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A significant part of the parade was occupied by Chinese developments that are locally produced in Pakistan, including VT-4 tanks, HQ-9/P air defense systems and others.
The armed forces of Pakistan demonstrated new products during the Pakistan Day parade on March 23 in the capital. This is reported by Defense News.
During the parade, the military showed the first VT-4 tanks, the production of which was localized in Pakistan. The car was from the experimental batch, which was presented on March 6 by the state-owned manufacturer Heavy Industries Taxila. According to the agreement with China, the Pakistani army is to receive 300 locally produced VT-4 tanks.
For the first time, the HQ-9/P long-range anti-aircraft missile complex was shown at the parade. The complex was also handed over to China in 2021, the radius of action is 125 km, which is half that of the Chinese army. Justin Bronk, an aerospace expert at the Royal Joint Services Institute think tank, says the HQ-9/P has a shorter range but better electronics than Russia's S-300PMU-2.
The Fatah 2 MLRS and the Ababeel medium-range ballistic missile were also demonstrated. Pakistan also announced new programs, including the acquisition of new equipment:
- replacement of the JF-17 combat aircraft with the PFX (Pakistant Fighter Experimental);
- receiving the Fatah 3 ballistic missile;
- the Fatah 4 ballistic missile is being developed.
The authors write that the PFX program came as a surprise, because there are plans to purchase Chinese J-31 fighter jets and participation in the Turkish Kaan fifth-generation fighter program. Experts believe that Pakistan will have to import key technologies of the combat aircraft such as engines, radars and avionics.
