Pakistan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

PAKISTAN SEEKING GUIDED MULTIPLE-LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEMS (MLRS)

In a section of its , the Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) outlined the development and/or procurement of “extended range guided MLRS [multiple launch rocket systems].” The previous year also listed in the continued production and development of MLRS technology.



Notes & Comments:

MLRS comprise of two main elements: rocket munitions and a self-propelled platform to carry and launch those rockets. Generally, rocket artillery provides several advantages over howitzer shells, such as longer range and heavier warheads. Many armies relied on the combination of mobility and numbers to deploy MLRS as fast-moving saturation attack assets.

Pakistan’s mainstay MLRS is the Kahuta Research Laboratories KRL-122. In recent years, the system was fit with the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) rocket. As per POF, the Yarmuk has a range of 20 km, though Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) lists an with a range of 45 km. This is at-par with most overseas solutions, such as the .

Based on the MoDP’s disclosure, Pakistan will be working to fit the Yarmuk-series of rockets with guidance systems and improve its accuracy. Currently, the Yarmuk has an accuracy of at least 80 m circular error probable (CEP), which is variable based on the launch elevation. On the other hand, the satellite-guided (INS/GPS) variant of the Roketsan TR-122 – i.e. – has a CEP of less than 30 m CEP.

Pakistan could emulate this model, though it will require modifying the Yarmuk to utilize a satellite-aided INS guidance suite and electro-mechanically actuated aerodynamic surfaces to achieve higher accuracy.

Roketsan marketed the TRG-122 to Pakistan in November at IDEAS, Pakistan’s biennial defence exhibition. Roketsan also revealed that Pakistan was also looking at 300 mm guided rockets (for which the Turkish company is offered its TRG-300). China’s NORINCO will likely be a leading contender for Pakistan’s rocket artillery requirements as well. According to , the NORINCO SR5 comprises of the 122 mm INS/GPS-guided BRE1, which has a range and accuracy of 40 km and 25 m CEP, respectively.

The pursuit of guided MLRS could also be a sign of the Pakistan Army increasing its reliance on network-enabled warfare. Efficient use of guided MLRS requires the artillery Fire Direction Centre (FDC) to have precise target location data, which could be had using forward observers or even intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)-enabled assets, such as helicopters, drones and armoured vehicles.

Pakistan's Missile Delivery Packages -

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PAKISTAN RAISES ANNUAL DEFENCE BUDGET TO $8.78 BILLION U.S.

In its 2017-2018 budget, the Government of Pakistan has budgeted $8.78 billion U.S. (Rs. 920.2 billion) for the armed forces – an increase of $578 million (or 7%) to the budget for 2016-2017.

The allocations are as follow: 24% for operating expenses; 35% for salaries and remuneration; 14% for “civil works” (likely post-conflict reconstruction in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas); and 27% for “physical assets” (likely referring to maintenance). Pensions ($1.7 billion) have been budgeted separately.

The Pakistan Army will receive 47.5% of the budget (i.e. $4.17 billion), while the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan Navy will be provided with 20.5% ($1.8 billion) and 10.7% ($939.46 million), respectively.

The remaining amount, 20.3% ($1.87 billion) will be allotted for defence production, which involves the procurement of arms, such as the JF-17 multi-role fighter, al-Khalid main battle tank (MBT) and others.

Notes & Comments:

Next year’s defence production allocation aligns with projection that Pakistan may spend $12 billion in procurement from 2016 to 2024 – i.e. $1.5 billion per year.

Besides regular force increases this part of the budget may include payments for big-ticket programs, such as the eight Hangor-class submarines (the first four will in 2022-2023), four MILGEM Ada corvettes (which will be inked in June), three new Saab 2000-based Erieye airborne early warning and control aircraft, the STM-led Agosta 90B submarine upgrade program and with Ukraine.

