KARACHI: Pakistani army chief (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday witnessed the commissioning of a Chinese origin air defense system into the military, saying it would make Pakistan’s security “impenetrable” against any current or future threats.
The commissioning of the air defense system in Karachi comes days after the army chief witnessed the commissioning of an advanced Chinese tank into the army’s strike formation in Gujranwala city.
“COAS witnessed commissioning of state of the art Chinese origin HQ-9/P HIMADS (High to Medium Air Defense System) into Pakistan Army Air Defense,” the military said in a statement. “Lieutenant General Hamood uz Zaman Khan; Commander Army Air Defense Command briefed COAS about strategic weapon system.”
The statement said the induction of HIMADS would “significantly enhance Comprehensive Layered Integrated Air Defense (CLIAD) shield of aerial frontiers of Pakistan” since the system was capable of intercepting multiple air targets including aircrafts, cruise missiles and “beyond visual range weapons” at ranges over 100 kilometres.
The system has Single Shot Kill Probability and is considered a “strategic long range Surface to Air Missile with remarkable flexibility and precision.”
“Speaking at the occasion, COAS said that induction of high-tech systems will make Pakistan’s air defense impenetrable in the emerging threat scenario,” the army’s statement said. “Pakistan–China strategic partnership and defense collaboration is a factor of stability in the region.” Senior officials from China were also present on the occasion.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Thursday that the strategic partnership and defence collaboration between Pakistan and China is a factor of stability in the region, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR).
General Bajwa expressed these views during a visit to the Army Air Defence Centre in Karachi to witness the commissioning of a Chinese-origin High to Medium Air Defence System (HIMDAS), HQ-9/P, into the Pakistan Army Air Defence, the statement said.
According to the military’s media wing, the COAS highlighted the importance of air defence and said the induction of high-tech systems would make Pakistan’s air defence “impenetrable in the emerging threat scenario”.
He added that the exemplary synergy between the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army Air Defence had made the country’s air defence impregnable.
During the visit, Lieutenant General Hamooduz Zaman Khan, commander of the Army Air Defence Command, also briefed General Bajwa on the strategic weapon system.
The induction of the HIMADS would significantly “enhance [the] Comprehensive Layered Integrated Air Defence shield of aerial frontiers of Pakistan as the system is fully integrated through a well-knit digitised system on its inventory,” the ISPR’s statement said.
It added that the system was also capable of intercepting multiple air targets including aircraft, cruise missiles and beyond visual range weapons at ranges over 100 kilometres with single shot kill probability.
“HQ-9/P is considered as a strategic, long-range surface-to-air missile with remarkable flexibility and precision,” the statement read.
Earlier, the COAS laid a floral wreath at the Shuhada monument upon his arrival at Army Air Defence Centre.
Senior officials from China were also present on the occasion.
Visits Gujranwala
Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Gujranwala to witness commissioning of state-of-the-art Chinese origin VT-4 Tank into Strike Formation Tuesday.
The COAS witnessed demonstration of VT-4 Tank which is a robust war fighting machine. Based on its advanced armour protection, high manoeuvrability and exceptional firepower, VT-4 can be compared with any modern main battle tank of the world.
Equipped with auto transmission system and deep-water fording operation capability, it is considered as a potent weapon of strike formations. He also visited Dynamic Integrated Training Simulator of VT-4. Interacting with officers and troops, COAS said continuous up-gradation of conventional capabilities is imperative for maintaining qualitative edge over adversary and deter aggression.
VT-4 Tank is another symbol of Pakistan – China strategic cooperation and defence collaboration, and its induction will boost strike capabilities of our formations, the army chief remarked.
The fast-changing dynamics of warfare demand highest degree of professionalism and rigorous training with due focus on harnessing sophisticated technologies, COAS emphasised.