fieldmarshal
September 8th, 2004, 08:03 PM
US to sell $78m radio systems to Pakistan
WASHINGTON: The US Defence Department on Tuesday said it agreed to sell Pakistan $78 million worth of Harris Corp High Frequency/Very High Frequency radio systems to help improve its ability to gather intelligence.
Pakistan, a key ally of the United States in its hunt for the al-Qaeda militant organisation, needs the radios to relay updated and current intelligence between patrols and higher headquarters, according to the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales.
"This proposed sale will contribute to furthering the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping a friendly country provide for its own security against terrorist activity along its porous borders," the agency said in its official notification to Congress.
The US Congress has 30 days to object to the sale, although this rarely happens. The radios would also help increase the ability of the US and Pakistani forces to communicate, as they work to curtail and eliminate extremist activities, the agency said.
Rochester, New York-based Harris is prime contractor for the contract, which includes 1,635 20-watt high frequency man pack radios, 1,635 high-frequency vehicular systems, six 400-watt base stations, and a variety of spare parts, training equipment and logistical support.
WASHINGTON: The US Defence Department on Tuesday said it agreed to sell Pakistan $78 million worth of Harris Corp High Frequency/Very High Frequency radio systems to help improve its ability to gather intelligence.
Pakistan, a key ally of the United States in its hunt for the al-Qaeda militant organisation, needs the radios to relay updated and current intelligence between patrols and higher headquarters, according to the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales.
"This proposed sale will contribute to furthering the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping a friendly country provide for its own security against terrorist activity along its porous borders," the agency said in its official notification to Congress.
The US Congress has 30 days to object to the sale, although this rarely happens. The radios would also help increase the ability of the US and Pakistani forces to communicate, as they work to curtail and eliminate extremist activities, the agency said.
Rochester, New York-based Harris is prime contractor for the contract, which includes 1,635 20-watt high frequency man pack radios, 1,635 high-frequency vehicular systems, six 400-watt base stations, and a variety of spare parts, training equipment and logistical support.