There are additional defence programs on Pakistan’s roadmap. The PAF is expected to issue its first JF-17 Block-III orders in 2017. In 2016, Pakistan had begun assessing new hardware, such as 155mm/52-calibre wheeled self-propelled howitzers, and . Pakistan is also aiming to develop a new miniature submarine, light armoured vehicle, guided rockets for multiple launch rocket systems and new munitions. These programs will add to Pakistan’s cash outlay.

WILL SOUTH AFRICA IMPACT PAKISTAN’S DEFENCE PROCUREMENT PLANS?


On Monday March 27, Pakistan and South Africa signed a memorandum-of-understanding (MoU) to boost bilateral defence ties, specifically in procurement, training and defence industry collaboration.

The MoU the creation of a ‘Joint Defence Committee’ that will steward collaboration, information exchanges and training of officers and soldiers. It also facilitates collaborative research and development, transfer-of-technology, co-production and joint-ventures, and armament acquisition.



South Africa’s expertise in munitions, artillery, armoured vehicles and aviation can draw militaries in need of capable and affordable equipment, especially in technology areas not readily available – be it from cost or political and regulatory barriers – in the United States and Western Europe. However, Pakistan manages relatively well through its relationship with China, which is evident when one refers to the , , and other mainstay platforms of the Pakistani military.

Thus, one might ask if South Africa could impact Pakistan’s defence modernization plans, especially in the near-term where it appears that Pakistan has the technology means (via existing suppliers) to bring its up and coming programs, such as the JF-17 Block-III, into fruition.

This MoU was built through bilateral efforts. It was precipitated by several high-level exchanges, such as those of the Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) and Ministry of Defence in the second-half of 2016. In September during the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) airshow and exhibition, the MoDP Rana Tanveer Hussain met with South Africa’s Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Ms. Mapisa-Nqakula then made her office’s to sign the MoU.

Long-term collaboration is quite plausible, especially at the industry-to-industry level where one can see Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) engage with Denel Aviation and Denel Land Systems, respectively, to build respective capacities. The Pakistani private sector, especially the likes of Integrated Dynamics and Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), may find worthwhile and willing partners to undertake original development of systems and subsystems. For example, GIDS is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and collaboration with Denel Aviation or Paramount Group could be an avenue for feasibly undertaking that project. GIDS is also a supplier of to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), collaborating with Denel Dynamics might enable GIDS to broaden its product portfolio.

However, the South African defence industry may have a plausible shot at securing near-term contracts, especially with the JF-17 Block-III and the needs of the Pakistan Navy. The forthcoming JF-17 Block-III will be configured with an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar, updated avionics and integrated electronic warfare (EW) and electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite, and, as originally planned, high off-boresight (HOBS) air-to-air missiles (AAM) integrated with a helmet-mounted display and sight (HMD/S) system. While the Block-III’s AESA radar options – and by extension, EW/ECM and avionics – are known, there HMD/S route is not clear.

At Air Show China 2016, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) showcased concepts of next-generation subsystems, which included an HMD/S system with design similarities to the BAE Systems Striker II. But this was not a marketable product (i.e. with a label and actual specifications). With that avenue not yet in place, the PAF’s remaining HMD/S options would comprise of the BAE Systems Striker and Thales TopOwl-F. The most ubiquitous non-Eastern HMD/S design belongs to , which is a non-starter for the PAF (notwithstanding third-party access via the U.S.).

South Africa is home to Airbus Defence & Space (DS) Optronics, which belongs to , a sensor and electronics subsystems company located in Germany. The Pakistan Navy is a Hensoldt customer through its selection of the SERO 250 periscope and OMS 200 optronic mast for its Agosta 90B submarines. With Denel Dynamics already offering a HOBS AAM in the form of the A-Darter, it would be interesting if Airbus DS/Hensoldt in South Africa could be counted upon to develop a HMD/S system. For Hensoldt, an HMD/S solution need not be focused on just the JF-17, but it can be a welcome competitor in a sparse market.

It has been more than a decade since South Africa marketed an HMD/S, but the presence of research and development facilities and leadership by a company aiming to grow in the sensor market should provide sufficient grounding to produce a solution. If successful, the HMD/S and A-Darter could provide the South African defence industry with a direct entry into the JF-17 Block-III.

