Emerging threat: Cabinet to consider Chinese subs
Ministry of Defence informs cabinet that Pakistan Navy is facing critical force imbalance of submarines and ships.
ISLAMABAD:
The Ministry of Defence has asked the federal cabinet, which meets today (Wednesday), to approve purchase of conventional Chinese submarines on grounds of “emerging threats” that the country faces. It will also pave the way for the joint development of conventional submarines, officials have said.
The defence ministry has informed members of the cabinet that the Pakistan Navy is facing a critical force imbalance in terms of submarines and ships. The capability gap is widening exponentially with the passage of time, the navy adds. Keeping in view such urgent naval requirements, the issue was also part of the talking points for President Zardari during his visit to China in 2009 and subsequently the matter was also discussed during the Chinese prime minister’s visit to Pakistan in 2010.
The cabinet has been also been told that Naval Headquarters had pursued the matter of acquisition of submarines with the concerned Chinese authorities. A mutually agreed draft protocol is to be signed between the Pakistan Navy and the relevant Chinese department as a first step towards joint development of conventional submarines.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2011.
The Ministry of Defence has asked the federal cabinet, which meets today (Wednesday), to approve purchase of conventional Chinese submarines on grounds of “emerging threats” that the country faces. It will also pave the way for the joint development of conventional submarines, officials have said.
The defence ministry has informed members of the cabinet that the Pakistan Navy is facing a critical force imbalance in terms of submarines and ships. The capability gap is widening exponentially with the passage of time, the navy adds. Keeping in view such urgent naval requirements, the issue was also part of the talking points for President Zardari during his visit to China in 2009 and subsequently the matter was also discussed during the Chinese prime minister’s visit to Pakistan in 2010.
The cabinet has been also been told that Naval Headquarters had pursued the matter of acquisition of submarines with the concerned Chinese authorities. A mutually agreed draft protocol is to be signed between the Pakistan Navy and the relevant Chinese department as a first step towards joint development of conventional submarines.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2011.