Latest news with #militarycollaboration
Arab News
30-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan plans naval, air collaboration in unmanned systems to boost indigenous capabilities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's naval and air forces will be undertaking a strategic collaboration to advance indigenous capabilities in unmanned warfare systems, the country's military said on Monday, citing Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf. The development comes weeks after a four-day military standoff between Pakistan and India, in which the two countries traded fighter jet, missile, drone and artillery fire, leaving 70 people dead on both sides before a United States-brokered ceasefire on May 10. The fighting in May marked the first time New Delhi and Islamabad utilized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at scale against each other, with defense analysts expecting increased use of UAVs by them in future as small-scale drone attacks can strike targets without risking personnel or provoking uncontrollable escalation. During a visit to Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) Air War College Institute in Karachi, Naval Chief Ashraf announced the initiation of more frequent, integrated joint operational exercises with PAF, aimed at further reinforcing synergy and interoperability between the two services. 'The Naval Chief also highlighted the transformative role of technological innovation in contemporary conflicts. Citing the growing significance of Unmanned Aerial Systems, he highlighted an upcoming strategic collaboration between the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP) and Pakistan Maritime Science & Technology Park (PMSTP),' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said in a statement. 'This partnership, he noted, will focus on advancing indigenous capabilities in unmanned systems, thereby bolstering Pakistan's technological self-reliance and operational edge in the defense sector.' The development comes as the two South Asian neighbors, which spent more than $96 billion on defense last year, appear to be locked in a drones arms race. India plans to invest heavily in local industry and could spend as much as $470 million on UAVs over the next 12 to 24 months, roughly three times pre-conflict levels, Smit Shah of Drone Federation India, which represents over 550 companies and regularly interacts with the government, told Reuters last month. The PAF, meanwhile, is pushing to acquire more UAVs as it seeks to avoid risking its high-end aircraft, Reuters quoted a Pakistani source familiar with the matter as saying. Pakistan and India both deployed cutting-edge 4.5 generation fighter jets during the latest clashes but cash-strapped Islamabad only has about 20 high-end Chinese-made J-10 fighters compared to the three dozen Rafales that Delhi can muster. Pakistan is likely to build on existing relationships to intensify collaboration with China and Turkiye to advance domestic drone research and production capabilities. Speaking to participants of an air war course in Karachi, Admiral Ashraf underscored that operational preparedness remains the cornerstone of triumph in modern warfare. 'He referenced recent developments along the eastern front as a vivid illustration of the critical need for constant readiness and strategic foresight,' the ISPR said. 'Emphasizing the imperative of cohesive national defense, he stressed the importance of inter-services collaboration in achieving strategic objectives.' India and Pakistan, bitter rivals since they gained independence in 1947 from British rule, have fought three wars, including two over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir. The latest crisis was also triggered by an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-backed militants without offering any evidence. Islamabad denied the allegation.
LBCI
29-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Germany seeks Israeli partnership on cyber defense, plans 'cyber dome'
Germany is aiming to establish a joint German-Israeli cyber research center and deepen collaboration between the two countries' intelligence and security agencies, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Sunday. Germany is among Israel's closest allies in Europe, and Berlin has increasingly looked to draw upon Israel's defense expertise as it boosts its military capabilities and contributions to NATO in the face of perceived growing threats from Russia and China. "Military defense alone is not sufficient for this turning point in security. A significant upgrade in civil defense is also essential to strengthen our overall defensive capabilities," Dobrindt said during a visit to Israel, as reported by Germany's Bild newspaper. Dobrindt, who was appointed by new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz last month, arrived in Israel on Saturday. Reuters
South China Morning Post
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Japan-Philippines military drills to become a reality after Tokyo ratifies defence pact
Japan has ratified its reciprocal access agreement (RAA) with the Philippines six months after Manila did, with the long-awaited move seen as a signal that Manila has proved its value as a strategic and defence partner to Tokyo. Advertisement The ratification by the Diet follows Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba 's recent visit to the Philippines, with analysts previously observing that the trip suggested his administration was poised to finalise the agreement. The RAA allows the deployment of Filipino and Japanese forces on each other's soil for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills, amid mutual geopolitical tensions with China. The Diet approved the agreement on Friday, half a year after the Philippine Senate. The pact was signed by Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in a ceremony in Manila in July 2024, which was attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr 'We welcome today's approval of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan by the House of Councillors, which completes the approval process in the Japanese Diet,' Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano said in a statement on Friday. Advertisement The RAA is expected to improve military collaboration between the two nations by simplifying the deployment processes for joint training and disaster relief missions.
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China, Pakistan FMs expected to discuss security cooperation, to India's chagrin
The Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's three-day visit to China is expected to highlight both nations' growing enthusiasm for deepening defence and security cooperation, analysts say. However, as Dar's first overseas trip since the military tensions with neighbouring power India, it is likely to be viewed by New Delhi as a show of support for Islamabad – despite the likelihood that it was arranged well before the conflict, together with trilateral talks between China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, they added. Dar, who is also deputy prime minister, will be in Beijing until Wednesday. He is expected to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as well as take part in a trilateral foreign minister-level strategic dialogue with Afghanistan's acting foreign minister. Lin Minwang, a professor and deputy director at Fudan University's Centre of South Asia Studies, said Beijing and Islamabad would now hold a deeper recognition of the necessity of their defence cooperation – an important issue that could come up in bilateral talks. 'Following the skirmishes and the unexpected success of Pakistan's Chinese-made fighter jets and missiles, both nations are likely to show heightened enthusiasm and initiative to deepen their military and defence collaboration,' he said. Among the most striking revelations of the recent hostilities was Pakistan's reported success in shooting down French-designed Rafale aircraft using the J-10C fighter equipped with active radar-guided long-range air-to-air PL-15 missiles, also from China.
