Editing Pakistan Armed Forces (section)

==Foreign military relations==
{{Main|Foreign relations of Pakistan}}

===China===
{{Main|China–Pakistan relations}}
China's relationship with Pakistan holds great importance for both countries in terms of common interest and geopolitical strategy. The alliance was initially formed to counter the regional influence and military threat posed by India and the Soviet Union. In recent years, with the strategic cooperation [[India–United States relations|between the United States and India]] has deepened further, China and Pakistan have signed several military cooperation agreements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=China and Pakistan ink military MOU to counter US-India pact |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-and-Pakistan-ink-military-MOU-to-counter-US-India-pact |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref>
[[File:Pakistan Air Force Chengdu JF-17 Gu.jpg|thumb|right|A PAC JF-17 taking off from [[Zhuhai Jinwan Airport]], China]]

China has been a steady source of [[military equipment]] and has cooperated with Pakistan in setting-up weapons production and modernisation facilities. The two countries are actively involved in several joint projects to enhance each other's military needs, including development and production of the [[JF-17 Thunder]] fighter jet, the [[Hongdu JL-8|K-8 Karakorum]] advanced training aircraft, the [[Al-Khalid tank]], [[airborne early warning and control]] (AEW&C) systems, and many other projects. The two countries have held several joint military exercises to enhance co-operation between their armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-11 |title=China and Pakistan launch naval drills aimed at countering US strategy |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3184897/china-and-pakistan-launch-naval-drills-aimed-countering-us-indo |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> A 2023 report by the [[United States Institute of Peace]] argues that China and Pakistan's military relationship has "advanced from an episodic partnership to a threshold alliance", Pakistan "increasingly sourced from China, especially the higher-end combat strike and power projection capabilities; and Pakistan continues to retire older U.S. and European origin platforms". But both sides need to do more to make this threshold relationship a full-fledged ally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iqbal |first=Anwar |date=2023-03-28 |title=Beijing's opponents 'may not allow' alliance with Pakistan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1744608 |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

===Other Asian countries===
[[File:Defense.gov photo essay 100121-F-6655M-208.jpg|thumb|{{small|The Pakistan Army personnel saluting in British-style, palms facing outward, to American Defense Secretary Robert Gates in 2010.}}]]

Prior to 1971, Pakistan's military had a strong presence in [[East Pakistan]] and an active [[Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan|theatre-level military command]]. After Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan, full diplomatic relations were not restored until 1976.<ref name="DS">{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/107.htm|title=Bangladesh – Pakistan|website=countrystudies.us|access-date=12 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706090854/http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/107.htm|archive-date=6 July 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Relations improved considerably under the [[Bangladesh]] military governments of [[President of Bangladesh|President]] [[Lieutenant general (Bangladesh)|Lieutenant General]] [[Ziaur Rahman]] and Lieutenant General [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]], as Bangladesh had grown distant from its former war ally, India.<ref name="DS"/><ref name="ZR">{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/21.htm|title=Bangladesh – The Zia Regime and Its Aftermath, 1977–82|website=countrystudies.us|access-date=12 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113093702/http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/21.htm|archive-date=13 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Common concerns over India's regional power have influenced strategic co-operation, leading to a gift of several [[squadron (aviation)|squadrons]] of [[Shenyang J-6|F-6 fighter aircraft]] to the [[Bangladesh Air Force]] in the late 1980s.<ref name="V">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2158900.stm|title=Analysis: Bangladesh's emotional scars|date=29 July 2002|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221075558/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2158900.stm|archive-date=21 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

After being condemned by India, Great Britain, and the United States between 2004 and 2006 for repressing democracy, the [[Nepalese monarchy]] developed military ties with China and Pakistan, who offered extensive support, arms, and equipment for the monarchy's struggle to stay in power in the face of a [[Nepalese civil war|Maoist insurgency]].<ref name="IP">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4389647.stm|title=Nepal, Pakistan in economy talks|date=29 March 2005|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206180512/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4389647.stm|archive-date=6 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

