Russian team holds talks on sale of military hardware

E-Paper | May 02, 2026

ISLAMABAD: A Russian delegation is visiting Pakistan to discuss the sale of military hardware.

The delegation, led by Fomin Alexander Vasilyevich, director of the Federal Service for Military — Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation, visited General Headquarters on Thursday for a meeting with Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, the military’s public affairs division, ISPR, said in a statement.

The discussion, during the meeting, focused on enhanced defence cooperation, the statement reads.

In November 2014, Pakistan and Russia had signed a bilateral defence cooperation agreement to strengthen military-to-military relations.

The agreement was followed by another ‘technical cooperation agreement’. Last year, Russia concluded a deal for the sale of four Mi-35 attack helicopters to Pakistan.

The defence deal marked a major shift in Russian policy towards Pakistan and the start of a new chapter in bilateral ties.

“There is a commitment to move ahead and widen that cooperation,” said a military official. A source said Russia was in negotiations with Pakistan over the sale of other equipment.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2016

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Faisal Bajwa

Jan 22, 2016 07:13am

They should get some heavy equipment engine and transmission building facility and may be aircraft engine technology. Try something different, private/government partnership and encourage competition and innovation.

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Catalyst

Jan 22, 2016 07:56am

Good. Diversity in foreign policy is a wiser option.

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Sense

Jan 22, 2016 08:09am

How about buying some space technology

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sense

Jan 22, 2016 08:12am

oh god....now russians as well....we (pakistan and india) wasting our funds on the weapons...all these powers are making us spend on these machines which will never be used against each other...we both are nuclear powers and we will never attack each other.....hope our leaders use their common sense....

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Daanish

Jan 22, 2016 08:14am

well done. keep up the good work.

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Left

Jan 22, 2016 08:29am

Pak really needs Russian hardware such as airplane and S-400 anti missile shield.

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rejoice

Jan 22, 2016 08:42am

keep it up! Should establish good ties with Russia. Russia honors friendship.

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Pathankot

Jan 22, 2016 08:44am

Russia please sell them Su 35 so that India can go forward with US and France. For few millions lose billions defense deals and with limited options India can focus more on indigenous weapons. Past few years are really good since we stopped importing everything from Russia and started to make more at home.

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Hashim

Jan 22, 2016 08:45am

Russia is a major player in the world affairs now, unlike a decade ago. Their involvement and actions on Syria are vivid example of that. Pakistan will do well to enhance their relations with them, both militarily and economically. On the military side, Pakistan should take advantage of this opportunity to purchase modern 5th generation aircrafts to replace its aging fleet of Mirage and F-7 aircrafts. SU-30 ,SU35, and the latest version of the Mig-29 should be a priority.

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Threat Alert

Jan 22, 2016 08:56am

It's very nice to see Russia is willing to sell its arms to Pakistan. The first and the foremost target for Pakistan should be negotiating for Su-35 Jets. It will send a strong message to US that if you are not willing to sell F-16s to Pakistan, no problem. We also have other options to fulfill our defense requirement.

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Javed Durani

Jan 22, 2016 08:59am

A rude jolt for the Indians, the geographic location of Pakistan is important.

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goodhopes

Jan 22, 2016 09:03am

More than military deals we need economic deals that can create new opportunities and industries.

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Shoaib

Jan 22, 2016 09:07am

we should import teachers as well. military hardware is clearly proving ineffective to root out terrorism. education is the way to go

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saz

Jan 22, 2016 09:09am

Good move PK should have balanced relations with other countries.

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saz

Jan 22, 2016 09:11am

Pakistan should get help from Russia in war against terrorism.

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Hope.

Jan 22, 2016 09:13am

Get Russian latest air crafts cheaper then western counterparts.

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ali

Jan 22, 2016 09:17am

The deal should be of large quantities of modern military hardware, not like just four helicopters.

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Zak

Jan 22, 2016 09:19am

Russia should prove it is a reliable partner by selling S 500's to Pakistan which it has declined to sell it India under Chinese pressure.

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Salman

Jan 22, 2016 09:22am

Buy some Pak Fa T50s. We want need anything else. And plz, forget about the f16s.

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Prashantjain

Jan 22, 2016 09:25am

No doubt Russian defense equipment are one of the best in world also Russia is main defense supplier to India.Good luck

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Imran

Jan 22, 2016 09:26am

That's good development.

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junos

Jan 22, 2016 09:35am

Pakistanis should not think Russia is a friend,Russia is creating demand for its defense products and arms race which is detrimental to Pakistan , Pakistan should instead concentrate investing in education,health, industry ,pointless buying of weapons by using debt money is a disaster

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natey

Jan 22, 2016 09:38am

russia have to come to pak..to counter ind usa balance...its not about just hardware but influence..india cannot tell russia not to sell to pak when they deal with usa n euro at same time...russia have that trump card to shut india lobby..next time india will think twice before buying from france or usa military equipment..if they want russia not to sell to pak military equipment...i hope pak can get S-400 anti aircraft missile..thats the crown jewel of russian technology even usa cannot make them high uality

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Zak

Jan 22, 2016 09:45am

With Russian equipment, Pakistan armed forces arsenal will become devastatingly lethal for the enemy.

