Pakistan's cabinet has given the go-ahead to a USD one billion deal for a Swedish-made Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS.)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's cabinet has given the go-ahead to a USD one billion deal for a Swedish-made Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) which is expected to enhance the surveillance capability of the country's air force.
The deal is seen as an attempt to match India's acquisition of AWACS Falcon radar system from Israel.
The cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, approved the deal on Wednesday after a briefing by the Acting Secretary of Defence Production and a representative of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), official media reported here.
The cabinet was also informed about the operational capabilities of the aircraft-mounted radar system with Aziz lauding the PAF for striking a good and comprehensive deal.
Aziz said the deal was necessary to safeguard Pakistan's air defence and it was imperative for the PAF to have the system and equip it with state-of-the-art technology.
Sweden's AWACS incorporate 'Erie Eye' radars fitted on special planes of Swedish firm Saab with Ericsson company expected to provide the surveillance equipment.
In the aftermath of last year's October 8 earthquake, the Pakistan government had declined to put off the Saab deal while postponing plans to buy US-built F-16 planes. The acquisition of AWACS is an initiative to strengthen the country's defence preparedness and make it impregnable, APP news agency said.
The AWACS deal follows another USD 600 million deal to buy four naval frigates from China along with transfer of technology. Four more frigates are being bought from Greece.
During the briefing before the cabinet, co-production of the JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft by Pakistan and China was also discussed.
The Acting Secretary of Defence Production informed the Cabinet that infrastructure development for co-production of JF-17 aircraft at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra has already been initiated and production in small batches would start from next month.
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