Pakistan - News and Discussion 6

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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->http://www.financialexpress.com/latest_ful...ntent_id=129103
<b>Pak to get killer 'US' missiles, India  endangered</b>
REUTERS

WASHINGTON, JULY 01:  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.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->