US hands over eight Cobra gunship helicopters to Pakistan

Islamabad, Feb 2 (UNI) The United States today handed over the first batch of eight gunship Cobra helicopters to Pakistan Army as part of the US military and economic aid package.

The arrival of the eight helicopters marked commencement of a process to deliver 40 such machines to Pakistan free of charge. The machines are not new for Pakistan army, which has already been flying them for at least the last two decades.

Defence Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Wasim Tariq Ghazi was formally handed over the keys of the refurbished fleet of the helicopters gunship by the US Ambassador Ryan C Croker.

Speaking on the occasion, the US Ambassador said Pakistan would soon be delivering F-16 aircraft. Mr Crocker said the US was fulfiling its commitment with Pakistan to meet its security needs under Security Assistance Programme.

Pakistan is purchasing 18 brand new and 26 used F-16s from the US under the five billion dollars economic and military aid package.

In the naval sector, Mr Crocker said the US was providing out the PC-3 Orion aircraft. The first out of the eight P-3Cs, which the US was providing free of cost, arrived in Karachi in January while the second one is due to arrive in the port city sometime this month.

The US envoy said Pakistan was its important strategic partner and hoped this long-term partnership would continue in the future as well.

"We are partners in the war on terror. We support each other as we are strategic partners," he said.

He appreciated the role of Pakistan's security forces and said their role in peace keeping as part of the United Nations has attracted accolades not only at national level but the world over.

"The international community is highly appreciative to their role," he said.

Lt Gen (retd) Ghazi said delivery of Cobra helicopters was a manifestation of long-term relationship between Pakistanf and the US.

UNI