan a terror-sponsor country in BRICS declaration, Goa but also declined to abort military exercises (Friendship 2016) in the aftermath of Uri attacks.
Russia, together with China, helped Pakistan and tiled the way for Islamabad’s membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and also keenly participated in Pakistan defense and military exhibition, IDEAS-2016 (Arms for Peace).
Responding to Trump’s newly unveiled Afghan policy that slammed Pakistan, Russian special envoy to Afghanistan panned US – pronouncing Pakistan a key regional player to negotiate with’ and urged it must not be pressurized that may seriously destabilize peace in region.
Just recently, Russia delivered four (4) Mi-35M helicopters destined at military-to-military relations between Islamabad and Moscow. Russian Mi-35M choppers are most likely to replace part of Pakistan’s aging military fleet of US AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.
Director Coordination DEPO, Major General Waheed Mumtaz confirmed the Russian daily in Moscow on Friday at International Military-Technical Forum (Army 2017). ‘The contract was signed, we received all four cars and now we get new equipment.’
Pakistani pilots are adapting to the new helicopters and based on the performance of gunships, Pakistan can order additional military equipment and platforms to Russia – General further noted. According to some reports, Pakistan could purchase up to a total of 20-units from Russia.
The deal upshots after high level military delegation visit to Kremlin in June 2015 led by the-army chief General Raheel Sharif. Sharif has been at an arms expo near Moscow and seemingly was very impressive while inspecting of the weapon systems and live demonstrations.
Mi-35M is a latest variant of Mi-24V Hind by ROSOBORONEXPOR and can be multi-tasked in attacks, troops-carrying, transport, and ambulance (medevac) versions. The latest inclusion will greatly boost Pakistan’s military capability and develop its close air support (CAS) requirements in counter-insurgency (COIN) operations.
The helicopter is equipped with a powerful onboard weapon system – a flexible mount (with 450 rounds), up to 80 unguided rockets, up to 8 anti-tank guided missiles, and 12.7mm Kord machine guns. It best harmonizes for mountainous terrains and can be deployed ‘round the clock’ in adverse weather conditions.
‘The Barq laser-guided air-to-ground missile (AGM) produced by the National Engineering and Scientific Corporation (NESCOM) for use by the Burraq armed drone could be an ATGM/AGM option for the Mi-35M’, according to Quwa.
The Defense News and Analysis Group also highlights some reports about Pakistan’s interest in Russian defense systems such as Su-35 Flanker-E, Mi-28NE Night Hunter, and S-400 Triump as well as negotiating full maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities for Mi-35 helicopters, and Klimov RD-93 turbofan engines to slacken its reliance on US-made military equipment.
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| Mi35M Helicopter |
In flurry of US radical spells over Pakistan discounting the country’s unprecedented support on terrorism across areas – Pakistan continues to take protective measures to distance itself from a fitful ally United States and warming up its to former foe Russia.
In a recent development, 70 mountain shooters from Pakistan armed forces arrive in Russia to conduct second consecutive bilateral military drills, dubbed as Druzhba 2017 or Дружба 2017 (Friendship 2017). The tactical exercise will include a total of 200 personnel from both the countries.
The 2-weeks joint defense exercises will start from September 24 through October 4 in a mountainous area near Nizhny Arkhyz. More than 100 troops from Russian military mountain riffle brigade will also attend the armed maneuvers comprising over 20 mountain war drills at an altitude of up to 2.3 thousand meters above the sea level.
Meanwhile, Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will also be visiting Moscow in the first week of October 2017. The General’s first-ever trip as army chief is spotted vital in wake of building a ‘substantial partnership’ especially in the field of military cooperation and also in the backdrop of the new strategic alliances in the region.
Pakistan has been leaning toward Russia for the past few years after US abrupt curve to India to stem the China’s growing influence in the region. On the other hand, Indian stony behavior riled Russia – forcing Moscow to redesign its policy amid major policy shifts in South-East Asia.
Last year, Russia not only regretted Indian plea to include Pakistan a terror-sponsor country in BRICS declaration, Goa but also declined to abort military exercises (Friendship 2016) in the aftermath of Uri attacks.
Russia, together with China, helped Pakistan and tiled the way for Islamabad’s membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and also keenly participated in Pakistan defense and military exhibition, IDEAS-2016 (Arms for Peace).
Responding to Trump’s newly unveiled Afghan policy that slammed Pakistan, Russian special envoy to Afghanistan panned US – pronouncing Pakistan a key regional player to negotiate with’ and urged it must not be pressurized that may seriously destabilize peace in region.
Just recently, Russia delivered four (4) Mi-35M helicopters destined at military-to-military relations between Islamabad and Moscow. Russian Mi-35M choppers are most likely to replace part of Pakistan’s aging military fleet of US AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.
Director Coordination DEPO, Major General Waheed Mumtaz confirmed the Russian daily in Moscow on Friday at International Military-Technical Forum (Army 2017). ‘The contract was signed, we received all four cars and now we get new equipment.’
Pakistani pilots are adapting to the new helicopters and based on the performance of gunships, Pakistan can order additional military equipment and platforms to Russia – General further noted. According to some reports, Pakistan could purchase up to a total of 20-units from Russia.
The deal upshots after high level military delegation visit to Kremlin in June 2015 led by the-army chief General Raheel Sharif. Sharif has been at an arms expo near Moscow and seemingly was very impressive while inspecting of the weapon systems and live demonstrations.
Mi-35M is a latest variant of Mi-24V Hind by ROSOBORONEXPOR and can be multi-tasked in attacks, troops-carrying, transport, and ambulance (medevac) versions. The latest inclusion will greatly boost Pakistan’s military capability and develop its close air support (CAS) requirements in counter-insurgency (COIN) operations.
The helicopter is equipped with a powerful onboard weapon system – a flexible mount (with 450 rounds), up to 80 unguided rockets, up to 8 anti-tank guided missiles, and 12.7mm Kord machine guns. It best harmonizes for mountainous terrains and can be deployed ‘round the clock’ in adverse weather conditions.
‘The Barq laser-guided air-to-ground missile (AGM) produced by the National Engineering and Scientific Corporation (NESCOM) for use by the Burraq armed drone could be an ATGM/AGM option for the Mi-35M’, according to Quwa.
The Defense News and Analysis Group also highlights some reports about Pakistan’s interest in Russian defense systems such as Su-35 Flanker-E, Mi-28NE Night Hunter, and S-400 Triump as well as negotiating full maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities for Mi-35 helicopters, and Klimov RD-93 turbofan engines to slacken its reliance on US-made military equipment.