US to Offer Smart-Bomb Kits, Drones to Pakistan, The Wall Street Journal, 2 March 2010
EXCERPT: "The Pentagon will transfer sophisticated laser-guided-bomb kits to Pakistan, escalating the Obama administration's recent push to better arm Islamabad for its military campaign against the country's Islamic militants. US military officials said Pakistan will soon receive equipment capable of converting 1,000 traditional munitions into 'smart bombs' that can more precisely strike targets on the ground. American officials hope the reconfigured bombs will help Pakistan minimize civilian casualties as it battles insurgents in the country's tribal regions. Pakistan will also soon take possession of a dozen American-made surveillance drones and 18 late-model F-16 fighter jets, sharply expanding the Pakistani military's ability to track and strike targets in remote, insurgent-controlled parts of the country. The laser-guided-bomb kits could spark some unease in India, where officials have been warily watching the expanded U.S. military aid to Pakistan and wondering if the weapons would one day be turned against them."
Read the full story.
Related articles:
US to send Pakistan laser-guided bomb kits, Reuters, 2 March 2010
US-Pakistan arms deal irks India, CBS News, 25 March 2005
Related reports:
Arms control and proliferation profile: Pakistan, Arms Control Association, 2009
Conventional arms transfers to developing nations, 2000-2007 [pdf], Congressional Research Service via OpenCRS, 23 October 2008. Occasional mention of Pakistan.
Related posts:
US expands arms sales to both India and Pakistan, 26 February 2010
Urging cooperation, US offers drones, 22 January 2010
China and Pakistan: A formidable partnership in high-tech defense production, 18 December 2009
