Russia lifts arms embargo to Pakistan: report
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MOSCOW: Russia has lifted its embargo on arms supplies to Pakistan and is holding talks on supplying Islamabad with combat helicopters, the head of state-owned Rostec, Sergei Chemezov, said Monday, the ITAR-TASS news agency reported.
“Such a decision has been taken. We are holding talks on supplying the helicopters,” Chemezov said, adding that the negotiations were about Russian Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters.
Russia has long been the largest supplier of arms to India, which is the world's top arms buyer.
But Moscow's move to supply Islamabad came as New Delhi is seeking to modernise its armed forces' ageing hardware and has recently chosen to buy arms from Israel, France, Britain and the United States.
Leading Russian defence commentator Pavel Felgenhauer said the lifting of the embargo that had been in force since the Soviet era marked a sea change in Russian policy on arms sales, which until now have been focused on India amid difficult relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.
“This is an important, key change in Russian policy in the region,” he told AFP.
“The sale of arms to Pakistan will abruptly worsen our relations with India, the main buyer of our arms... This risks dismantling our cooperation with India,” Felgenhauer said.
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Comments (62) Closed
Jun 02, 2014 11:48pm
This is a golden opportunity for Pakistan to strengthen its defence at low cost.
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Jun 03, 2014 12:02am
Why Russia lifts the old arms embargo and chooses to supply combat helicopters to Pakistan which will dismantle their cooperation with main arms buyer India is a question to debate.
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Jun 03, 2014 12:15am
Russia is a thug of a nation. It has bullied its smaller nations in the past just like India has done so. They are doing it for the money nothing else.
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Jun 03, 2014 12:25am
Hopefully, this will be the dawn of good relations between Russia and Pakistan.
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Jun 03, 2014 12:29am
"[The sale of arms to Pakistan will abruptly worsen our relations with India, the main buyer of our arms... This risks dismantling our cooperation with India,
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Jun 03, 2014 12:31am
Indian diplomats will bring pressure on Russia to renege on this assurance of arms supply to Pakistan. Russia cannot afford to antagonise a client whose orders worth billions of dollars bring employment to thousands of Russians
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Jun 03, 2014 12:34am
Russian weapons are useless.
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Jun 03, 2014 12:47am
This is a good move by the Russians. We should reciprocate & make it a priority to build good relations with Russia. Russia is in our neighborhood & cooperation with Russia,Iran,Afghanistan is essential for security, stability,progress & development in our countries & of the region. We have ignored our western side for too long,it holds the key to our property.Russia is a loyal,faithful ally to its friends compared to the US. Russia has given us steel mill & oil refineries,its time to build relationships in the region rather than looking at countries on the other side of the planet for help.
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Jun 03, 2014 12:55am
Interesting! There are no permanent friends and foes in international relations. Writing is already on the wall for next few decades. China and Russia have already aligned them selves. Pakistan is already in China's bag. Meanwhile, India is leaning Westwards at a fast pace. This region, unfortunately again, will be the battle-ground of super powers through proxies.
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Jun 03, 2014 12:57am
Never thaught russia would ever supply arms to Pakistan , a great news! Lets hope for good relations between two countries
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Jun 03, 2014 01:01am
@Aftab Alam Khan
Like India, Pakistan should have been close to Russia, a regional neighbour, instead of the pseudo friend USA, which has done so much harm to your country.
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Jun 03, 2014 01:10am
The induction of Russian Helicopters will no doubt increase the capabilities of our Armed Forces to fight against terrorism ... And this is good move.... Happy Russian removed the embargo
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Jun 03, 2014 01:25am
Thank you so much dear Putin, we like you too much, and we appreciate your assistance, hopefully this will bring peace in the region. This news made my day--- Please send some ice cubes to the White House.
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Jun 03, 2014 01:36am
@Irfan Baloch Absolutely agree
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Jun 03, 2014 01:40am
@Hamid Ali Tabatabai AND so is the United States of America. I believe that its a good time to be friends with Russia,.
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Jun 03, 2014 01:45am
I love how the Pakistanis start jumping at the illusion of new friendship with Russia. Of only they would have jumped with joy at a new industrial technology. I think you are already well armed. India is not attacking you. Take a chill pill and fix your schools roads hospitals first.
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Jun 03, 2014 02:00am
Russia needs money and is trying to outflank the West by reaching out to their ally and also thumping its nose at them for interfering in Ukraine. Pakistan shouldn't go for these flying coffins. Leave them for India.
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Jun 03, 2014 02:26am
It is always good to show friendly relations with all countries. That will be a strength if we see that way.
In international political relations. It will be a weakness if we don't maintain appropriate relationship with other countries.
we need to balance that threat in international relationships!!!
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Jun 03, 2014 02:27am
good opportunity for Pakistan to improve its relations with Russia. which would be a great thing to balance things with the US.
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Jun 03, 2014 02:28am
Instead of arms, Pakistan should increase cooperation in other areas. That will be more helpful for the region as well.
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Jun 03, 2014 02:35am
We should not buy arms from Russia, it will be a bad choice as Russian arms are low class and our Army will just buy to make some money.