When India proved reluctant to supply [[Sri Lanka]] with weapons, the insurgency-plagued island nation turned to Pakistan. In May 2000, with separatist [[Tamil Tiger]] rebels about to recapture their former capital of [[Jaffna]], Pakistan President [[Musharraf]] provided millions of dollars of much-needed armament to the Sri Lankan government.<ref>[http://www.asiantribune.com/oldsite/show_news.php?id=163]{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> In May 2008, Lt-Gen Fonseka of the [[Sri Lanka Army]] held talks with his Pakistan Army counterparts regarding the sale of military equipment, weapons, and ammunition. The sale of 22 [[Al-Khalid tank|Al-Khalid]] main battle tanks to the Sri Lanka Army was finalised during these talks, in a deal worth over US$100&nbsp;million.<ref>[http://www.netspikes.com/news/pakistannews/pakistan's-crucial-role-in-the-death-of-tamil-tigers/]{{dead link|date=April 2018|bot=Redalert2fan|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> In April 2009, Sri Lanka requested $25&nbsp;million worth of 81&nbsp;mm, 120&nbsp;mm and 130&nbsp;mm mortar ammunition, to be delivered within a month, which proved decisive in the defeat of the Tamil Tigers.<ref>[http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/sri-lankas-sos-to-pakistan-for-urgent-arms-supplies_10033531.html Sri Lanka's SOS to Pakistan for urgent arms supplies – Thaindian News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407004011/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/sri-lankas-sos-to-pakistan-for-urgent-arms-supplies_10033531.html |date=7 April 2012}}. Thaindian.com (2 April 2008). Retrieved 12 July 2013.</ref>

Since the 1970s, Pakistan and [[North Korea]] have cooperated extensively on the development of ballistic missile and nuclear weapons technologies. Pakistan’s strong alliance with China and the legacy of a major scandal linking the Pakistani military to North Korea’s nuclear program have prevented Islamabad from joining UN efforts to diplomatically isolate the DPRK.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuel |first=Ramani |date=2016-08-30 |title=The Long History of the Pakistan-North Korea Nexus |url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/08/the-long-history-of-the-pakistan-north-korea-nexus/ |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=The Diplomat |language=en-US}}</ref>

===NATO states and Russia===
{{Main|NATO–Pakistan relations|Pakistan–United States military relations|Pakistan–Russia relations}}
[[File:Mike Mullen reviews Pakistani troops.jpg|thumb|American [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|Chairman of Joint Chiefs]] Admiral [[Mike Mullen]] reviews Pakistani troops during a ceremony honouring Mullen's arrival in Islamabad in 2008.]]

