Overview

• Islamabad is in negotiations to acquire the IRIS-T SLM system, a modular medium-range air defence platform with integrated radar, command centres and mobile launchers.
• The German-made system has shot down more than 60 aerial targets in Ukraine and intercepted missiles comparable to India’s BrahMos.
• Pakistan increased its defence budget by 18% this year and cancelled over 1,000 billion rupees in domestic development projects to fund its military upgrades.
• The government secured $1.8 billion in loans from the IMF and Asian Development Bank as it confronts a severe economic crisis.
• Meanwhile, Germany’s Diehl Defence is partnering with Indian firms on the Project 75I submarine programme and local production of Vulcano artillery shells.