Another near-term opportunity may be with the Pakistan Navy. In June 2016, South Africa’s Navy reported that the Pakistan Navy about the surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. It is not known where that interest stands at the moment, but the forthcoming – with a 30-35 km range – could be a plausible SAM solution for the Pakistan Navy’s current and future surface warships. In comparison to analogous Western solutions, such as the MBDA Sea Ceptor or Aster-15, the Umkhonto EIR could be more affordable. Denel Dynamics’ with Saab to integrate the Umkhonto-series to Saab’s Giraffe AMB radar could be a contributing aspect considering that Saab is one of Pakistan’s (albeit potentially fleeting) defence electronics suppliers.

The Pakistan Army was slotted the as a competitor for its 155 mm/52-calibre wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) requirement. In the final quarter of 2016, Denel sent a T5-52 SPH to Pakistan for testing. It appears that the T5-52 and YugoImport-SDPR’s NORA B-52 are the leading SPH candidates. If regarding the potential scale of the Pakistani SPH requirement (which purportedly stands in the 500-range) are accurate, Denel might secure a significant sale. Competitive cost, quality and access to key technology, such as the 54-km range Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) , could bolster the T5-52’s prospects.

The Pakistan Army also has a recurring need for mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, which it is at a cost of $875,000 a vehicle. Denel OMC and Paramount Group should see opportunity in this space. There is also a need for an 8×8 wheeled armoured fighting vehicle. Denel OMC or Paramount Group could partner with Pakistan’s public or private sector to fulfill that need.

In general, the entry-point for the South African defence industry would be to provide capable solutions at a competitive price in areas where Pakistan has yet to secure a supplier. However, this would be a near-term opportunity as Pakistan’s long-term objective is to build supply-side independence, ensuring that its defence hardware is mostly built and, if possible, developed domestically. There are opportunities in this respect as well, especially since Denel Group and Paramount Group have a reputation for providing strong transfer-of-technology and co-production benefits.

PAKISTAN AND BELARUS COMMIT TO ENHANCE DEFENCE TIES...

Pakistan and Belarus have agreed to enhance bilateral defence and defence industry relations, especially in the realms of production and collaboration.

According to , officials both from countries made the commitment during a meeting that had involved Pakistan’s Minister of Defence Production (MoDP) Rana Tanveer Hussain and the Chairman of the State Military Industrial Committee of Belarus Gurulev Sergei.

This follows by a high-level Belarusian delegation in April 2016. Belarus had expressed hope that Pakistan would acquire its products, especially in the areas of optics and vehicles.

Recent reports from Belarusian media that Pakistan is interested in acquiring Minsk’s electronic warfare (EW) and optical-electronic (i.e. optronics) technologies.

In its 2015-2016 yearbook, the Pakistan MoDP detailed successful demonstrations at Pakistan’s Institute of Optronics of Belarusian thermal imaging and red-dot sights.

Notes & Comments:

Besides specific off-the-shelf systems, such as reflexive sights and magnification sights, Belarus could be viewed as a candidate for providing capacity building support for Pakistan’s production and development efforts. Belarus has investments in optics for small arms, radars and vehicles, which may interest the Pakistan MoDP from the standpoints of direct acquisitions and joint-development.

The latter, joint-development, is particularly important in that Belarus has shown, specifically through the course of its MILEX (International Exhibition of Arms and Military Machinery) defence exhibition last week, that it can leverage its existing defence industry infrastructure and talent pool to develop modern solutions.

These solutions include the anti-tank guided missile platform; the Minator-Service ; Belspetsvneshtechnika’s (BSVT) single-shot 60 mm ; the Science Research and Production Centre’s (Ovod-R) for the RPG-7; BVST’s active EW jamming pod; and KB Display’s helmet-mounted display for infantry.

