Latest news with #AIM-120D
The Wire
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Pakistan Air Force Chief Meets Chinese Counterpart: Here's What They Discussed
New Delhi: In a high-profile visit underscoring the evolving security dynamics of South Asia, Pakistan Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held extensive talks with his Chinese counterpart, Lieutenant General Wang Gang, Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, in Islamabad this week. The meeting signals a deepening of the military partnership between the two countries, particularly in the wake of recent hostilities between Pakistan and India. According to the official ISPR statement, the two air chiefs discussed regional security, operational synergy, and avenues for enhanced cooperation in training and technology. Lt Gen. Wang Gang praised the PAF's 'exemplary performance' during the recent conflict with India, describing it as a 'textbook example of precision, discipline, and courage in the face of unprovoked aggression.' He expressed particular interest in PAF's integration of multi-domain operations, calling it a hallmark of modern air warfare and stating that the PLAAF was keen to learn from Pakistan's 'battle-proven experience'. Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reaffirmed the 'strong bond of friendship' between the two air forces, rooted in 'mutual trust, strategic convergence, and shared aspirations for regional peace and stability.' The ISPR highlighted that the meeting stands as a testament to the shared resolve to advance the strategic partnership through innovation-driven collaboration. The Islamabad meeting follows Air Chief Marshal Sidhu's landmark visit to Washington, D.C., earlier this month, the first by a serving PAF chief in over a decade. In meetings at the Pentagon, State Department and Capitol Hill, Sidhu discussed bilateral defence cooperation, technology exchange and the potential acquisition of advanced AIM-120D air-to-air missiles for Pakistan's F-16 fleet. These discussions reflect Pakistan's urgent push for modernisation in the wake of vulnerabilities exposed during Operation Sindoor, and signal Islamabad's intent to balance its strategic partnerships with both China and the United States. The meeting comes just two months after Operation Sindoor, a brief conflict between India and Pakistan, where PAF claimed to have downed several advanced Indian Rafale jets, by possibly using Chinese-supplied J-10C fighters and PL-15 missiles. India's Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul Singh alleged that China provided Islamabad with 'live inputs' and 'all possible support' during the conflict, a claim both Pakistan and China have officially denied. The deepening Pakistan-China air force ties, especially after the recent conflict, have significant implications for India's security calculus and regional stability. Indian military leaders have already voiced concerns over the prospect of increased Chinese support to Pakistan's airpower.
India.com
10-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan plans to buy AIM-120D missile, nemesis' of fighter jets, from US, Trump likely to..., is this threat for India?
Washington/Islamabad: In a major development, Pakistan Air Force Chief, Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, visited the United States on July 2. Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu met Chief of the US Air Force as well as several senior American military officials during his visit. It is important to note that this was the first visit to the U.S. by a senior Pakistan Air Force official in the past 10 years. According to reports, the purpose of these meetings with top officials at the Pentagon, US State Department, and US Congress in Washington, D.C., was to push for equipping Pakistan's F-16 fleet with the advanced AIM-120D missiles. It is believed that Sidhu's visit is not just an effort to rejuvenate Pakistan-U.S. defense ties, but also an attempt by Pakistan to acquire deadly missiles from the U.S. that could be used against India. To recall, India carried out precision strikes on nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor'. In this context, Pakistan too wants a missile system capable of highly accurate targeting. A report by the Bulgarian Military website claims that during the conflict with India, several critical weaknesses in Pakistan's defense capabilities were exposed, which it is now scrambling to address. Key features AIM-120D Missile: The AIM-120D missile is America's most advanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile The AIM-120D missile has a range of over 180 kilometers. The missiles are equipped with GPS, dual data-link, and jamming-resistant technology. The American AIM-120D missile can strike targets at much longer ranges The missile is capable of receiving real-time instructions during combat, allowing it to evade enemy radar effectively. Currently, Pakistan possesses the AIM-120C-5 missiles, which were acquired in 2006 and have a range of around 100 km. These are no match for India's Rafale-Meteor combination. In this context, Pakistan Air Force Chief Sidhu aims to modernize the country's aging F-16 fleet, and reports suggest he has discussed this matter with US officials. Will the US sell AIM-120D to terror state Pakistan? The Shehbaz Sharif government is planning to equip its approximately 18 F-16 Block 52 jets with the AIM-120D missile, replacing the older AIM-120C-5 missiles acquired in Operation Sindoor, Pakistan was unable to counter India's lethal offensive, and its dependence on Chinese-made PL-15E missiles—launched from J-10CE fighter jets—proved to be ineffective. According to the Bulgarian Military website, India's attack on Pakistan exposed the shortcomings of Chinese weapons. Now, the question arises: Will the US provide AIM-120D missiles to Pakistan? Experts are of the opinion that the chances of the US selling the AIM-120D to Pakistan are low. But if it does happen, it could severely impact US-India relations. Still, it can't be said with certainty that the US won't proceed—America may act in its own geo-political interests. Recent developments suggest a thaw in US-Pakistan relations. In January 2025, the Trump administration allocated USD 397 million for the maintenance of Pakistan's F-16 fleet. Additionally, visits to Washington by Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir and later the Chief of Air Staff indicate America's renewed interest in engaging with Pakistan.
Euronews
30-04-2025
- Business
- Euronews
US approves sale of €1.17 billion worth of missiles to Poland
ADVERTISEMENT The United States announced on Tuesday that it had approved the sale of $1.33 billion (€1.17 billion) worth of air defence missiles to Poland. The package includes 400 AIM-120D medium-range air-to-air missiles. In addition, Warsaw will also receive guidance systems kits, spare parts, shipping containers, as well as access to the US software needed to operate the missiles. The US State Department approved the possible sale and the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said it had provided the necessary notifications to Congress for further approval. 'The proposed sale will improve Poland's capability to meet current and future threats by providing air-to-air defence to protect Polish and allied forces in transition or combat and significantly improve the Polish contribution to NATO requirements," said DSCA in a statement. Washington says the sale is in line with its foreign policy goals of ensuring their allies, in particular those in NATO, that act as a 'force for political and economic stability in Europe'. The sale comes as Warsaw looks to achieve its targets of increasing defence expenditure to 5% of GDP by next year, a key demand of US President Donald Trump for NATO members. Trump has routinely criticised Europe for its lack of emphasis on its defence, and low spending on military and defence. He's also accused Washington's longtime cross-Atlantic allies of 'piggy-backing' on the US through NATO for its security. Last week, Estonia, also a NATO member, announced a multi-billion Euro bill in additional defence spending. The new bill will see the Baltic country meet Trump's required threshold, putting the country which neighbours Russia at roughly 5.4% of GDP in defence expenditure. Poland says it's committed to increasing military investments to better equip itself against any potential threats following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