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Awais Ali

Jan 22, 2016 10:02am

Only one man General Raheel sharif is changing the fate of Pakistan. Could you even think such kind of relations with Russia?

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Ali Zaidi

Jan 22, 2016 10:11am

Russians are great people.

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Desi Dimag

Jan 22, 2016 10:15am

Keep cash ready. It's Russia not USA.

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Abbas Naqvi

Jan 22, 2016 10:28am

Pakistan foreign policy imperatives demand striking a balance in its relations with major world powers. In this context, Islamabad's recent shift towards Moscow makes sense. Besides defense cooperation, Pakistan and Russia are also moving to enhance their economic relations. Petroleum Minister is in Moscow discussing Russian participation in implementing Lahoe-Karachi gas pipeline project. Moscow is also willing to invest in other economic projects.Politically speaking, Pakistan-Russia equation can lend weight to regional balance of power given Russia's good ties with other regional players such as China and Iran. Looking beyond, the two countries can also join hands to fight common enemy, terrorism and extremism in the region.

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Farid

Jan 22, 2016 10:38am

@Desi Dimag That is true it is Russia not USA. Russia will not loot other's money. Look at the history of USA and other western countries.

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optimistic

Jan 22, 2016 10:50am

Russia and Pakistan need each other for trade, cooperation, defense and strong diplomatic ties. Pakistan may also think to have economic corridor types of linkage with Central Asia lead by Russia.

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Sachin

Jan 22, 2016 10:58am

Beautiful Russian hardware.

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Satt

Jan 22, 2016 11:40am

Russia is cleaning their junkyard.

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Hassan

Jan 22, 2016 11:40am

Russia is just cashing in the opportunity to sell arms to both India/Pakistan. If only we were wiser.

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point blank

Jan 22, 2016 11:49am

@Zak Yeah , we can see that.

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Jayakumar

Jan 22, 2016 12:04pm

@Hassan I don't think RF will sell any such weapon like the S-400 system or a nuclear submarine to Pakistan which could have negative impact to Indo-Russian relations.

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goodhopes

Jan 22, 2016 12:09pm

Russian are covering the energy revenue losses by selling arms, and there are plenty of buyers.

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Sunny Ganador

Jan 22, 2016 12:37pm

@Left - How will u pay?Russians need hard cash !!

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Jan 22, 2016 12:39pm

Well said. Keep cash ready ..its not the US.

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Jan 22, 2016 12:45pm

Very wise move General! He seems to have a different vision compared to his predecessors.

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ali

Jan 22, 2016 01:46pm

@Sunny Ganador Typical Indian mentality we won't borrow from you so mind you own business its our headache.

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Abdulla Hussain

Jan 22, 2016 02:50pm

Positive development, will help Pakistan from evading uncertainty of on again off again scenario.

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Strange

Jan 22, 2016 03:19pm

How about getting technologies how to built jet engines...

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Pankaj

Jan 22, 2016 03:23pm

@Jayakumar I don't thing that would be a case in near future because of the way dynamics are changing. India has diversified its arm supplier and forcing them for transfer or technology and Make in India. After some India will be self-reliant and then suppliers has to look for other buyers. They know that this is going to happen so they are already capturing the market outside India.

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khangul

Jan 22, 2016 03:30pm

One good news from Pakistan, and see how trolls get excited? Amazing!

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Afzal

Jan 22, 2016 04:03pm

@Sense Space technology is quite expensive and will be difficult to sustain until Pakistan has completed its nuclear project of adding a certain number of tactical and stretagic weapons to its armoury. Gone are the days when India had bought every nut and bolt of technology due to the US vs USSR Cold War at cheap deals. Our scientists did start some elementary space project ...in fact it became the first country in Asia to send up a space rocket(see Net). It had to freeze its space ambitions as its priorities changed to focus on nuclear development for understandable reasons. To deal with its enemies it had to develop modern methods of war fares and deterrence to achieve the required military parities to make its adversaries flee into their rat holes....money well spent even during economic meltdowns. Undoubtedly Pakistan will catch up with things as soon as its economy gets on track and reactivate its space projects.

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Ibrar

Jan 23, 2016 12:43am

@Pankaj India may be aiming to diversifying its technology purchases cum transfers to become self reliant through the illusionary magic of 'make in India'. For 'make in India' to succeed even as a relatively lower quality project India will have to part with huge part of its savings, yet what the sellers will transfer will be which will not be at the cost of their industries. India's current stretagy seems to be that for high quality state of the art weapons for use by its own armed forces it would buy or licence produce(with necessary restrictions) from foreign companies. The main thrust of 'make in India' would be to buy affordable foreign tech for license productions before attracting some developing countries to buy...rather like Pakistan is trying to sell its JF 17s. And no doubt before Pakistan captures buyers market India wants to get there as quick as possible. The reality of 'make in India' will surface in the next five years or so.

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Fawad

Jan 23, 2016 12:35pm

@sense sense bro.. common sense is not that common for people at helms of power..

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