ISLAMABAD – The increasing defence co-operation between Pakistan and Russiaimply that the arrangement is essentially a paradigm shift in the defencepolicy framework of both countries.
Former army chief, General Raheel Sharif, visited Moscow in the year 2015.The visit was significant because Indo-Pak tensions were particularly highat that time. India and Pakistan were engaged in intermittent borderskirmishes across the Line of Control. The visit proved to be fruitful andresulted in the first ever mutual miRussia is currently a rlitary venturebetween Pakistan and Russia.
The first military exercise, Druzhba-216 (Friendship-2016), was heldbetween Pakistan and Russia in the year 2016. This military exercise lastedfor two weeks that not only strengthened the Pakistan-Russia military tiesbut also provided an environment conducive for trust building.
The defence landscape has multiple avenues to be explored and worked onmutually. Therefore, the increasing defence cooperation is expected to befocusing on other defence avenues as well along with joint military drills.
Prior to General Raheel’s visit to the Moscow, former army chief, GeneralAshfaq Pervez Kayani, also visited Russia.
Russia is currently a regional and global power. It is a former superpowerand permanent member of the UNSC. These substantial credentials and currentgeopolitical realities demand that Pakistan build stronger ties with Russia
Consequently, Russia and Pakistan signed a landmark defence agreement andRussia lifted an arm embargo on weapons exports to Pakistan in 2015.General Kayani’s initiative to visit Russia has further cemented themilitary relations between the two countries.
In this military to military cooperation, a recent deal is considerable tobe discussed. Pakistan and Russia agreed to the $153 million helicopterdeal during former army Chief General Raheel Sharif’s visit to Russia inJune 2016.
A preliminary contract was concluded at the Pakistan Army GeneralHeadquarters in Rawalpindi in August, 2015. The Pakistan Army AviationCorps (PAAC) took delivery of four Russian-made Mi-35M attack helicopterswhich was confirmed by Pakistan’s Defence Export Promotion Organisation(DEPO) in a statement issued at International Military-Technical Forum(Army 2017), which took place in Moscow from 22 to 27 August, 2017.
It is a noteworthy point that in order to acquire Russian equipment,Pakistan would usually pass through China — a country which is not knownfor manufacturing heavy aircraft engines. However, after dropping China asa ‘middle man’, Pakistan struck the first deal of helicopters with Russia.
Besides, Russia has also expressed concerns over the emergence of IslamicState (IS) in Afghanistan. Undoubtedly, IS in Afghanistan has majorconsequences for Central Asia and Russian territories with Muslimpopulations. In this regard, the Pakistan’s military has been extensivelyexposed to and gained experience in counter-terrorism. Pakistan army’sexperience in countering guerrilla warfare in Pakistan’s mountainous areasadjacent to Afghanistan has enough importance to be shared with Russia.
Terrorism has become imminent threat for Russia. To counter the scourge ofterrorism, mutual defence cooperation and mutual efforts are crucial.Pakistan army has widely operated against terrorism and can provide primaryassistance and training to Russia.
Keeping in view the geographical status and Russian counter-terrorismconcerns, a counter-terrorism alliance may also be one of the points offocus in defence cooperation. It is also noteworthy that the Russian DeputyChief of General Staff visited Waziristan a few months ago with hismilitary delegation and observed Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts.
In the regional scenario, both countries are expected to get mutualstrategic benefits in the strengthening of ties. Russia is currently aregional and world power, a former superpower and permanent member ofUnited Nations Security Council. These substantial credentials acutelydemand that Pakistan needs to build stronger ties with Russia especiallywhen the US supports Indian major roles in the region.
The US appears to be more inclined towards India regardless of the factthat Pakistan has been its front line ally in the so called ‘war on terror’and suffered the loss of armed forces and civilians. Therefore, a paradigmshift in defence policy framework and defence cooperation of Pakistan isthe need of time.
In the predictable future, Pakistan and Russia may find various grounds tocarry out joint ventures. Recently, the US has surpassed Russia as thelargest arms exporter to India. Surprisingly, Pakistan is still an untappedmarket for Russian arms and military equipment. Russia can utilisePakistan’s markets for economic gains as Pakistan bought the helicoptersworth millions of dollars. Keeping in view these points, defencecooperation between Russia and Pakistan seems imperative especially whenthe regional arrangements and security order support cooperation.
By: Babar Ali Bhatti