Pakistan and Saudi Arabia explore joint defence ventures

[mysterious]

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia explore joint defence ventures

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday explored the possibility of joint ventures with Saudi Arabia in arms production including missiles and tanks, the Defence Ministry said, AFP reported.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, Saudi assistant minister of defence, led his delegation into talks with Pakistani Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, a statement said. “Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have underscored the need to enhance military cooperation between the two brotherly countries,†it said. “Both sides agreed to hold joint military exercises between the armed forces of the two countries,†the statement added.

Major General Ali Bux, additional secretary at the Ministry of Defence Production, briefed the Saudi delegation about a joint venture in the production of arms and ammunition, armoured fighting vehicles, Anza missiles and Al-Khalid tanks.

He told the Saudi delegation that Al-Khalid tanks would be handed over for trials to Saudi Arabia next year. He also told the Saudi minister that the Super Mushhak aircraft would benefit the Royal Saudi Air Force. The meeting discussed many proposals, including Pakistani and Saudi military exchanges, NNI reported. The Saudi minister called for seminars by the armed forces of the two countries. Pakistan offered to train the Saudi armed forces, Prince Khalid agreed. Agencies

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_12-10-2004_pg7_3

Looks like Al-Khalid is a very likely addition to the future Saudi land forces and its good to see that further cooperation between the two brotherly countries would follow with Pakistan also training Saudi armed forces and make them professionally effective. :smokingc:

 

[Aussie Digger]

Please forgive my ignorance, but why would Saudia Arabia wish to acquire Al-Khalid tanks? Do they not currently operate a large fleet of M1A2 MBT's?

 

[lamdacore]

Please forgive my ignorance, but why would Saudia Arabia wish to acquire Al-Khalid tanks? Do they not currently operate a large fleet of M1A2 MBT's?

Actually as far as i know from people here in KSA and serving in one or the other in defence, told me that the M1A1s gave problems in the desert. They don't really go that far in the desert and constantly get jammed by the sand. They say its design is specific for cooler countries and not for harsh desert climates.

Alkhalid on the other hand was designed as a desert combat MBT for the desert in Rajastan near Indo-Pak border. So its possible that the Saudis are trying to obtain a tank that meets desert environment. Plus, they might want to become independent of US support a little and improve ties with Pakistan by helping them to better research. I do know that the Al-Khalid did not function well when tried by the Saudis, so perhaps the Alkhalid given next year would have solved the problems by then.

Maybe this is why KSA is trying to acquire AlKhalids

 

[tatra]

They don't really go that far in the desert and constantly get jammed by the sand. They say its design is specific for cooler countries and not for harsh desert climates.

I can see the M1 having problems in a desert environment. Still, there aren't many places in the world like the Saudi desert and the US has the benefit of being more geographically and climatologically diverse than most countries. I'm not saying the environment is exactly like the Saudi desert but places in the US like Arizona aren't exactly 'cool'. The M1 works there. So I would be very surprised if this was some sort of 'design flaw'. Unless it has to do specifically with the turbine it probably would be the case that most tanks are not designed for the Saudi desert and develop problems there.

 

[muslim282]

l think we should remember this forum is not about the AL-khalid.
One of the main areas Saudi is interested is the light arms industry of pakistan as this has grown extremely well and supplies numerous forces.
The mushak has also done well, but l think it will be some time before we get good sales of tanks and APC,s. l think people are waiting to see how well the khalids serve pakistan.
The Anzas and Baktar tank missiles have also been tested by the saudis.