Russia is included into Pakistan by helicopters

The Minister of Defence visited Islamabad for the first time since 1969

The Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoygu arrived yesterday to Pakistan where met the colleague Asif Havadzhem and prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Signing of the agreement on the military cooperation, meaning, in particular, purchase of arms for the Pakistan army became the main result of negotiations. While negotiations go only on Mi-35 helicopters, but Islamabad other types of arms, including air defenses systems of average and small range interest also.

According to the source "Ъ" in the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, the arrangement on Sergey Shoygu’s visit to Islamabad it was reached during the Moscow conference on the international security which has taken place in May. The offer, according to the interlocutor "Ъ", proceeded from the Pakistan minister, "Sergey Kozhugetovich agreed with it, having promised to visit Pakistan until the end of the year".

The trip carefully prepared both parties: nobody wanted, that the first visit since 1969 Russian (and earlier Soviet) to Pakistan passed the Minister of Defence with slips. The route was thought over also: head of the Russian military man of department arrived to Islamabad from China being one of the main military-political allies of Pakistan, – there the minister participated in meeting of the mixed commission on VTS.

Questions of weapon deliveries to Islamabad became one of key and at negotiations with Asif Havadzhem and Nawaz Sharif. On their results the Russian minister reported that between the countries the agreement on military cooperation which "gives legal registration" to further work in this area is signed. As already reported "Ъ", the special exporter of the Russian arms "Rosoboronexport" carries on negotiations on delivery to Islamabad parties of Mi-35 helicopters by means of which the Pakistan military are going to resist to terrorists and drug dealers (see "Ъ" from June 9). According to the source "Ъ" involved in weapon export, the Pakistan military also show interest to purchase of anti-aircraft weapons of small and average range, long-range and operated shells, and also jet systems of volley fire.

"I am glad that we renewed our cooperation, I hope that it will be dynamic and multiplane", – prime minister Sharif declared. "I with interest expect preparation of our joint projects", – Sergey Shoygu answered it.

Representatives of the main geopolitical rival of Pakistan and the important military and technical ally of Russia – India – questions of strengthening of military cooperation of Islamabad and Moscow yet do not make comments. However, to the new Indian government led by Narendra Maudie to complain of a lack of attention from Russia it is not necessary: only this year the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Rogozin already visited this country twice to discuss questions of military and technical cooperation, nuclear power, investments, and also interaction of India and the Customs union. And visit to Delhi is planned for December 11 of the president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during whom, by data "Ъ", interaction of two countries in fuel and energy complex, in particular, will be discussed.

It is remarkable that the prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif too invited mister Putin to Islamabad, having sent the special invitation. According to the source "Ъ" in the Kremlin, visit can already take place next year.

Ivan Safronov