The Hindu : International : `Pakistan will maintain minimum deterrence'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

International

International

`Pakistan will maintain minimum deterrence'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 5. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, has said that his country has both resources and skilled manpower to meet the defence targets of next 15 years to enable it maintain `defensive deterrence strategy'.

Addressing the launch ceremony of the production project of JF-17, the multi-role fighter plane jointly developed by Pakistan and China, Gen. Musharraf asserted that Pakistan would maintain `minimum level of defensive deterrence' in both conventional and unconventional fields as it wants peace with dignity and honour.

He described the launch of JF-17 project as a `giant leap' towards indigenisation and self-reliance and said the joint venture reflected time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China.

``The time-tested, all-weather and deep-rooted Pakistan-China friendship is going from strength to strength and will be further enhanced with the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao,'' he said hours before the arrival of the Chinese leader for a three-day visit.

Gen. Musharraf said: ``We want peace but we want it with honour and dignity.'' He expressed Islamabad's determination not to compromise on the minimum deterrence level in both fields.

He said Pakistan had identified certain targets for its air force and one of them was acquisition of hi-tech aircraft like F-16, `which will come by'.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Marshal Kaleem Saadat, said, JF-17 would replace old generation fighter planes and be a mainstay of the Air Force.

The Vice-President, Aviation Industries of China, Geng Ruguang, said the production project marked another significant milestone in Pakistan-China joint ventures.

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