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| India-Pakistan |
| US plans "significant" Pakistan missile sale |
| 2006-05-31 |
| WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration said Wednesday it was planning to let Pakistan buy advanced Boeing Co. Harpoon anti-ship missiles and related equipment valued at up to $370 million in "a significant upgrade" of the Asian nation's existing weapons systems. Of the total "Block II" Harpoon missiles sought by Pakistan, 50 would be for launch from submarines, 50 from surface ships and 30 by air, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a notice to Congress required by law. The equipment would provide "a significant upgrade to Pakistan's existing systems and allow for improved target acquisition," said the agency, which handles U.S. government-to-government weapons sales. The notice does not mean that a sale has been concluded. In addition, Congress can interfere. "This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be a key ally in the global war on terrorism," the agency added. Chicago-based Boeing describes the advanced Harpoon as capable of knocking out coastal defenses, surface-to-air missile sites and exposed aircraft as well as ships in port. It uses a satellite-aided inertial navigation system. The upgraded targeting capability "significantly reduces the risk of hitting noncombatant targets, thus improving Pakistan's naval operational flexibility," the agency told Congress. Pakistan, which has fought three wars with neighboring India since partition of British India in 1947, plans to use the Harpoon on its Lockheed Martin Corp. P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft, surface ships and submarines, the agency said. The Bush administration last June signed a 10-year defense pact with India outlining expanded two-way defense trade, missile-defense cooperation plans and increased opportunities for technology transfers and weapons co-production. Last year, Pentagon officials gave India a classified briefing on Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) short-range missile defense systems built by Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed and Raytheon Co. of Waltham, Massachusetts. |
| Posted by:john |
| #8 Sub launched Harpoon missiles? That can hit coastal regions? That is GPS guided? In the hands of Pakistan? Because Pakistan is such a staunch ally in WoT? |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2006-05-31 20:52 |
| #7 No different then selling all the infrastructure... Jerks |
| Posted by: 3dc 2006-05-31 20:27 |
| #6 This must mean Perv's time is limited. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-05-31 19:52 |
| #5 Jeez... all I can say is, "WTF????" Pakistan is part of the problem, not part of the solution. At least not long-term, that is... |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2006-05-31 19:35 |
| #4 Maybe we shoudl let me do the Delivery: "Yes I'll deliver them - need the ISI and its ops cheifs to be on hand to make sure you're getting what you paid for. I'll give you a 10 digit grid and a |
| Posted by: Oldspook 2006-05-31 18:51 |
| #3 Harpoon has a 350 kg warhead. Assuming China has been busy with the stolen W87 warhead design, they may be able to provide a cruise missile warhead to Pakistan. |
| Posted by: john 2006-05-31 18:49 |
| #2 WTF? With all the inaction (and outright doubledealing) Pak has provided in stopping the current Taliban incursions and we reward them? F*ck Pakistan. Sell the weapons to India |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-05-31 18:38 |
| #1 Sub launched Harpoon missiles? That can hit coastal regions? That is GPS guided? In the hands of Pakistan? |
| Posted by: john 2006-05-31 18:28 |