Pakistan Spent Billions On "Big Ticket" Military Purchases

Pakistan spent billions on 'big ticket' military purchases

http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.p...d/304491/cs/1/

Malaysia Sun
Thursday 29th November, 2007

Washington, Nov 29 : Major US Government arms sales and grants to Pakistan since 9/11 have included items useful for counter-terrorism operations, along with a number of 'big ticket' military purchases more suited to conventional warfare.

According to Alan Kronstadt of the Congressional Research Service, in dollar value terms, the bulk of purchases were made with Pakistan's national funds.

Pentagon reports that total Foreign Military Sales agreements with Pakistan were worth 863 million dollars in financial years 2002-2005.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is negotiating the possible transfer to Pakistan of three P-3B aircraft as EDA grants that would be modified to carry the E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning suite in a deal worth up to 855 million dollars.

If implemented, FMF could be used toward this purchase, the Daily Times reported.

Under Coalition Support Funds (part of the Pentagon budget), Pakistan also received 26 Bell 412 helicopters, along with related parts and maintenance, valued at 235 million dollars.