Look at India they are slowing moving away from Russian arms and going towards US/GB/France and Israel, so wake up and stop this
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Jun 03, 2014 03:11am
It is good to diversify sources of arms supply but one should be mindful of not disturbing relationship with China. Quality of equipment, terms and conditions must be handled professionals to safeguard avoid what happened in Pakistan Steel--inferior quality and redundant technology.
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Jun 03, 2014 03:51am
@Suq Madieq - as if India infrastructure is any better
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Jun 03, 2014 05:15am
just look at the budget deficit...no fdi...corruption..severe power shortage..nd russians are known for kick backs in defence deals...is pakistan ready to invest in more arms..this news should bring happiness to few arm dealers in pak...for da rest..its time to eat grass....sad but holds true
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Jun 03, 2014 05:23am
@Aftab Alam Khan
You failed to read the article. Russian did that after they got frustrated with Indian who is buying hardware from everyone but Russia. Seems like story has changed.
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Jun 03, 2014 05:50am
@Suq Madieq i agree , we do not want war either but for protection it is necessary
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Jun 03, 2014 05:57am
It's about time someone else bought Russian junk.
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Jun 03, 2014 06:26am
@Suq Madieq
You have a valid point. The most important defense is upgrade our educational level. (Open school, universities, industries). If we can survive next 10 years doing nothing but investing on health, education and industries a bright future with respect will be waiting for us. Everything else is useless and temp.
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Jun 03, 2014 07:23am
@Irfan Baloch
please get your facts straight, we have the latest AH-1F Cobra Attack helicopters. India does not posses such helicopters. Also, we have arrangements with the US which ensures that these helicopters are up to date with the latest technology. In fact we have been using the subsequent generations of these highly equipped helicopters since 1984. Pakistan is part of a select group of countries that possess this technology at a considerably large scale.
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Jun 03, 2014 08:06am
I dont think Russians are that naive that they would offend their long term ally India. Something doesn't look right about this whole thing. They are not negotiating Mi-35, its Mi-24 which is much inferior. So just like we buy low tech stuff from China , now we are looking towards Russia.
Pakistan already has Mi-8 and JF-17s engine is using Russian RD-93 engine(which by the way has a defect of leaving a trail of smoke behind). Pakistan should try to get Super Cobra from US. You can't beat the quality.
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Jun 03, 2014 08:08am
@suq madieq agree with you Pakistan should move beyond India and pay full attention to it's domestic problems root out terrorist infrastructure take confident building measures with it's regional partners peace in the region will bring prosperity
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Jun 03, 2014 08:19am
I think we should have cordial ties with all but some forces will try to torpedo this relationship
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Jun 03, 2014 08:20am
@pak. Why are you even comparing yourself to India. India can destroy us if they unleashed their might. They are larger, more equipped militarily. Enough with this proxy war stuff. Our country is being destroyed from within and all we care about is threatening India.
Stop meddling in their affairs and hopefully they'll stop meddling in ours. Or else just bring it to the attention of the international community.
Focus on education, extremism and infrastructure. None of which will benefit from Russian helicopters
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Jun 03, 2014 08:29am
Russians might be thinking to dump their helicopters by selling them to Pakistan instead of letting them rot in warehouses since "New Delhi is seeking to modernise its armed forces' ageing hardware and has recently chosen to buy arms from France, Britain and the United States."
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Jun 03, 2014 08:41am
It would make a whole lot more sense if Russians will sell civilian industries rather than more people killing arms!
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Jun 03, 2014 08:44am
@pak. what arrangements with US you are talkin about. Last ten years have u not seen enough arrangements.That way even abbotabad was sort of arrangement to disgrace pak to dust.
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Jun 03, 2014 08:46am
These helicopters will prove to be an asset against terrorism. This beast which also known as flying tank can easily pick stranded soldiers right in front of enemies. This giant can take heavy anti-aircraft shelling on its skin and can wreak havoc in the echelons of enemy with his heavy air-to-ground artillery. It is a troop career as well and can easily land eight troops right behind the enemy lines. Mi-35 is the weapon of choice for Pakistan Army. In my opinion this weapon will prove to be a game changer against TTP.
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Jun 03, 2014 08:53am
desperate move by Russia! Pakistan does not need these low quality arms from Russia. It would be a huuge waste of money.
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Jun 03, 2014 09:00am
I am not sure the Mi-35 will be useful for Pakistan. Sure it can be heavily armed and can carry a few troops for missions, but it cannot effectively replace the AH-1 Cobra or the Mi-17 transport. Cobra is old and getting obsolete but it is a wonderful and deadly gunship helicopter. Just ask the TTP and BLA. Mi-17 is a reliable transport for getting troops in and out of battle and can take a bit of damage.
Mi-35 is fast, has a long range, and can take a real beating, and give some in return, but it is too big and has poor agility when operating in such testing counter-insurgency scenarios. Earlier versions of this helicopter (Mi-24) ran into trouble in 1980s when Stinger missiles were used by Afghan Mujahideen to knock them out of the sky.
