Pakistan may betray its best friend China, abandon billion dollar defence deal

By Anish Kumar | First Published Sep 2, 2021, 3:09 PM IST

In the backdrop of growing military bonhomie between Pakistan and Ukraine, China fears that its all-weather ally, Pakistan may abandon the procurement of its VT-4 tanks worth $1 billion.

In the backdrop of growing military bonhomie between Pakistan and Ukraine, China fears that its all-weather ally, Pakistan may abandon the procurement of its VT-4 tanks worth $1 billion.

According to intelligence reports, the situation has changed after Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Ukraine in May this year and expressed interest in different sets of military weapons, including T-84 OPLOT Main Battle Tanks and Skif anti-tank system.

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The trials for Ukrainian T-84 tanks were conducted in Pakistan last year.

Also Read: China and Pakistan to 'observe' as India takes part in ZAPAD wargames in Russia

However, the first batch of the Chinese combat tanks was inducted into Pakistan Army’s armoury in July this year. The two countries had signed a deal to procure 292 tanks.

The VT4 is a Chinese main battle tank of the export version. It is also known as the MBT-3000 and is being marketed by NORINCO.

As per the Pakistani security analysts, the country is no more interested in China-made VT-4 tanks.

Earlier in 2018, Pakistan was exploring buying T-90 MBT from Russia but the Russian government was not keen on delivering to Islamabad. This even though the two countries had signed a defence pact in 2014.

Also Read: 'To win future wars, India cannot be import-dependent'

The pact led to the first-ever sale of Russian military equipment to Pakistan in 2015. Pakistan procured four Mi-35Ms and a few Mi-171Es from Moscow.

On declining Pakistan's offer to buy over 300 T-90 tanks by Russia, Indian analysts say that Moscow does not want to further antagonise New Delhi.

In 2019, India cleared the procurement of 464 T-90 tanks from Russia in a deal worth over Rs 13,500 crore. After its failed attempt with Moscow, Pakistan moved to Ukraine to further enhance its relations.

During General Qamar Javed Bajwa's visit to Ukraine, the two militaries agreed to further enhance their military to military cooperation in defence production, counter-terrorism, training, and intelligence domains.

Also See: Photos of Indian Army in action in Russia's Volgograd

Since the 2014 crisis, Ukraine and China relations have changed in economic terms. Beijing has become the single largest trading country as it accounts for 14.4 per cent of its imports and 15.3 per cent of its exports.

While the economic relations have flourished over the last few years between the two countries, the political ties are still constant. That's because China preferred to vote with Russia at the United Nations against resolutions condemning the annexation of Crimea and further threats to Ukraine's territorial integrity.

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