Pakistan inks defense MOU with Australia

[Neo]

Pakistan inks defense MOU with Australia

June 8, 2010

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, June 8 (UPI) -- Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding for bilateral cooperation with the Australian ministry of defense, the government announced Tuesday.

Australian Defense Minister John Faulkner arrived Monday in Pakistan, marking the first visit by an Australian defense minister in more than a decade.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari during his meetings in Istanbul called for stronger defense ties between the two countries, Pakistani newspaper The News International reports Tuesday.

The memorandum of understanding calls for interaction between the armed forces of both countries and doubles the Australian training commitments for the Pakistani military.

Zardari said the deal would contribute to his promise to end extremism in the country at any cost.

Pakistan is struggling with a Taliban insurgency and a variety of militant groups affiliated with al-Qaida.

"Australia stands by Pakistan in this fight," said Faulkner in a statement Tuesday. "We will continue to work with Pakistan to tailor our cooperation to best achieve positive results and to strengthen our long-term partnership."

The Australian defense ministry said expanded defense cooperation includes military training and equipment.

"Australia wishes to build an enduring relationship with Pakistan that is sustainable in the long term and mutually beneficial for both countries," Faulkner added.

Pakistan inks defense MOU with Australia - UPI.com

[Araz]

Is it just about training or is something more going to come out of it. If i remember correctly, not so long ago, Australia stopped transfer of Spectrophotometers to pakistan for fears that it might increase nuclear proliferation.
Araz

[Selma Shirazi]

Originally Posted by Araz

Is it just about training or is something more going to come out of it. If i remember correctly, not so long ago, Australia stopped transfer of Spectrophotometers to pakistan for fears that it might increase nuclear proliferation.
Araz

Quite surprised to a deal with Australia so soon. Shouldn't we be working on building CBM's to avoid false accusations first like we saw in last April?

[Jihad]

"Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding for bilateral cooperation with the Australian ministry of defense, the government announced Tuesday."


Ok, so I read everything, but what exactly will we gain? Are any strings attached to this "bilateral" relationship.
Concrete numbers? Equipment or hardware, will we possibly know what exactly we can and will get from the Australians? I mean, moral support, we have plenty from Uncle Sam [/sarcasm]

Will they train our troops to fight insurgents? Will they deliver us latest weaponry, or half-baked antiques like the Americans have given us the Cobra.

Or am I simply too hasty and should I give it more time? After all, Zardari knows how to fix them deals... ;)