. 24/7 Space News .
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Explore Joint Ventures In Defence Production

File photo of a Pakistani missile test in 2002.
Islamabad (AFP) Oct 11, 2004
Pakistan on Monday explored the possibilities of joint ventures with Saudi Arabia in arms production including missiles and tanks, its defence ministry said.

Saudi assistant minister of defence Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz led his delegation into talks with Pakistani defence minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, a statement said.

"Pakistan and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia have underscored the need of enhancing military cooperation between the two brotherly countries," it said.

A senior Pakistani defence production ministry official briefed the Saudi delegation on ways "to undertake a joint venture" in the production of arms and ammunition, armoured fighting vehicles, missiles, and tanks.

Pakistan will hand over Al-Khalid tanks to Saudi army next year, additional secretary major general Ali Baz said at the briefing.

Pakistan's army last month inducted a new locally-made tank, after four years in development with Chinese assistance.

Pakistan and China agreed in 1990 to jointly develop the new tank, according to the Washington-based Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

The Al-Khalid MBT 2000 tank features a recently-developed thermal viewer system to improve nocturnal fighting capability and a Ukrainian-manufactured engine, FAS said on its website.

"Both sides agreed to hold joint military exercised between the armed forces of the two countries," the statement added.

Riyadh and Islamabad, both fighting Islamist extremists, have close ties and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is a frequent visitor to the kingdom.

Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz visited Islamabad last October.

All rights reserved. � 2004 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.

Related Links
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

Analysis: Iran's Missile Capabilities
Tehran, Iran (UPI) Oct 06, 2004
Iran has announced it has improved its missile capabilities by developing a medium-range ballistic missile, with abilities to work on longer range systems - a steady progress that seems to be adding to worries about the country's nuclear activities.



Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only














The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.