Several of these solutions have transformative potential. For example, the PD-7 is a compact system that weighs 2 kg, yet it provides the RPG-7 user with precision-targeting through a laser-rangefinder and ballistic computer. The ballistic computer uses the information it has about the munition and the combat environment, such as the temperature, firing range, wind speed, target velocity and atmospheric pressure to provide an aim point for the user. This is similar to the VOSEL (M2) sight Pakistan acquired with the , but with the ability to boost the threat credibility of exponentially cheaper RPG-7s.

Developing and producing solutions akin to the PD-7 may be of interest to the Pakistan MoDP, especially since these solutions can readily upgrade existing low-cost systems already available to Pakistan (without resulting in costly wide-scale induction programs).

As is the case with many smaller defence industries (e.g. South Africa, Brazil and Ukraine), Belarus has the ability to utilize its industrial infrastructure and talent pool to develop capable solutions provided there are sufficient levels of investment. Minsk seems to think of Pakistan as a potential source for that support, and Pakistan appears to be interested in the technology available.

Source: Quwa.

TAI GENERAL MANAGER MEETS WITH PAKISTAN’S MINISTER OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION..



The General Manager of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Dr. Temel Kotil, met with Pakistan’s Minister of Defence Production (MoDP) Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday, May 30 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

According to a issued by Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID), the MoDP lauded the growth in bilateral defence ties between Turkey and Pakistan.

The PID release also states that both sides “expressed satisfaction over ongoing cooperation in defence … [specifically the] PN Fleet Tanker, MILGEM Corvettes, 5th Generation Fighter ([Turkish] National Fighter Programme), T-129 attack helicopter and Super Mushshak Aircraft project.”

Notes & Comments:

TAI is working to secure Pakistan as its for the T129 ATAK attack helicopter. The Pakistan Army between the T129 and Changhe Z-10 to compliment its newly ordered Bell Helicopter AH-1Z Viper (the first three are due to reach Pakistan in 2017).

During IDEF 2017, which took place in Istanbul, Turkey in May, TAI and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) had two memoranda-of-understanding (MoU): a sale of 52 Super Mushshak for the Turkish Air Force and an agreement for enhancing collaboration between PAC and TAI. had reported that the latter agreement was in reference to the T129.

In an event hosted by İstanbul Düşünce Vakfı (Istanbul Thought Foundation) in February, Dr. Kotil that TAI was confident of landing a T129 sale to Pakistan. Seeing TAI’s head meet with the Pakistani MoDP in Pakistan could be a sign that momentum is building towards a big-ticket transaction, which have been relatively common in the past several months between the two countries. At various points in the recent past, TAI has also expressed interest in selling the drone and trainer to Pakistan.

Pakistan has also been as a possible partner or participant in the Turkish National Fighter program – i.e. the TFX. It is currently unclear if the MoDP is perceiving the TFX as a project for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) or as a separate commercial venture for Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). However, the PAF leadership did that it was in talks with several unspecified countries for 5th-generation fighters.

Source: Quwa.

Turkey's ASELSAN signs $25M contract with Pakistan..

ASELSAN announced that the company has signed a contract with an overseas customer for $24.9 million.

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A second order for the ASELPOD Electro Optical Targeting System, which gives precision capability to fighter jets, came from Pakistan.

According to the statement published by ASELSAN on the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), a contract amounting to $24.9 million has been signed with Pakistan to integrate ASELPOD into their air platforms.

Pakistan, which will pay a total of $24.9 million for 16 ASELPOD systems, will use these pods on the JF-17 fighter jets that it has developed jointly with China.

Developed by ASELSAN for the Turkish Air Force, ASELPOD system is used on the F-16 and F-4E 2020 aircrafts. The system transfers the captured images to the screen in front of the pilot.

The target is marked with a laser while being monitored with the camera. Spot-on shots can be fired with sensitive ammunition.

ASELSAN realized the first ASELPOD exports last June to Pakistan, which has re-ordered a year later. The said system will be used on JF-17 aircrafts that Pakistan has jointly developed with China.

Moreover, improving its commercial ties at home and abroad, ASELSAN recently struck a number of deals at the 13th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF '17).

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