Throughout its history, Pakistan has had a fluctuating military relationship with the United States.<ref name="sipri.org"/> During times of co-operation, U.S. military funding and training have enhanced the Pakistan Armed Forces; in contrast, severing of U.S. support at critical junctures has led to bitter disillusionment. The Pakistani military, which generally prefers a balance with China or America, is not ready to sever ties with the United States,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khokhar |first=Riaz |title=Pakistan is making a mistake in ignoring the US for China |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/4/10/pakistan-is-making-a-mistake-in-ignoring-the-us-for-china |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref> despite [[2022–2023 Pentagon document leaks|leaked Pentagon intelligence]] suggesting that Pakistani diplomats are negative about ties with it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan faces more 'difficult choices' after pivot-to-China leak |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Pakistan-faces-more-difficult-choices-after-pivot-to-China-leak |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In support of the United States' [[US Attack on Afghanistan|2001 invasion of Afghanistan]], Pakistan's armed forces received large amounts of military aid, funding, and training. According to [[Ministry of Finance (Pakistan)|Ministry of Finance]] calculations, in the three years prior to the [[11 September attacks]], Pakistan received approximately $9&nbsp;million in American military aid; in the three years after, the amount increased to $4.2&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Nathaniel Heller |author2=Sarah Fort |author3=Marina Walker Guevara |author4=Ben Welsh |title=Pakistan's $4.2 Billion 'Blank Check' for U.S. Military Aid, After 9/11, funding to country soars with little oversight |publisher=[[Center for Public Integrity]] |date=27 March 2007 |url=http://www.publicintegrity.org/icij/default.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041027075253/http://www.publicintegrity.org/icij/Default.aspx |archive-date=27 October 2004 |access-date=27 March 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Pakistan has maintained military-to-military relations with the [[Member states of NATO|30 member states]] of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ([[NATO]]).<ref name="NATO Topics">{{cite web|title=NATO's relations with Pakistan|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_50071.htm|publisher=NATO Topics|access-date=15 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524060439/http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_50071.htm|archive-date=24 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> NATO regards its relations with Pakistan as "partners across the globe."<ref name="NATO Topics"/> With the support of US Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]], Pakistan was designated a "[[major non-NATO ally]]" in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|title=US to designate Pakistan non-NATO ally: Powell|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200403/18/eng20040318_137869.shtml|access-date=15 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212195844/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200403/18/eng20040318_137869.shtml|archive-date=12 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="New York Times, Pakistan">{{cite news|last=Rohde|first=David|title=U.S. Will Celebrate Pakistan as a 'Major Non-NATO Ally'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/19/international/asia/19POWE.html|access-date=15 July 2013|newspaper=New York Times, Pakistan|date=19 March 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224184333/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/19/international/asia/19POWE.html|archive-date=24 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="arms control">{{cite news|author1=Karen Yourish Roston|author2=Delano D'Souza|name-list-style=amp|title=Despite Khan, Military Ties With Pakistan to Grow|url=http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2004_04/Pakistan|access-date=15 July 2013|newspaper=arms control|date=April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103094032/http://armscontrol.org/act/2004_04/Pakistan|archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC Pakistan">{{cite news|title=US boosts Pakistan military ties|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3522174.stm|access-date=15 July 2013|publisher=BBC Pakistan|date=18 March 2004 <!-- , 15:18 GMT -->|display-authors=etal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214102807/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3522174.stm|archive-date=14 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> However, after [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021)|the United States troops withdraws Afghanistan]] in 2021, U.S. "clearly distanced" itself from Pakistan,<ref>{{cite web |title=US 'clearly distanced' itself from Pakistan, says former military chief Mike Mullen |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1682971/us-clearly-distanced-itself-from-pakistan-says-former-military-chief-mike-mullen |website=DAWN |date=2 April 2022 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> and all U.S. military aid has been canceled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Akmal |first=Dawi |date=2022-03-16 |title=US-Pakistan Relations Ebb After Afghanistan Withdrawal |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-pakistan-relations-ebb-after-afghanistan-withdrawal/6488429.html |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=VOA |language=en}}</ref>

Since the 2000s, military relations have improved between the Russian armed forces and the Pakistan armed forces.<ref name="Pakistan Today">{{cite news |title=Pakistan, Russia to boost military cooperation|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/08/05/news/national/pakistan-russia-to-boost-military-cooperation/|access-date=18 August 2013|newspaper=Pakistan Today|date=5 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824143652/http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/08/05/news/national/pakistan-russia-to-boost-military-cooperation/|archive-date=24 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|last=Sandeep Dikshit|title=Growing Russia-Pakistan ties a reality that India will have to live with|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/growing-russiapakistan-ties-a-reality-that-india-will-have-to-live-with/article3975260.ece|access-date=18 August 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=9 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204020030/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/growing-russiapakistan-ties-a-reality-that-india-will-have-to-live-with/article3975260.ece|archive-date=4 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Russia and Pakistan have held Joint Tactical Exercise Friendship since 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan kicks off joint Exercise Friendship-2024 with Russia |url=https://tass.com/defense/1856049/amp |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=Tass}}</ref>

===Middle Eastern countries===
{{Main|Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations|Iran–Pakistan relations|Pakistan–Turkey relations|Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation}}
[[File:Ships during the exercise Arabian Shark '08.jpg|thumb|Pakistan Navy ships deployed in the [[Arabian Sea]], near [[Oman]].]]

