Beijing: China has sought to defend its
sale of submarines and warships to Pakistan, contending that
even India was seeking military equipment from US and Russia.
Acknowledging that the proposal may invite concerns from
India, a top Chinese defence official has said acquiring arms
was normal for an independent country like Pakistan.
Besides submarines, Pakistan is seeking bigger warships
from China in addition to the F22P frigates already acquired
by it, the China Daily said in a report yesterday.
"The initiative may invite concerns from its neighbouring
countries. But the doubts are unnecessary," Zhai Dequan,
deputy director of China Arms Control and Disarmament
Association said.
Zhai argued that India also has large projects with the
US and Russia and that Pakistan`s proposal in submarine
cooperation is likely aimed at its sea border protection.
"India`s aircraft carrier has already cost it billions of
US dollars," he was quoted as saying by the paper.
The chief of Pakistan`s naval staff Noman Bashir, who is
on a visit to China, has said he looks forward to see more
cooperation in the submarine field with Beijing.
He said he had talked to Chinese officials over the issue
of buying more JF-17 fighter planes and bigger ships than the
F22P frigates, currently ordered by Pakistan.
Since 2005 Pakistan has ordered eight F22P frigates from
China. "The F22P frigate is about 3,000 tons, and now we are
talking about 4,000-ton ships," Bashir said.
PTI
