A Contingent of Pakistan’s Armed Forces has participated in the opening ceremony of multinational war game ceremony, the Kavakaz 2020 held in Astrkhan Russia. The six day military exercise is taking place in Astrkhan region, and Black and Caspian Sea. Besides the host, troops from China, Belarus, Pakistan, Iran, Armenia and Myanmar are taking part in this military exercise. The military drill is aimed at evaluating the professional excellence of the armed forces of participating countries, their capabilities of quick response to various challenges and to learn from each other experiences. The weapons used in the exercise will include tanks, mechanized infantry fighting vehicles, APCs, artillery systems and multiple launch rocket systems. Over the past few years, defence cooperation between Pakistan and Russia is gradually growing. Both countries held their joint military drill in September 2016. It was followed by another joint war game in September 2017. Again a joint military exercise was done in October 2018.
The scope of bilateral cooperation in areas of defence is expanding. Russia had lifted the embargo on sale of arms to Pakistan in 2014, enabling the latter to diversify the source of purchase of military hardware. Pakistan had received four MI-35 attack helicopters from Russia in 2017. A state owned Russian entity, United Engine Corporation has agreed to supply modified version of RD-93 engine to be fitted in fighter jet JF-17, jointly manufactured by China and Pakistan at the Aeronautical complex at Kamra. An arms purchase deal for acquiring T-90 main battle tank and surface-to-air missiles can also be made. In contrast to West European countries, Russia has remained willing to transfer technology to developing countries. Hopefully, new vista of defense cooperation shall be explored.
