What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
The decision to ship fresh about 200 containers loaded with arms coincides with the Ukrainian foreign minister’s emergency visit to Islamabad
NEW DELHI: Pakistan has decided to send a fresh consignment of arms to Ukraine through Poland amid draining stockpiles of ammunition, slowing down its ambitious counteroffensive against Russia. The decision coincides with Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba’s “emergency visit” to Islamabad on Thursday.
According to a report, approximately 200 containers, comprising rockets and other defence supplies manufactured by the Pakistan Ordnance Factory, will be loaded onto a merchant vessel at the Karachi Port and delivered at Poland’s Gdansk Port. Pakistan officials expect to deliver the new consignment in the second week of August.
As reported earlier by The New Indian, Pakistan Ordnance Factory has been supplying arms, ammunition, and artillery supplies to Ukraine at the behest of the Western countries. POF had signed a contract with the UK ministry of defence to supply arms to Ukraine.
ALSO READ: Pakistan-UK nexus against Russia exposed
In March, Pakistan sent back at least 44 T-80UD main battle tanks to Ukraine in exchange for financial assistance from the West. The tanks were bought from Kyiv in the last 1980s.
In April, The New Indian report revealed that Pakistan routed 60,000 155mm M107 artillery carriages via the US; 25,000 120mm Mortar Bomb HE, 20,000 122mm HE D30 RC and 130,000 rocket 122mm MBRL routed through the UK, and 30,000 40mm RPG7 HEAT ammo routed through Saudi Arabia to Ukraine.
Between February and March this year alone, Islamabad shipped 42,000 122 MM BM-21 multi barrel rocket launchers routing them through other countries to Ukraine.
ALSO READ: Pakistani rockets ‘not of good quality’, complain Ukrainian troops
In return for Islamabad’s regular supply of defense equipment to the Ukrainian army, Ukraine has initiated the process of supplying Mi-17 helicopter engines and auxiliary spare parts to the Pakistan military.
Kuleba is believed to have discussed the arrangements for arms supplies during his meeting with Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Zardari in Islamabad on Thursday. In press statements, though, both the leaders denied having any understanding for arms supplies.
The defense partnership between Ukraine and Pakistan has spanned over three decades, with Islamabad frequently procuring crucial defense equipment from Kiev.
Though Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the frontline have often complained that Pakistan-supplied arms and ammunition were of poor quality.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Damning proof of Pakistan Army’s exorbitant profits from arms exports to Ukraine
Last year, the UK utilized Pakistan as an air bridge to deliver arms to Ukraine via Romania. The ongoing defense cooperation between Pakistan and Ukraine highlights their enduring partnership in the face of geopolitical challenges.
Meanwhile, rumours are rife on Pakistani social media that a retired military general is recruiting armed forces personnel to fight in Ukraine in the second line of defence at a highly lucrative salary.
Analysts in Pakistan believe that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted from power last year because he refused to strike a balance in his foreign policy approach by denying to be a party in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
