Pakistan-Russia Arms Deal
Pakistan has shown interest to sign a deal to purchase military hardware worth billions of dollars from Russia. According to reports, the deal is expected to amount $9 billion under which Islamabad would purchase heavy and medium fighter jets, medium and short-range air defense systems, tanks, combat helicopters, and warships. For years, China has remained the major arms supplier to Pakistan, especially after the latter decided to reduce its reliance. The deputy director of the Moscow-based defense think tank Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. Makeinko revealed that two types of Russian military hardware can make Pakistan’s shopping list, i.e., the new Russian fighter jet MiG-35 and the heavy transport helicopter Mi-26T2. However, the news is yet to be confirmed by Pakistani officials. Pakistan was the 9th largest importer of major weapons in the world, while the country witnessed a staggering 36 per cent decrease in arms imports during the las...