SOURCE: PTI

Announ­c­ing the staff-level agreement on the successful completion of the existing short-term facility, the IMF has confirmed that cash-strapped Pakistan is seeking a 24th medium-term bailout package for a permanent push towards longstanding structural reforms.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its end-of-mission statement on Wednesday said the cash-strapped country “expressed interest in a successor medium-term Fund-supported programme to permanently resolve Pakistan’s fiscal and external sustainability weaknesses, strengthening its economic recovery, and laying the foundations for strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth”, Dawn News reported.

SOURCE: PTI

China on Thursday condemned the Baloch militants’ attack on Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which is part of the multi-billion dollar CPEC, saying Beijing firmly backs Islamabad’s efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security.

Two soldiers of the Pakistani Army were killed and eight Baloch militants were “sent to hell” when security personnel foiled an attempt by heavily armed Baloch insurgents to storm the Gwadar Port Authority complex in the restive Balochistan province, according to the Pakistan military.

SOURCE: AFI

South Korea’s domestically developed KF-21 fighter jet achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday with its first successful aerial refueling test. This advancement promises to significantly enhance the jet’s capabilities.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that prototype number 5 of the KF-21 took off from an airbase in Sacheon and completed the aerial refueling over the country’s southeastern waters. The refueling involved a KC-330 tanker aircraft transferring fuel to the KF-21 mid-flight.

SOURCE: AFI

The Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) in Pakistan’s Taxila city buzzed with anticipation as Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir graced the rollout ceremony of the Haider tank. This unveiling marked a significant moment in Pakistan’s defense capabilities, as the Haider tank is slated to become the nation’s Main Battle Tank. However, recent revelations from documents reviewed by ThePrint shed light on a different narrative, one that contrasts with the triumphant image the Pakistani military seeks to portray.

The genesis of the Haider tank can be traced back to Pakistan’s 2017 order of around 176 VT-4 tanks from China’s Norinco (North Industries Corporation). This procurement aimed to modernize Pakistan’s aging fleet of Main Battle Tanks, bolstering its defensive prowess. after it failed to develop Al-Khalid II MBT that was to be superior to the Al-Khalid I which was claimed to be based on the older T-9X tank from China. Al-Khalid I faced numerous issues and production was curtailed to just 250+ units, before it was shutdown.

SOURCE: AP

Pakistani airstrikes targeted multiple suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban inside neighboring Afghanistan early on Monday, killing at least eight people and drawing return fire from the Afghan Taliban, officials said.

The latest escalation is likely to further increase tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. The Pakistani strikes came two days after insurgents killed seven soldiers in a suicide bombing and coordinated attack in northwestern Pakistan.

SOURCE: REUTERS

South Korean police raided the head office of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on Friday in connection with two Indonesian nationals accused of leaking technology related to a fighter jet project, a police official said.

The two engineers are accused of breaching South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Act and leaking technology related to the KF-21, South Korea’s homegrown fighter jet that is partially backed by Indonesia.

SOURCE: AFP

Japan’s ruling coalition agreed on March 15 to allow the export of next-generation fighter jets being developed with Britain and Italy, relaxing Tokyo’s strict transfer rules for military equipment. Japan and the two countries signed a treaty in December formalising plans to pool resources to co-develop the fighter jet they hope will take to the skies by 2035.

Japan’s arms export rules currently forbid the export of equipment to a third country, although there have been exceptions in recent years.

SOURCE: DAILY SABAH

Türkiye on Saturday announced it had successfully tested its first military turbofan engine, a major breakthrough in the nation’s drive to rely on domestic technologies to curb external dependency on critical equipment.

The TF6000 jet engine has been designed to help Türkiye gain capabilities and technology on its path to developing a power unit for its first fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN, which recently performed its inaugural flight, a statement by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) said.

SOURCE: REUTERS

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided a military demonstration involving a new battle tank, state media KCNA reported Thursday, in the latest show of force by the isolated state as South Korea and the United States wrapped up joint drills.

Kim expressed “great satisfaction” that the new type of main battle tank successfully demonstrated its striking power in its first performance display on Wednesday, KCNA said.

SOURCE: AFI

Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), a Pakistani state-owned defense company, recently impressed military officials from 11 allied nations with a demonstration of their latest Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), the Shahpar II.

The Shahpar II, classified as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone, showcased its targeting capabilities by engaging ground targets with its air-to-ground guided missile, the “Burq,” while flying at an altitude of 14,000 feet.

SOURCE: AFI

Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) unveiled its indigenously developed “HAIDER” tank during a ceremony attended by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir. While the design is based on the Chinese VT-4 MBT, the project involved collaboration with China’s NORINCO and various Pakistani industries, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing for Pakistan.

The HAIDER is touted as a testament to Pakistan’s growing capabilities in defense innovation. It is said to be equipped with cutting-edge technology, offering improved firepower, protection, and maneuverability compared to previous models.

SOURCE: AFI

Pakistan’s aspirations to join the influential BRICS group face a roadblock as member nations struggle to reach a unanimous decision. While Russia, the current BRICS president, expresses reservations about Pakistan’s economic standing and the need for consensus, China, a key member, has shown support for Pakistan’s inclusion.

BRICS, originally an alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aims to foster economic cooperation among major emerging economies. Recently, the group expanded to include six new members – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and Argentina. However, Argentina’s withdrawal has brought the total membership to 10.

SOURCE: AFI

Russia has decided to forgo deploying its most advanced T-14 Armata tanks in the ongoing war against Ukraine, citing high costs according to Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, a state-owned defense company.

While acknowledging the T-14 Armata’s superior functionality, Chemezov emphasized the financial burden of the tank. He argued that the resources are better allocated towards developing “perhaps cheaper” weapons, suggesting the T-90 tanks as a more cost-effective option for the current conflict.

SOURCE: AP

Ukraine claimed Tuesday it has sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea using high-tech sea drones as Kyiv’s forces take aim at targets well behind the war’s front line. Russian authorities did not confirm the claim.

The Ukrainian military intelligence agency said a special operations unit destroyed the large patrol ship Sergey Kotov overnight. The ship, which Ukraine said was commissioned in 2021 and was hit near the Kerch Strait, reportedly can carry cruise missiles and around 60 crew.

SOURCE: AFI

In recent announcements, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has unveiled its strategic plans for aircraft procurement and modernization, shedding light on its future capabilities and challenges. Among the notable revelations is the intent to procure a Chinese FC-31 Stealth fighter jet, slated for production potentially in the 2030s. Concurrently, the PAF is also eyeing the development of the JF-17 PFX (Pakistan Fighter Experimental), a project that signals a rejuvenation of its existing fleet.

The decision to pursue the FC-31 comes as the PAF anticipates a shift in its combat aircraft inventory towards more advanced stealth capabilities. The FC-31, once operational, is expected to bolster Pakistan’s aerial defense posture, offering enhanced capabilities in reconnaissance, air superiority, and precision strike missions.