Pakistan has been buying weapons endlessly, a latest report from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows.
The report says that Pakistan emerged as one of the largest arms importers in the Asia-Pacific between 2016 and 2020.
However, the dip in India’s weapon purchases is attributed to New Delhi’s efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian arms.
Pakistan’s budget document shows that the defence outlay for 2020-21 would be Pakistani Rs 1,289 billion.
The report highlights that New Delhi’s top three arms suppliers during 2016-20 were Russia, France and Israel.
Moreover, India is planning large-scale imports in the coming years. This has significantly reduced reliance on Russia and the US.
What weapons has Pakistan imported?
Pakistan has purchased a second-hand Mirage 5 supersonic aircraft from Egypt.
AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters from Italy. Also Mi-35M attack helicopters and a transport plane from Russia.
The SIPRI report says that Pakistan has imported three different types of anti-ship and anti-tank missiles from China.
It’s defence policy and military spending have always been India-centric.
The country has also acquired large quantities of naval guns, bombs, ammunition, tanks, and anti-ship missiles, and surface-to-air missiles.
As Pakistan is heavily dependent on China, it has provided the Islamic nation with two different types of JF-17 fighter jets.
Moreover, Pakistan has taken Type 041 / Yuan submarines and Type 054-A warships (frigates) from Beijing, with both being developed within Pakistan.
Pakistan has acquired the capability to manufacture submarines, naval warships, fighter jets, and helicopters locally at the Karachi Dockyard and Aeronautical Complex Kamra.
Besides, Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) also has the potential to develop small arms and ammunition.
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