Russia Unveiled New 5th Generation Fighter Jet

 

By News Desk

Russia has unveiled a new 5th generation fighter jet earlier in this week. It is a single engine fighter just like American F-35 Lightening II. 

Russia is planning to showcase the fighter on 26th July 2021 during MAKS 2021 military hardware exhibition in Moscow.

It is believed that this new stealth fighter carries the same power plant which powers first Russian 5th gen fighter jet SU-57 Felon. 

Single engine 5th generation fighter jet of Russia would enable Russian air force to compete with NATO in next generation fighter era as it is going to play a critical role in overall balance of air power in Europe and Asia.

China is already in the race of producing 5th generation fighters. It has produced heavy J-20 Mighty Dragon and medium weight J-31. Both of these are though twin engine unlike American F-35 or this new Russian fighter. 

Chinese Troops and Turkish Military Band to Participate in Pakistan Day Parade: ISPR

ISPR, on Monday, announced that Chinese troops and Turkish military bands will participate in Pakistan Day parade which is to be held on 23rd of this month in Islamabad.

DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor stated that Chinese Army troops will arrive in Islamabad to participate in Pakistan Day celebrations. A Turkish military band will also participate in the parade.

The parade is organized by joint staff headquarters in Rawalpindi, which oversees the three armed forces of Pakistan.Pakistan in 2015, held its first Pakistan Day parade after a hiatus of seven years. The display of pageantry aimed at showing the country has the upper hand in the fight against terrorists as the nation reeled from the worst militant attack in its history as 142 children were killed an army-run school in Peshawar.

The decision to invite friendly countries in national day parade is a significant move by Islamabad in the context of Indian diplomatic overtures to isolate Pakistan in the international community. This is not the only occasion when Pakistan is going to use its military diplomacy to thwart the perception of being isolated globally. Last year, Pakistan held international PACES multilateral military games in Lahore in which troops from 16 nations participated

Al-Qaeda Regrouping and Implications for Pakistan

By Tariq Niaz

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. This Sun Tzu philosophy should have been the key to take on the combined Arab Afghan tribal militancy instead after 9/11 US led allies preferred use of lethal force. It is almost five years now that Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US raid in Abbottabad. In its immediate aftermath there have been many more killings of Al-Qaeda’s key field commander considered number three and four in the ranking i.e. Abu Yahya Al-Libi and Attiya Abdur Rahman al Libi. After Osama, Dr. Ayman Al Zawahiri the then number two came up as an obvious choice to lead Al-Qaeda which also initiated its transition from Arab to an Egyptian Akhwan dominated one. This change of leadership had drastic political and financial impact on the organization which was once flag bearer of militancy in the region.      

Osama trusted lieutenants used to be from Libya, Yemen Syria or Iraq and very few from Egypt. This Arab dominance was instrumental in creating massive appeal for funding and recruitment amongst tribal Arabs. Due to his Egyptian background, Dr Zawahiri failed to maintain this support base. Gradual loosening of command and control provided space to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi’s Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) which not only moved the center of struggle from Khorasan to the valley of two rivers but also took over effective control of flow of funds emanating from private sources in the entire Arab world. ISIS kept pace with emerging requirements of Sunni Salfi ideology and focused its war on near enemy against Al-Qaeda approach of far enemy first. Due to Pakistan Army operation in the lawless FATA and US sustained drone campaign in both Afghanistan and Pakistan strength of Pakistani Taliban was decimated. During 2014, Zawahiri announced formation of another franchise Al-Qaeda in Indian subcontinent (AQIS), an effort to spread militancy in Pakistan, India and beyond from the port city of Karachi. 

Formation of this new franchise raised many questions. Was Al-Qaeda shifting its focus from Afghanistan and Iran to Pakistan, India and beyond thus leaving its Afghan stronghold to ISIS? Had it purposely or under duress surrendered Khorasan to the ISIS thus facilitating encirclement of Iran? Was Al-Qaeda trying to establish itself in settled areas where availability of organized militant networks can be more useful to its future global designs? All question aside, the latest Al-Qaeda move of concentrating in mega city like Karachi can have dreadful implications for the entire South Asia in general and Karachi in particular.  

