The fresh supplies are happening following an understanding between Pakistan and the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, ET has learnt. The consignment will be sent via vessel ‘MV BBC Diamond’ and will be delivered via the Polish port of Gdansk.
ET had reported on Wednesday that Ukrainian Armed Forces are allegedly using Pakistani Ordnance Factories (POF) manufactured 122mm Yarmuk HE-Frag rockets in the battlefield against Russia with the intensification of the war.
These rockets are analogous to the Soviet 9M22U, with a 20.5km range and are being used by the Armed forces of Ukraine. These procurements by Ukraine have taken place via third countries similar to the consignments to Ukraine from Pakistan since last year.
Ukraine has been facing shortage of arms and ammunition in particular and Pakistan has emerged as a key supplier of defence equipment to Kiev via Poland and Germany besides through an airbridge established by the UK and a US Flag ship. ET was the first report on this development.
Earlier this month ET had reported that Pakistan is planning to transfer 44 T-80UD main battle banks (MBTs) to Ukraine, stepping up defence supplies to the country in exchange for financial assistance from Western countries. The West has assured Pakistan of financial assistance in lieu of supply of MBTs to Ukraine, which has been seeking to fortify its defence against Russian forces.
Defence shipments from Karachi to Ukraine are being routed via ports in Poland and Germany. Some of the shipments were based on a memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and the UK’s defence ministry. Last year, the UK used Pakistan as an air bridge to supply arms to Ukraine via Romania. Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi was part of the air bridge reportedly used by the UK for military aircraft flights to Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport in Romania via a British air base in the Mediterranean to transfer arms to Ukraine.
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