South Asia Security Monitor: No. 386

Related Categories: South Asia; Southeast Asia

$3B INDO-ISRAELI DEFENSE DEAL CLOSE
India and Israel are close to finalizing a defense sale worth roughly $3 billion. The deal would see India purchasing an unnamed number of precision-guided bombs, 164 targeting pods for use in the Indian Air Force, and negotiations are ongoing for the purchase of 321 anti-tank missiles. It is expected that the deals will be approved within the month, and ready for signatures by the time Prime Minister Modi visits Israel later this year. (February 10, 2016 i24news)

PAKISTAN JOINS SAUDI MILITARY TRAINING
Pakistani troops have joined over 20 other countries in Saudi Arabia to stage the "largest, most important military maneuvers" ever hosted by Riyadh. The aim of the exercises is to improve counter-terrorism skills for those participating, and comes amid an escalating Saudi-led offensive in Yemen targeting Houthi rebels. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed close defense ties for decades, and a "small Pakistani defense contingent" is currently stationed in Saudi Arabia on a regular basis as part of a bilateral agreement. (February 16, 2016 DNAIndia)

45 TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan's Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stated Tuesday that Pakistan currently has an estimated 45 terrorist organizations currently operating within its borders, and the groups are constantly changing their names. Yet Minister Nisar also denied the presence of the Islamic State in Pakistan, which has seen its influence begin to spread throughout South Asia over the past year. (February 16, 2016 Dispatch News Desk)

US APPROVES SALE OF 8 F-16 FIGHTERS TO PAKISTAN
The US Department of Defense has approved the sale eight 8 F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, with the intention that the fighters be used to target terrorists. Both India and members of the US government have expressed concern over the deal, and questioned why additional fighter jets were needed to target terrorists. There is a 30 day window in which the deal can be reviewed and possibly blocked. (February 15, 2016 The Diplomat)

INDIA'S INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW SHOWS NEW FOCUS
On February 4 India hosted a four-day International Fleet Review (IFR) on its eastern coast, an event that witnessed the participation of nearly 50 countries, 90 ships (including two dozen warships), over 70 helicopters and 24 foreign naval chiefs. It was India's second IFR, after hosting one in Mumbai in 2001. China was present at the ceremony; Pakistan was not.(February 16, 2016 The Diplomat)