Pakistan is reportedly buying 48 drones from its all-weather friend China, in a deal that’s said to be the largest of its kind.
According to Chinese media reports, Pakistan will import 48 Wing Loong II Chinese drones to boost its air defence system and maintain the balance of power in the region in the face of arms race triggered by India.
China’s state-run Global Times newspaper quoted a Chinese military observer as saying the deal is the largest such arms deal of its kind.
Pakistan Air Force’s Sherdils Aerobatic Team said that in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones.
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Wing Loong II, made by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company, is a high-end reconnaissance and strike multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system.
It made its maiden flight in February last year, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
The largest overseas order for Wing Loong IIs was obtained even before the maiden flight, Xinhua reported. The report did not specify the buyer.
A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong IIs, if confirmed, would be China’s largest export deal for drones to date, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times.
It makes sense that the aerobatic team was closely involved with the deal, Song said, noting that the team is expected to train the drone operators.
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The deal is trustworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan’s need for drones, Song said.
US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said.
Chinese drones will enjoy more success in the international market in the future, he said, as they perform similarly at a lower cost.
“Chinese UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) like Caihong series also has clients from countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia,” Song said.
I don’t know how to react to this news. I don’t think Imran Khan would be happy with this deal too. Since the economy needs a much-needed attention, I don’t think IK would be foolish enough to agree with this deal. Questions would be raised on how the money would be sourced to buy these when IK is asking donations for building a basic necessity like a dam.
Government asks (begs) citizens for building a dam. They spend taxpayers money on these new toys. I understand security should be of importance. Are we a North Korea in the making?
Govt is going to build Dam next year.
Gov. is moving forward with fast pace and continuing operation against money launderers and land mafia. Dams will be build with some help of IMF funds (since we need it badly because recovering money takes time) and i think next 6-8 months will tough for nation and since drone deal will take time to complete in meantime much progress will be made No. of tax payers will grow and will continue to fill treasury and will boost economy.
Pakistan ko jb b peso ki zruruat thi jb Pakistan ne JF-17 thunder k lye 500Million usd (i think) dye they china ko 50/50 partnership pr.. bhaye ye sb chalta he..economy agr khuddey line lg jaye tb b ;)
What about pakistani drone Buraq????
wo chota sa pyara sa chunna munna sa he.. mushkil se 2 missile lekr urta he
i think it’s a good step regarding defense.
as always!! BOYS CONTINUE TO PLAY WELL….
a total waste of money–what those 48 drone can do to counter S400 missiles by India—instead Pakistan must build her own indigenous drones to save foreign exchange–another option is that Pakistan must build up cheap may not be that accurate surface to surface missiles in huge numbers to confuse and neutralize Indian S 400 missiles during any future war —
100% agree.. it will take a decade too!
by the way this whole news looks like a fake one as PAF sherdil team is not the official spokesperson .it has to be either ministry of defense ,or ISPR press release or foreign office
jaib main 2 kori nahi chaly hain nikly drones kharidny