===================== Karachi ===================
In Pakistan, Agosta B90 Pakistan Submarine built with the assistance of France.
Posted on 08/25/2002 7:44:17 AM PDT by knighthawk
Pakistan is planning to buy four naval frigates from China as part of a modernisation plan to improve its naval defences along the Arabian sea coast, senior government officials said on Sunday.
Confirmation of the plan followed Saturday's formal induction of a French submarine - one of three Agosta 90 - B into the Pakistan navy, during a ceremony in Karachi, the southern port city and the center of naval operations.
The submarine launch has come at a time when tensions with neighbouring India remain high after the two countries deployed tens of thousands of troops on their borders and along the disputed border in the state of Kashmir, known as the line of control.
According to officials, the first submarine was built in France, while the second was partially built in Pakistan and the third, which is due to be delivered next year, would mainly be assembled in Pakistan.
In the latest of a series of western diplomatic efforts to persuade the two nuclear armed neighbours to begin a fresh peace process, US Deputy secretary of State, Richard Armitage, over the weekend concluded a visit to India and Pakistan.
In an apparent reference to the threat from India, the Pakistani navy said in a statement after the submarine launch that the new submarines "will help maintain peace and stability in this volatile region by deterring our main adversary from any kind of adventurism".
But defence analysts said, the expected agreement with China reflected Pakistan's increasing reliance on Beijing for the supply of all weapons, so far mainly confined to supplies for the country's land forces and its air force.
The US sanctions imposed on Pakistan in 1990 on the pretext that the country was producing nuclear weapons, were followed by a suspension of all military sales including a batch of F16 fighter aircrafts, the backbone of the Pakistan Air force's offensive capability.
While those sanctions have been lifted in recognition of Pakistan's support to the US war on terror, analysts say the military government of General Pervez Musharraf is unlikely to benefit from new agreements with Washington for the supply of large pieces of equipment.
"Even with the sanctions gone now there's no way that the US would agree to supply any big-ticket items out of concern for escalating an arms race (between India and Pakistan)" said a senior retired defence officer. "Pakistan has also found China as its most trusted ally and after the army and the air-force, now even the navy is looking there for assistance".
===================== Karachi ===================
In Pakistan, Agosta B90 Pakistan Submarine built with the assistance of France.
Anyone more up-to-date than me that would like to comment?
This one I got for not sucking my thump while captaining the boat.
This one I got for not turning in Al Quada members.
This one I got for potty training my first mate.
The paki's leased a frigate that I used to serve on back in 1989.
Their "expert" naval personnel managed to sink the ship tied to the pier!
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