Pakistan is looking to strengthen its air defense system by procuring advanced Russian defense tech. Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan confirmed the news saying Islamabad and Russia are holding talks over the purchase of the Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jet, the T-90 main battle tanks (MBT) and the air defense system.
The minister didn’t specify any date as to when the purchase will be made. He did, however, tell that the negotiations are underway and it will be a long-term contract over the span of a few years.
Talking about the T-90 tanks, Khurram Khan told;
We are interested in tanks T 90, and it is not going to be a one time purchase, but it is going to be a long term commitment.
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Khan mentioned that negotiations for SU-35 are in early stages and both countries may reach a deal over the purchase of the jet in next few years.
The minister added;
The air defence system is another kind of weaponry in which we are interested in … we are negotiating, and when we complete it, we will be able to announce it.
The defense relations between Russia and Pakistan started back in 2014 when both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). In 2015, Pakistan ordered four Russian Mi-35M assault helicopters at an estimated cost of $153 million. All four helicopters were delivered to Pakistan Army in 2017.
