US to sell Pakistan Harris High Frequency Radio Systems

Washington, Nov 26 (UNI) Pakistan will get Very High Frequency Radio systems from the United States at an estimated cost of 160 million dollars.

According to the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) which has notified the US Congress of the possible military sale, the radios will enable Pakistan to improve on its capability to provide current and updated intelligence between patrols and higher headquarters.

The radios are expected to ''contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be a key ally in the global war on terrorism,'' said a US defence department press release.

It said the radios will increase interoperability between Pakistan and the US and coalition forces assisting in the efforts to curtail and eliminate terrorist activities. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region, it added. The agency said the Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan will include a Harris High Frequency/Very High Frequency radio systems, which has 1,558 20-Watt High Frequency (HF) Man Packs, 2,188 20-Watt HF Vehicular Systems, 175 150-Watt HF Vehicular Systems, ancillary equipment, spare and repairs parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications, US Government and contractor engineering and logistics services and other related elements of program support.

The prime contractor will be Harris Corporation in Rochester, New York. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of a contractor field service representative for up to two years to Pakistan. In addition, two contractor representatives will provide training and several US Government and contractor representatives will participate in program management and technical reviews for up to four weeks.

There will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale, the DSCA said.

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