ABU DHABI Ñ Saudi Arabia has expanded Pakistan's military presence
in the kingdom.
Gulf defense sources said the Saudi government has approved projects for
Pakistan to help train and maintain units of the armed forces. The sources
said Riyad has also provided the green light for projects that include the
defense research and development as well as the joint production of weapons.
Saudi officials have acknowledged what they termed as an increasing
defense cooperation with Islamabad. They said Riyad has financed Pakistani
projects meant to expand Saudi's defense industry.
"There is cooperation between the two countries in economic and military
field," Saudi ambassador to Islamabad Ali Awadh Asseri said. "We want to do
a lot on economic front."
Last month, Asseri relayed a $95,000 check to Pakistan's Committee of
Science and Technology for 27 projects. The check was the second payment of
$380,000 to help Pakistani military research and development.
Asseri confirmed that a Saudi military delegation toured Pakistan last
week. The ambassador would not elaborate, but Gulf sources said the Saudis
were examining the transfer of several Pakistani weapons assembly lines to
the Arabian kingdom. The sources said Pakistan was also discussing
production of missiles in Saudi Arabia.
"We have continuous military cooperation with Pakistan and military
officers visit Pakistan on routine bases and the current visit is part of
that process," the Saudi ambassador said.
A key area of Pakistani involvement is the aviation field. The sources
said Riyad has increased the import of Pakistani laborers in the fields of
aviation training, overhaul and maintenance by up to 75 percent.
The sources said the Pakistani technicians will help maintain the Saudi
civilian fleet. But they did not rule out that Pakistan would move in
similar positions in certain areas of military aviation.
Last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia launched a factory to produce light
weapons and ammunition. The two countries are also discussing the joint
production of larger systems.
Pakistan is also said to be coordinating with China on projects in Saudi
Arabia. They include military and technical training in such areas as
missiles.
Last week, China and Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding on
military cooperation and weapons production.