I am not sure this helicopter is perfect for Pakistan military requirements.
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Jun 03, 2014 09:08am
Russian MI-24 /MI-35 attack helicopters would be very useful in military/counter insurgency operations due to their very robust armored construction and wide range of weapons options! Russia has built more than 2000 of the MI-24 over the years, and factory refurbished used ones are probably very affordable in quantity!
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Jun 03, 2014 09:08am
If this is true which means Russia is going to fulfill the arms wish list karzai wanted from India.
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Jun 03, 2014 09:09am
@zia . Money is not the problem. We have wasted billion of dollars in war against terrorism.
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Jun 03, 2014 09:18am
@Uxman : Stop patronizing. We all know very well that there is not going to be comfortable peace between Pakistan and India.
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Jun 03, 2014 09:41am
Russia is flourishing by selling arms to anybody.
I would prefer buying weapons from Darrah instead of buying dead weapons from Russia. But Russia can be our 'incase of' supplier.
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Jun 03, 2014 09:48am
By lifting Russian arms embargo we are entering a new and final phase of end game. May God help Pakistan
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Jun 03, 2014 09:54am
@M aslam :
what defence? we made a nuke and still Pakistanis are being killed. Pakistanis are obsessed with military power because of poor educational background and wrong ideas hacked into their brains by establishment that has ruled Pakistan for most of the time. Shame and sad!!
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Jun 03, 2014 10:11am
If Liaquat Ali Khan had gone towards Soviet Union rather the USA the History would have been much different, and hopefully Kashmir issue with India would also had been solved.
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Jun 03, 2014 10:17am
Russia needs money due to economic sanctions over Crimea/ Ukraine .
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Jun 03, 2014 10:27am
@TooTrue how are they useless? have u forgotten AK-47? the most successful rifle in history? :)
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Jun 03, 2014 10:35am
Good sign .....
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Jun 03, 2014 11:44am
Russians interfered with our purchases of engines for the Al Khalid main battle tank and the JF-17 Thunder engines.
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Jun 03, 2014 11:46am
@TooTrue just consider AK47..is that useless ???
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Jun 03, 2014 11:48am
Games of chess. Every country has its own interest. I hope India and Pakistan do not become pawns to the global players. Both our countries have had enough. They should look inwards. Rather than becoming an armed powers they should try and become knowledge powers. Bullets and guns should not fill the empty stomachs. For humanity's sake, enough is enough.
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Jun 03, 2014 11:59am
Israel and India, that is something to worry about.
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Jun 03, 2014 01:01pm
Its a good development in bilateral Relation between Pakistan and Russia which remained worse from cold war era .I think Russia is trusted friend as compared to United state which always used Pakistan for their own interest but disappointed Pakistan in the hour of need.I appreciate Russian move and Pakistan should avail this opportunity.
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Jun 03, 2014 07:53pm
Vladimir Putin is an intelligent leader, he understands well what he is doing. In my opinion a new nexus is emerging, a very interesting knot tie up is shaping.
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Jun 04, 2014 05:05am
cool buy more arms
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Jun 04, 2014 06:46am
@Uxman protection from who? Who in gods name wld want to attack Pakistan? R u clueless abt yr problems? Who in their right minds wants a basket case of a country overrun with guns terrorists and mad illiterate mullahs running the show and mass murderers on national tv and lawyers garlanding killers. And your elected politicians praising killers of your own citizens and soldiersGet a life or go to a corner and implode quietly
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Jun 05, 2014 05:58am
I love my indian neighbours but with all due respect I would state that whenever there is an opportunity to make fun of the situation of Pakistan theymake the most of it. I see so many unfriendly comments from our indian friends that it is very easy to understand how they feel about us. But this news item seems to have hushed them up because except of few there is no comments from the other side of our eastern border. Why you don't want your neighbours to be happy too?
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Jun 05, 2014 06:07am
@Syed in which decade are u in buddy. Pakistan has enough portion of education and health, but unfortunately our leaders dont invest and distribute properly. Can't you the ongoing struggle against terrorism inside Pakistan. How can't u see and how can u be such a naive to see whats happening to world around. There should be no compromise on defence. Today our nation is lacking with health and education because of our corrupt political elite.
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Jun 05, 2014 07:05am
NO WAY! Pakistan was on Russia's enemy number one list due to its close military association with India. Unlike Pakistani leaders during the Russian ban on arms sales to Pakistan, the Indians negotiated major inroads with Russia to create HAL, which was a boon for India's defense manufacturing industry.
While Pakistan, despite it's allegiance to the USA was offered no such deals and during Bill Clinton's tenure, Pakistan's defense apparatus and economy suffered immeasurably from which it's still recovering. Now Indians don't want third rate Russian military arms, since India has wised up. So why should Pakistan bow before a former arch enemy like Russia? Let's stick to our true military allies like China and France, no need to do business with a turncoat like Russia.
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Jun 05, 2014 11:54am
This has nothing to do with Pakistan. It is part of Putin's push to counter the World Hegemon in the region, and elsewhere.
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