Al-Qaeda appeal to youth was centered on its ideology of following pious ancestors (Salaf) and establishing Islamic Caliphate to enforce Sharia. That seems intact especially in settled areas of Pakistan where it targets educated youths to fill its ranks. The two terror incidents of Parade Lane at Rawalpindi and Safoora Goth in Karachi in which the facilitators were mostly from educated families vindicate the assertion. The facilitator network in Islamabad and Karachi played an effective role for the foot soldiers brought from FATA to conduct the killings. Karachi, due to ineffective policing, governance issues, political rivalries and social division on ethnic, linguistic and sectarian lines has turned into a lawless paradise for criminals. AQIS is fast gaining grounds in Karachi thanks largely to its vast network of Madrassas and sympathizers. Local Al-Qaeda leadership is not to be seen in prominence but foot soldiers of their affiliate are active in target killings, abduction and ransom crimes. AQIS ranks will soon be battle hardened to undertake larger Trans frontier operations.  Where Al-Qaeda would strike next and what it aims to do in South Asia especially in the backdrop of worsening Pak-India relations is a question likely to bring nightmares to the counter-terrorism experts. 

Can Al-Qaeda do this alone or it will team up with local militant organizations like Lashkar e Jhangvi or Urban Taliban networks will be interesting to watch in the near future. Urban Karachi provide  wide choice to Al-Qaeda to penetrate nontraditional recruitment grounds including Mohajir, Bengali and other immigrants communities to fight for the enforcement of sharia. AQIS presence is like an umbrella and its alliance with the local militant groups is evident from the rising intensity in target killing, abduction and ransom crimes in Karachi. AQIS major operation in the city was its attempted hijacking of Pakistani Navy vessel from the port of Karachi in September 2014. Recent upsurge in target killing, abduction and ransom crimes indicate that Al-Qaeda alliance with the local militant organization and criminal gangs is complete. AQIS is likely raise crimes intensity systematically and a particular sectarian group will be targeted in Karachi to draw both Sunni and Shia against each other. This is start of a bigger terror campaign with possible targets outside Pakistani borders in the near future to destroy the regional peace and harmony.
About Author:

Author is a freelance writer. He gained firsthand experience in security and counterterrorism and is expert in this domain with years of professional experience. He mostly writes about security issues and counter terrorism challenges posed to the state of Pakistan.  He can be reached at niaz_tariq@yahoo.com

Nucleus of Indian Foreign Policy: Isolating Pakistan & Beyond!

By Shahzad Masood Roomi

Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the US was yet another vivid display of Indian foreign policy which is being driven by the Hindutva-inspired ultra-nationalism and hegemonic mindset where Pakistan is being considered an ultimate challenge in Indian ambitions of becoming a regional power hence needs to be dealt with.

While addressing to joint session of the US congress on 8^th of June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it crystal that the idea of isolating Pakistan, under the pretext of harboring terrorism, is the nucleus of Indian foreign policy but that is not the only objective India is eying as far as “fixing” Pakistan is concerned. India wants world against and at war with Pakistan. The text of Modi’s speech leaves very little to imagine other than that, this has become ‘the strategic’ goal of India. 

Inching Towards Showdown

By Tariq Niaz Bhatti

Recent elimination of Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, Amir of Afghan Taliban in a Drone strike speaks of US administration frustration in the ongoing protracted war in Afghanistan. Reportedly it was daylight Drone attack but a close look at the scattered evidence on the site of incident, tells a different story, a mismatch to the official version. But alleged drone strike vindicates the US unilateralism; the reluctance to be bound by rules made for others. The New World Order and its enforcement requires Imperial US power to be used to secure economic, political and military gains and ward off security threat to its economic and military interests all over the globe. Hence, the US forces are found operating in Syria and Iraq to recapture the areas lost to self-proclaimed Jihadist groups like ISIS and are planning to send troops in Libya to stabilize the security situation there.

