Pakistan to Buy Six Chinese Submarines by End of Year
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Bokhari said the deal had been first revealed in 2011 by a Pakistani government minister but without giving details of how many submarines would be sold. Sources from Islamabad have confirmed that the deal is likely to be sealed before the end of 2014.
A senior official told Jane's Defense Weekly that negotiations on the technical details of the deal are almost done and that the present discussions are mainly about the financing. Bokhari said the contract would enhance China's rapidly growing role as the main supplier of military hardware to Pakistan and fill an important gap in the capabilities of the Pakistan navy. China's Global Times said the deal will certainly boost Pakistan's maritime power in relation to its chief rival India.
China has also agreed to provide two large civil nuclear reactors which will be built in Karachi. A source from the Pakistani government said China's Eximbank has agreed to extend a US$6.5 billion loan for the reactors.
