Pakistan, Russia Kick-Off Joint Military Exercises

Pakistan and Russia have kick-started joint military exercises, Druzhba-2020, today that will go on until November 21.

Russian’s Southern Military District had said earlier that more than 150 servicemen would take part in the drills, with over 70 being from the Special Forces. The nearly month-long preparation for the exercises included reconnaissance, search and ambush actions, camouflage and covert movement on terrain as well as the arrangement of long-term observation posts and survival in isolation from the main forces.

The Druzhba (Friendship) exercises have been held since 2016 of which two were held in Russia. From Russia, Special Forces and motorized rifle units deployed in Karachay-Cherkessia and in the Stavropol Territory participate in them.

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This September, Russia is said to have assured to India that it won’t sell arms to Pakistan.

Defence cooperation between two countries improved after signing of an agreement in 2014. It deal paved the way for the first-ever purchase of Russian military equipment by Pakistan, with Islamabad ordering Mi-35 Hind E gunships the following year. Pakistan went on to acquire Mi-171E helicopters.

A new engine for the Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet, dubbed RD-93MA being developed by Russia’s United Engine Corporation (UEC)-Klimov. The RD-93MA has been specifically developed to power single engine light fighter jets. It is an upgrade of the RD-93 engine which currently powers the Pakistani JF-17/Chinese Chengdu FC-1 single engine fighter jets.

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