Chabahar Port- A joint Iran- India Initiative to Outsmart Gwadar

By Tariq Niaz

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Iran in late May and signed a series of twelve memorandums of understanding (MOU) which centered upon the Iranian Port of Chabahar. In addition to bilateral MOUs, PM Modi also signed a trilateral transit agreement with Iran and Afghanistan which allows Indian goods to reach Afghanistan through Iran. The expanding Indian economic cooperation with Iran reflect on its changing foreign policy initiatives in the fast evolving geopolitics of the region and its response to much hyped China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and development of Gwadar Port in Baluchistan. 

India's Maritime Strategy: Fishing in Troubled Waters

 

By Shahzad Masood Roomi

India has finally decided to fish in troubled waters of South China Sea in order to showcase her maritime power projection capabilities. According to media reports, the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet has sailed out, on 18th May, on an "operational deployment" to the South China and North West Pacific. This operational deployment is significant development in the contentious geography of South China Sea which has become hotbed of strategic maritime competition between China and the US and her allies. 

Tempest-II Wargame: PAF Seeks Operational Synergy With Army, Navy

By News Desk

Islamabad—Pakistan Air Force (PAF) seeks to enhance its operational synergy with two sister forces in latest wargame, Tempest-II which commenced yesterday here in Islamabad. According to news, a detailed inaugural briefing regarding the aim, objectives and conduct of the PAF exercise Tempest-II was held at Nur Khan Auditorium Air Headquarters, Islamabad, on Tuesday. Opening cermony was attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCS) General Rashad Mahmood along with top tier of tri-service was also present along with Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.

Pakistan, US and F-16s: What is Wrong in the Mix?

By Shahzad Masood Roomi

In the latest twist in ever shaky Pak-US relations, the US has told Pakistan to arrange the full US$699 million to get 8 F-16s Block 52s instead of spending just US$276 million for the same after Senate Committee on Foreign Relations members and head barred the Obama administration from using the American taxpayers money to subsidies the deal. According to original deal, the US was to arrange US$430 million through Foreign Military Financing (FMF).

Russia: Intensive Weapon Testing of PAK-FA

By News Desk
 
Russian latest 5th generation fighter Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA 'fifth-generation' has conducted trials of munitions launched from its internal weapons bays for the first time, the former commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) General Vladimir Mikhailov told state TV.

Despite the announcement, the claim could not be confirmed by any other sources, and neither has it been disclosed which weapon types were launched during the trials.

According to IHS Janes, there are total 5 prototypes of PAK-FA out of which 3 prototypes (T-50-3, T-50-4, and T-50-5R)  have necessary avionics and radars installed required for weapon testing. These three prototypes are currently in the Ministry of Defence's test centre in Akhtubinsk, which specializes in the testing of mission systems and airborne weapons.

At the same time, the T-50-1 and T-50-2 are undergoing captive-carry tests in Zhukovsky near Moscow with various configurations of external loads. Among the noticed configurations there are two air-to-surface Kh-31 and two air-to-air R-73 missiles, and also six 250-kg free-fall bombs.

According to unofficial information, a sixth prototype will depart the production facility in Komsomolsk-on-Amur at the end of April. It will be the first aircraft of the second test batch, reportedly fitted with significant changes in the airframe structure.

PAKFA project has direct relevance to Indo-Pak military balance as well. India's next generation fighter program (FGFA) is based on PAKFA fighter. Though there are certain issues where both the countries are yet to settle their differences like amount of Indian investment and Russian cooperation in terms of transfer of technology to India along with the aircraft. 

IAF is planning to induct FGFA by mid of next decade and once inducted, this would pose a serious challenge to PAF which has not yet announced any plans to induct any next generation fighter aircraft and is contended with modernizing its 4th generation fighter fleet comprising on F-16s and JF-17 Thunders.

ISIS Eying Europe to Acquire Nuclear Material

 

By Shahzad Masood Roomi

Pakistan is often sighted by many western analysts as potential source of supply of nuclear material for international nuclear terrorism. India has used these fear for her own geopolitical reasons. For instance, in May 2015, India "warns" the world that ISIS could obtain nuclear weapon from Pakistan.

Defence Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, while speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La regional security conference in Singapore, claimed "With the rise of Isis in West Asia, one is afraid to an extent that perhaps they might get access to a nuclear arsenal from states like Pakistan." 

