Pakistan aims for direct military cooperation with Russia

Pakistan is interested in increasing military relationship with Russia and Pakistan Ministry of Defence is likely to make a decision on the purchase of the 10 Russian Mi-17 transport helicopters.Pakistan is ready to renew direct military technical cooperation with Russia, to which India is opposed. India and Pakistan have fought three wars in the past, however in the last three years or so the relationship between the two countries have changed and Pakistan suggests that Russia renews direct military technical cooperation with Pakistan in order to enhance ties between the two countries.America has opened doors for India to receive direct military technical cooperation in the defence field and Pakistan suggests that Russia as a global power do the same.Since India is a long-time Russian strategic military-technical partner, Russia has limited its sales to Pakistan to multipurpose equipment. However, it is believed that Russia is in a disadvantage because India no longer have to rely on Russian equipment due to new access of military equipment from United States and parts of Europe.After Cold War, Russia has supplied about 50 Mi-8 helicopters and its modernized version the Mi-17. Now Pakistan suggests direct military technical ties. Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz commented that “Russia is a world power and we look at it as a global player. I suggest that global players should never make their relations with one country dependent on relations with another.”The purchasing department of the Pakistani Defense Ministry will announce the results of a tender for the delivery of ten Mi-17 transport helicopters this month. The ministry wants only that model of helicopter, and insists that the provider have certification an original producer. Only OAO OPK Oboronprom in Ulan-Ude fits that bill. That company provided Pakistan with three of the same helicopters last year. A Pakistani delegation will visit that enterprise in the coming weeks, and see the Kazan Helicopter Plant and the Klimov Plant in St. Petersburg.Pakistan can increase the purchasing of Russian military equipment as a result of direct military cooperation and signs are already there. Pakistan will soon need the access of AL-31FN engines equipped with the Chinese J-10 (also known as FC-20) aircraft which Pakistan plans to purchase in a deal worth up to $1.5 billion.Last month, Beijing reached an agreement with Moscow of 150 RD-93 engines to Pakistan by China. That deal was approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin personally and it is likely that China will buy 1000 more engines if the thrust of the engine is increased benefiting and taking the Russian defence industry to a new level. 

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