ISLAMABAD, 17 October 2007 — Pakistan is one of the biggest buyers of US weapons in Asia. Between 2001 and 2007, the country signed arms deals with the United States worth $8.5 billion.
According to Defense Procurement Directorate sources, “India was second to Pakistan in its military purchases from the US. So far India has signed defense deals with Washington worth $1.5 billion.”
Pakistan’s main purchases include F-16 advance version fighter-bomber aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles, anti-tank missile systems, ground radars of various versions and combat helicopters.
The Foreign Military Sales report of the United States said, “Pakistan made the most military purchases after the scrapping of the Glenn Amendment which had placed a total ban on military sales to Pakistan following Islamabad’s decision to test its nuclear capability.”
Apart from conventional weapons, Pakistan also acquired high frequency radio systems to detect terrorist activities and other equipment needed for anti-terrorist operations.
India remained a bigger buyer of weapons from Russia during this period.
Delhi acquired 24 of the latest versions of T series of Main Battle Tanks, 322 heavy artillery guns, 64 jet fighters, one combat helicopter, two frigates and over 1,000 missiles and missile launching systems.
Ex-NWFP Chief Minister Dies
Former Chief Minister of the North West Frontier Province Arbab Jehangir died in Peshawar yesterday due to cardiac arrest.
Born in Landi Arbab, a village close to Peshawar, Arbab began his political career in the National Awami Party then headed by Khan Abdul Wali Khan.
In the early 70s he joined the Pakistan People’s Party under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and remained senior minister of the NWFP during the 70s.
Arbab became the chief minister of NWFP during Prime Minister Junejo’s tenure after joining Muslim League (Junejo group).