To corroborate his claim he just had a statement issued by ISIS last year just days before Rao's speech in Singapore. Despite the lack of any proof, the statement of Indian minister got attention of wider western populace. But today, UK based news service, The Guardian, has exposed chilling details about ISIS's original plan to acquire nuclear material (for possible purpose of making a dirty bomb) and according to the news, ISIS is actually eying Germany for acquisition of nuclear material.  

According to the Guardian, Salah Abdeslam, a prime suspect in the Paris attacks, possessed documents about a nuclear research centre in Germany. The news outlet cited German newspaper reports as source of this disclosure.

The Juelich centre near the Belgium-Germany border is used for the storage of atomic waste. Thoguh German media is trying to downplaying the incident by saying "that there was no indication of any danger and that Juelich was in contact with security authorities and nuclear supervisors." But question remains, how an ISIS fighter was able to get its hands on such information.

As per Guardian's report, German media, however, confirmed that Abdeslam had photos of the Juelich chairman, Wolfgang Marquardt, in his apartment in the Molenbeek area of Brussels. This is serious development. Kidnapping of such officials at any nuclear facility could lead to far serious security dilemma. This revelations must also put the entire debate on nuclear security into a completely new perspective based on objectivity and transparency rather than geopolitical maneuvering by any nation state against anyone. 

  

India Conducts Second and Third Secret Tests Of K-4 SLBM

BY News Desk (DefenseNews.in): India tested it's most ambitious weapon -- the K-4 submarine-launched long range ballistic missile -- twice last month. Top sources tell Livefist that the two tests, both conducted at less than ceiling range of 3,500 km were conducted at an undisclosed location in the south Bay of Bengal.

"Zarb-e-Azb is Not Only an Operation But a Wholesome Concept", Gen Raheel Sharif

BY NewsDesk

Pakistan Army chief, Gen. Raheel has declared that operation Zarb-e-Azb is not only an operation but a wholesome concept. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Op Zarb-e-Azb is not only an operation but a wholesome concept. It ultimately aims at breaking the syndicate of terrorism, extremism and corruption.", he said. He was addressing to a seminar held at a hotel here in Gawadar.

Pak-China Joint Air Force Exercise 'Shaheen-5' Begins

By News Desk

China's air force on Saturday began joint training exercises with that of Pakistan, China's defence ministry said, as the two nations' militaries strengthen operational ties. The military drill, code-named “Shaheen (Eagle)-5” began on April 9 in Pakistan and will continue till April 30.
“China’s Air Force hopes to widen the scope of cooperation and dialogue with all countries and regions,” the Chinese Ministry of Defense statement said in a statement quoted by Reuters. 

 

As far as the composition of participating units, no details  where offered by Pakistani or Chinese side. Considering the respective components from the both sides in the previous exercises it is prudent that both sides will deploy front-line fighters along with force multipliers (AWACS and Air Refuelers).  The exercise will continue next three weeks.
Last year’s Shaheen-4, featured fourth-generation fighter jets and bombers as well as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The PAF alone participated with three different types of frontline fighter aircraft from different squadrons (likely the JF-17 Thunder, Dassault Mirage III/5, and F7 PG fighter aircraft).
The PLAAF and PAF have held Shaheen series exercises on regular basis since March 2011. The second training exercise took place in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in western China in September 2013, the third was held in Punjab, Pakistan, in May 2014.
Speaking to Reuters, the PAF second-in-command, Air-Vice Marshal Muhammad Ashfaque Arain, said that the PAF heavily relies on its fleet of around 70 U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets in its anti-terrorist operations in Pakistan. Whether any F-16 aircraft will participate in the training exercise is unknown. In February, the United States finally approved a possible of eight additional F-16 Block-52 fighters to Pakistan in a deal valued at $699 million.
Earlier, this Monday, the PAF also inducted 16 upgraded JF-17 Thunder Block II combat aircraft during a handover ceremony in Kamra, also known as Aviation City, the center of aircraft manufacturing in Pakistan. And now the chief of air staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman has said that Pakistan is going to produce 24 JF-17 Thunder fighters in 2016 after achieving the milestone of producing 16 in 2015.