Pakistan's close ties to the nations of the Middle East, based on geography and shared religion, have led to periodic military deployments since the 1960s. The [[Arab world]] countries – many of them wealthy but with small populations and limited militaries – have historically depended on regional armies to provide a protective umbrella and military muscle in times of instability and crisis.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/views/2011/05/12/148835.html |title=The impact of Jordan on Arab Gulf States |access-date=12 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517003728/http://english.alarabiya.net/views/2011/05/12/148835.html |archive-date=17 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Pakistani military has retained a particularly close relationship with [[Saudi Arabia]] which has been a sporadically generous patron: much of the military equipment bought from the United States by Pakistan in the 1980s was paid for by Saudi Arabia. The [[United Arab Emirates]] (UAE) and [[Kuwait]] also have been important sources of financial support.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4333218.stm |work=BBC News |title=Race to save earthquake survivors |date=12 October 2005 |access-date=20 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051220133717/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4333218.stm |archive-date=20 December 2005 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Pakistani military personnel have been posted as military advisers and instructors to the militaries of [[Military of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]], [[Military of Jordan|Jordan]], [[Military of Syria|Syria]], [[Military of Libya|Libya]], [[Military of Kuwait|Kuwait]], and the [[Military of United Arab Emirates|UAE]]. Pakistan Air Force, Navy, and Army personnel played crucial roles in building the [[Military of United Arab Emirates|UAE military]]. Many Arab military officials have been educated at Pakistan's military staff colleges and universities. A combat division commanded by Major-General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]] was instrumental in putting down the Palestinian [[Black September in Jordan|Black September]] revolt against King Hussein in [[Jordan]] in the early 1970s.

[[File:Parallel steps - Navy Guards replacing the Older Ones at Mazar-e-Quaid during Pakistan's Independence Day.jpg|thumb|left|Navy guards marching in 2009.]]
Pakistan has enjoyed strong military co-operation with the [[Military of Iran|Iranian military]] since the 1950s. Iranian leader [[Mohammad Reza Shah]] provided free fuel to PAF fighter jets in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], allowing Pakistani planes to land at [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|Iranian Air Force]] bases, refuel, and take off. The military relationship continued even after the [[Iranian revolution]], as Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise the new Iranian government. In the aftermath of the [[Iran hostage crisis|hostage crisis]] in [[Tehran]], the United States severed its ties with Iran, leading Iran to send its military officers and personnel to be educated at Pakistani military academies. Relations became difficult following the [[Soviet–Afghan War]], when hundreds of foreign fighters (mostly Sunni Arabs) arrived in Pakistan to take part in the [[Afghan Jihad]]. Pakistan President [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]]'s military administration policy reflected extremist views towards the [[Shias|Shiites]] and caused [[Sectarianism in Pakistan|religious tensions]] to rise between [[Sunni]] and Shiites in Pakistan, much to the discomfort of Iran. During the [[Iran–Iraq War]], the [[Arab world|Arab countries]] and the United States, who were [[International aid to combatants in the Iran–Iraq War|supporting]] Iraq, pressured Pakistan to discontinue its covert support and military funding for Iran.

The 1980s were a difficult time in military relations for both countries, as Iran was blamed for the rising ethnic tensions between Sunnis and Shiites in Pakistan. The relationship further deteriorated in the 1990s when the [[Afghan Taliban|Taliban]], with Pakistan's support, began [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|their rule of Afghanistan]]. In 1998, Iran and Afghanistan were on the verge of war over the [[1998 Iranian diplomats murder in Afghanistan|assassination of Iranian diplomats]]. Iran's relations with India improved during this time, with both supporting the [[Northern Alliance]] against the Taliban.

The situation began to normalise in 2000, with Pakistan and Iran reinstating [[Iran–Pakistan trade relations|trade relations]]. In the wake of the [[11 September attacks]] in the United States and the fall of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, the two countries began rebuilding their military ties. Over the years, diplomatic delegations have been exchanged, and Pakistan has agreed to sell military equipment to Iran. In addition, Pakistan has maintained strong military-to-military ties with [[Turkey]], and would like to use these, as well as its Iranian connections, as a bridge to the new Muslim states of Central Asia.

Bilateral relations deteriorated after Pakistan refused to participate in the [[Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen|Saudi-led intervention in Yemen]], but it subsequently participated in the "[[Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition]]" (IMCTC) alliance in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Al Qaed |first=Anas |date=2023-01-31 |title=Pakistan's "Defense Diplomacy" Offers Inroads with the Gulf Monarchies |url=https://gulfif.org/pakistans-defense-diplomacy-offers-inroads-with-the-gulf-monarchies/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Gulf International Forum |language=en}}</ref>