A significant order from a historic ally, which has the Indian’s a little perturbed I’m sure.
Sri Lanka to purchase defence equipments from Pakistan
In order to equip itself to fight the LTTE, Sri Lanka has placed orders worth up to USD 100 million from Pakistan for tanks, their ammunition, different kinds of bombs and explosives, fuses, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and armoured vehicles, reports said. Premier journal Jane’s Defence Weekly and media reports have have confirmed that the arms deal size could go up to USD 200 million in the next 18 months. Major Colombo newspaper ‘Island’ earlier reported that the Sri Lankan forces needed two UAVs, cluster and fuel air bombs, laser-precision and guided bomb kits, deep penetration bombs, 80MM rockets with fuel explosive warheads, Bakhtar-Shiken anti-tank guided missile launcher, Tandem warhead missiles, radios, mortars and night vision goggles. The island nation was looking at Pakistan “to significantly strengthen its military capabilities amid the increasing prospect of renewed civil war”, Jane’s said.
Re: Sri Lanka to purchase $100 million defence equipments from Pakistan
Pakistan opens massive military supply to Lanka
Josy Joseph
Sunday, June 11, 2006 23:16 IST
NEW DELHI: Pakistan has opened a massive $250 million credit line for supplying Sri Lankan military equipment, including many offensive weapon systems such as tanks, say authoritative sources. The figure contradicts recent reports about Pakistan providing around $50 million military assistance to Lanka.
Indian sources insist that an eager Pakistan is stepping it up to $250 million, raising several new uncomfortable questions for India. The report comes at a time when India is worriedly looking at Pakistan planning to gift two of its old submarines to Bangladesh. With China too exhibiting interest in cultivating India’s neighbourhood, New Delhi has a much more complex region to deal with.
Sources said the surge in Pakistan’s military assistance to Sri Lanka has happened because of the personal interest taken by Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Bashir Wali, a former director of Pakistan’s Intelligence Bureau.
Among the new items that Pakistan could supply through the $250 million credit line include 40 tanks, and many other offensive systems, sources said. Publicly known demand from Sri Lanka’s Army has only been for about $20 million worth from Pakistan.
The Sri Lanka Air Force has requirement worth $38.1 million, according to a recent report by London-based Jane’s Defence Weekly. The magazine also spoke of only about $60 million worth military assistance from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. The Army has asked for 10 Baktar Shikan anti-tank guided missile weapon systems, 300 standard/tandem warheads and two training simulators.
India has received requests for such assistance from Sri Lanka in the past. But fear of hurting Tamil sentiments and getting mangled in island nation’s fortunes has kept India away. India’s reluctance to assist the island nation has led to both China and Pakistan taking much more interest in the military affairs of the turbulent nation.