yasin_khan
August 12th, 2007, 05:26 AM
Russian military equipment needed to combat terrorism
Pakistan has asked Russia for military weapons and reconnaissance aircrafts to combat terrorism in its remote areas and high mountain terrain bordering Afghanistan.
"We have recently asked Russia to provide equipment for anti-terrorist operations," Pakistani Ambassador Mustafa Kamal Qazi.
Mustafa Kamal has said that Pakistani request has been made calling for closer Russia-Pak ties in combating terrorism and illegal drug trafficking. However, he denied to disclose the equipment requested by Pakistan.
"Anti-terror combat has its own specifics. They have bases in remote mountain areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan and often cross border -- you cannot go there by civilian helicopters," Qazi was quoted as saying by the daily.
"There is a need for aerial reconnaissance. That's why we have asked Russia for equipment, which could help us in combating with terrorists. This is aircraft and means of aerial reconnaissance," he said.
Pakistan currently uses Russian made Mi-17 dual-purpose helicopters, and it is believed that it is interested in acquiring helicopter gunships which are ususally used to fight the militants with the night-fighting capabilities.
The only night-fighting helicopter gunship currently in service with Pakistan is AH-1 Cobra helicopters which are probably not enough and expensive to continue fighting war on terror effectively.
Pakistan has asked Russia for military weapons and reconnaissance aircrafts to combat terrorism in its remote areas and high mountain terrain bordering Afghanistan.
"We have recently asked Russia to provide equipment for anti-terrorist operations," Pakistani Ambassador Mustafa Kamal Qazi.
Mustafa Kamal has said that Pakistani request has been made calling for closer Russia-Pak ties in combating terrorism and illegal drug trafficking. However, he denied to disclose the equipment requested by Pakistan.
"Anti-terror combat has its own specifics. They have bases in remote mountain areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan and often cross border -- you cannot go there by civilian helicopters," Qazi was quoted as saying by the daily.
"There is a need for aerial reconnaissance. That's why we have asked Russia for equipment, which could help us in combating with terrorists. This is aircraft and means of aerial reconnaissance," he said.
Pakistan currently uses Russian made Mi-17 dual-purpose helicopters, and it is believed that it is interested in acquiring helicopter gunships which are ususally used to fight the militants with the night-fighting capabilities.
The only night-fighting helicopter gunship currently in service with Pakistan is AH-1 Cobra helicopters which are probably not enough and expensive to continue fighting war on terror effectively.