Pakistan to get F-16s

July 05, 2006
WASHINGTON: The Bush administration has upset India by unveiling plans to sell up to 36 F-16 fighters to Pakistan in a deal that could be worth $US5 billion ($6.8 billion).

Under the proposed deal, Pakistan will buy 18 new F-16 aircraft with an option to purchase another 18 new planes.

"Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally, which has co-operated closely with us in the global war on terror," White House spokesman Tony Snow said yesterday. "This proposed sale demonstrates our commitment to a long-term relationship with Pakistan."

The deal includes a "support package for up to 26 used F-16s, a munitions package, an upgrade package for Pakistan's current fleet of 34 F-16s, and logistical support", he said.

In New Delhi, a foreign ministry spokesman said the move would not help ties between the two south Asian nuclear-armed rivals. "This has been the subject of discussion with the US government in the past," he said.

"In fact, the Prime Minister himself has expressed disappointment at the US approach to President Bush."

President George W. Bush's administration notified the US Congress of the plan on June 28, Mr Snow said.

Pakistan agreed in April to buy a scaled-down package of US F-16 fighters after forgoing a larger purchase to finance relief efforts following last year's devastating earthquake, which killed more than 73,000 people.

Washington blocked the sale of F-16s to Pakistan for 15 years to protest against its nuclear weapons program, but gave the green light in March 2005 to reward the nation for its help in the war on terror.

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India testing Missiles

India tests missile able to reach Beijing
July 10, 2006

BHUBANESHWAR: India has conducted its first test of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with the range to reach the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

The Agni-III missile, which has a range of 4000km, was launched yesterday from Wheeler Island, 180km northeast of Bhubaneshwar in the eastern state of Orissa, defence officials said.

In May, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the Agni-III, India's longest-range ballistic missile, was ready but that the country was observing "self-imposed restraint" before testing.

Opposition parties criticised the delay, blaming US pressure.

New Delhi and Washington reached a landmark deal in March that will have sanctions lifted on India's access to civilian nuclear technology.

Sunday's test launch came just four days after North Korea sparked an international outcry by test-firing seven missiles.

A Defence Research and Development Organisation source said the Indian test was successful.

A snag in the booster rocket system of the Agni-III had been detected two weeks ago, delaying its test, he said, adding: "Now we have papered over the problem and hence the launch window was chosen as Sunday."

The missile was tracked during take-off, re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere and splashdown in the Bay of Bengal. The Agni is one of five missiles being developed by the DRDO under its Integrated Guided Missile Development Program launched in 1983.

Nuclear rivals India and Pakistan routinely notify each other of missile tests. The two countries came to the brink of a fourth war in 2002 following a December 2001 attack on India's parliament by suspected Pakistan-backed militants. Islamabad denied any role in the attack.

In January 2004 the two sides began a peace process that has led to a ceasefire in the divided Himalayan state of Kashmir.

In May 1998, India conducted five nuclear tests, saying China was a security threat. The tests were matched two weeks later by Pakistan, which India says has received Beijing's assistance for its nuclear program, a claim denied by China.

But tensions between China and India have abated in the past two years. Last week a famed Silk Road pass in the Himalayas was reopened after 44 years.

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