Zarb: Pakistan's Latest Anti-Ship Missile

By News Desk

DEVELOPING STORY:

Pakistan Navy on Saturday successfully test-fired ground based anti-ship missile, Zarb.

It is not clear if this a navalized version of Babur LACM cruise missile or a variant of Chinese C-602 anti-ship missile. Range of the missile has not been disclosed so far by Pakistan Navy neither any picture of the missile is available till now.

Indian Army to setup a new Military Base in Ladakh

 

(DefenseNews.in) The state government has “legally handed over five lakh kanals of land to the army for setting up a new military base, firing ranges and for other defence purposes in Ladakh”, a Chandigarh-based newspaper reported. The army shall be setting up artillery firing range over 40,000 kanals at Mandal Thang in Leh district. “We have given the approval to authorise 5 lakh kanals to the army in Ladakh for defence purposes, including establishing bases and firing ranges,” the report quoted the officials as saying, without mentioning his name. As per the report, the deputy secretary, Revenue, Ghulam Rasool, said the process had been initiated to legally authorise to the army the land that was under the force’s unlawful possession.

Pakistan reveals interest in Russian dual-control Mi-28NEs

BY News Desk

(IHS Janes)Pakistan has shown interest in acquiring the latest Russian Mil Mi-28NE Night Hunter dual-control variant of the Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter.  IHS Jane's reported on 24 March citing a Pakistani diplomatic source .

Due to its ballistic and radio-electronic protection,  dual-control variant of Mi-28NE meets the Pakistani armed forces' requirements for a platform in counter-terrorism operations. The dual-control Mi-28NE's advanced ballistic protection kit allows the helicopter to withstand several hits from 23 mm (airframe) and 30 mm (composite rotor blades) shells. Apart from it, its combat effectiveness has been improved over the basic Mi-28NE as both the pilot and gunner can control the aircraft.

Such features can significantly enhance the level of a helicopter's survivability on the modern battlefield, where adversaries frequently have anti-aircraft guns and man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS).

Russia has previously offered Pakistan four Mi-28NEs without dual controls to support Islamabad's counter-terrorism operations: an offer that fostered resentment from India. The source noted that, although that offer was not furthered, when Rostvertol, Mil's parent company, launched serial production of the dual-control Mi-28NE, "Pakistan showed its intention to take the issue from the table".

In 2015 Islamabad signed a contract with Russian defence export agency Rosoboronexport for four Mi-35M ('Hind-J') attack helicopters, the deliveries of which are scheduled for 2016.

More RAW Agents Apprehended

BY News Desk

Based on the information of captured RAW officer Kulbhushan Yadev, Intelligence agencies have apprehended four more operatives of the Indian covert agency RAW . Latest arrests were made from Lahore and Karachi after Yadev started singing like a bird during the investigations.

One of these four operatives hailing from Kalat, Balochistan was identified as Deepak Kumar Prakash, according sources, whose linkage to RAW was established through an ‘undercover officer’ of the Indian high commission. He visited India in 2014, where he was given 50,000 rupees and extension in visa. One of Deepak’s brothers also lives in India, who was also given 4-5 lacs.

Another member of Kulbhushan Yadav’s spy network named Nadeem alias Uncle was rounded from Karachi, said sources. He was arrested in a joint operation together with intelligence personnel.

Muhammad Shafiq, another foreign agent, was also nabbed from Karachi.

While two more Indian nationals working as engineers in a sugar mill belonging to sharif family which is quiet a serious matter and is being debated in national media as well.


Khara Sach with Mubashir Lucman – 28th March 2016 by kashifkhemtio23

Pakistan Seeks Iranian Help to Stop RAW's Ingress in Baluchistan

BY News Desk

ISLAMABAD: According to ISRP (media wing of Pakistan military), the involvement of India’s top spy agency in Balochistan was discussed in a meeting between Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Iranian President Hassan Rowhani.

Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa tweeted following messages after the meeting.

RAW's Baluchistan Project

By Shahzad Masood Rooomi

Pakistani intelligence operatives, on Thursday, arrested Kal Boshan Yadav a serving Indian Navy commander level officer from Baluchistan near Pak-Afghan border. He was given a fake identity of Hussain Mubarik Patel in Pakistan by Indian foreign intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).