The United Stated has delivered 48 field artillery cannons and five maritime patrol boats to Pakistan's security forces as part of the ongoing military cooperation between the two allies in the war against terror.
Brig Gen Michael Nagata, deputy chief of the US Office of the Defence Representative in Pakistan, handed over the military equipment during two separate events in the southern port city of Karachi on Saturday.
Nagata handed over 48 M1095A5 Howitzer self-propelled cannons to Brig Farrukh Saeed, Artillery Commander of the 25th Mechanised Division, a statement from the American embassy said.
The M109A5 cannon is an indirect fire support weapon deployed with armoured brigades and mechanised infantry divisions and has a crew of six.
The delivery marked the completion of a deal to provide 115 artillery cannons to Pakistan under the US Foreign Military Sales programme.
The deal initiated in 2006 enabled Pakistan to obtain the cannons at a "greatly discounted rate".
"These field artillery cannons are an important part of enhancing the capabilities of Pakistan's Army as it continues to wage its courageous fight against terrorists who seek to destroy Pakistan's people and way of life," said Nagata.
Nagata also donated five maritime interdiction patrol boats to Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency at the Karachi shipyard, significantly enhancing the organisation's coastal interdiction and patrol capabilities.
The 42-foot fast patrol boats were handed over to MSA Director General Rear Admiral Tahseenullah Khan.
The vessels are equipped with two 565-horsepower diesel engines that enable them to operate in inclement weather up to 300 nautical miles offshore with a maximum speed of 72 km per hour.
The American embassy said the US will donate four more fast patrol boats to the MSA later this year. The nine boats and spare parts are valued at $10 million.
"Whether it's search and rescue, combating smugglers, preventing crime or protecting Pakistan's coastal areas, we hope the increased capabilities these boats provide greatly enhance the MSA's ability to conduct the full spectrum of maritime operations," said Nagata.
During the past three years, US civilian and security assistance to Pakistan has totalled over four billion dollars.
Assistance delivered has included 14 F-16 fighter jets, 10 Mi-17 helicopters, more than 450 vehicles for the paramilitary Frontier Corps, hundreds of night vision goggles, day-night scopes and radios, and thousands of protective vests and first aid items for the security forces.
The US also funded and provided training for over 370 Pakistani military officers in a wide range of programmes covering topics like counter-terrorism, intelligence and flight safety.
