Search the Internet          Tips

Pakistan heading towards production
of SRBMs: CIA

T V Parasuram in Washington

Pakistan is moving toward serial production of solid-propellant Short Range Ballistic Missiles such as Shaheen-I and Haider-I with extensive Chinese assistance, a Central Intelligence Agency report said.

"...with respect to Pakistan, Chinese entities in the past provided extensive support to un-safeguarded as well as safeguarded nuclear facilities, which enhanced substantially Pakistan's nuclear weapons capability," the report said.

"Pakistan has been moving toward serial production of solid-propelled SRBMs with Chinese help. Pakistan needs continued Chinese assistance to support the development of the two-stage Shaheen-II MRBM (Medium Range Ballistic Missile)," the report on proliferation said.

Stating that Islamabad has a well-developed nuclear weapons programme, it said the acquisition of nuclear-related goods from foreign sources will remain important if Pakistan chooses to develop more advanced nuclear weapons.

Pakistan also acquires nuclear-related and dual-use equipment and materials from other sources -- principally Western Europe, it said.

Pakistan, the CIA said, continues to rely on China and France for its Advanced Conventional Weapon requirements. Islamabad received delivery of upgraded Mirage IIIs from France, and negotiated to purchase an additional 40 F-7 fighters from China.

The report said that during the first half of last year, China took "a very narrow" interpretation of its bilateral non-proliferation commitments with the United States.

In the case of missile-related transfers, Beijing has on several occasions pledged not to sell Missile Technology Control Regime Category I (complete missile) systems, but has not recognised the regime's key technology annex.

In November 2000, China committed not to assist, in any way, any country in the development of ballistic missiles that could be used to deliver nuclear weapons, and to enact at an early date a comprehensive missile-related export control system.

Yet, during first half of 2001, Chinese entities provided Pakistan with missile-related technical assistance.

In the nuclear area, China has made bilateral pledges to the US that go beyond its 1992 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty commitment not to assist any country in the acquisition or development of nuclear weapons.

PTI

Tell us what you think of this report