Usman Ansari

Usman Ansari is the Pakistan correspondent for Defense News.


  • Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge
    Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge

    Afghan and Pakistani leaders have agreed on closer defense and security cooperation, leading analysts to believe the neighbors are finally sharing a common view on achieving regional stability

  • Pakistan Eyes T-50 as Trainer Option
    Pakistan Eyes T-50 as Trainer Option

    Pakistan is considering purchase of the South Korean KAI T-50 Lead In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) to revamp its Air Force training program, although some viable alternatives remain.

  • State Dept. OKs $952M Pakistan Helo Deal
    State Dept. OKs $952M Pakistan Helo Deal

    The US State Department has cleared a $952 billion sale to Pakistan that includes 15 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 1,000 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles.

  • Pakistan To Buy 8 Submarines From China
    Pakistan To Buy 8 Submarines From China

    Pakistan is renewing efforts to modernize its submarine arm with eight submarines from China as well as a search for surplus European submarines.

  • Pakistan To Aid Saudi Coalition in Yemen
    Pakistan To Aid Saudi Coalition in Yemen

    Analysts are unsure how Pakistan will contribute to the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen now that it appears to have committed itself.

  • Pakistan Holds Parade After 7-Year Break
    Pakistan Holds Parade After 7-Year Break

    Pakistan held its first Republic Day parade Monday after a seven-year break caused by the security situation and operational commitments due to the war against the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and its allies.

  • Pakistan Re-equips Squadron With AEW&C Planes
    Pakistan Re-equips Squadron With AEW&C Planes

    Pakistan’s air force (PAF) Thursday yesterday stood up its unit of Chinese Karakorum Eagle AEW&C aircraft in a ceremony attended by the head of the PAF, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt, and the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

  • Russia-Pakistan Deal May Lead to More Sales
    Russia-Pakistan Deal May Lead to More Sales

    A deal for Pakistan to directly import Russian engines for the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter will improve the program and may lead to more Russian-made parts for the aircraft, analysts say.

  • Pakistan Tests Cruise Missile
    Pakistan Tests Cruise Missile

    Monday’s test of the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile may have been designed to check the effectiveness of an upgrade, according to analysts.

  • JF-17 Presses On After News of Egypt’s Plans
    JF-17 Presses On After News of Egypt’s Plans

    News that Egypt may acquire the UAE’s Mirage fighters is likely to scupper Pakistan’s hopes of selling the JF-17, especially since Cairo is also reportedly negotiating for 20 Rafale fighters, and shown interest in the MiG-35.

  • Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge
    Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge

    Afghan and Pakistani leaders have agreed on closer defense and security cooperation, leading analysts to believe the neighbors are finally sharing a common view on achieving regional stability

  • Pakistan Eyes T-50 as Trainer Option
    Pakistan Eyes T-50 as Trainer Option

    Pakistan is considering purchase of the South Korean KAI T-50 Lead In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) to revamp its Air Force training program, although some viable alternatives remain.

  • State Dept. OKs $952M Pakistan Helo Deal
    State Dept. OKs $952M Pakistan Helo Deal

    The US State Department has cleared a $952 billion sale to Pakistan that includes 15 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 1,000 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles.

  • Pakistan To Buy 8 Submarines From China
    Pakistan To Buy 8 Submarines From China

    Pakistan is renewing efforts to modernize its submarine arm with eight submarines from China as well as a search for surplus European submarines.

  • Pakistan To Aid Saudi Coalition in Yemen
    Pakistan To Aid Saudi Coalition in Yemen

    Analysts are unsure how Pakistan will contribute to the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen now that it appears to have committed itself.

  • Pakistan Holds Parade After 7-Year Break
    Pakistan Holds Parade After 7-Year Break

    Pakistan held its first Republic Day parade Monday after a seven-year break caused by the security situation and operational commitments due to the war against the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and its allies.

  • Pakistan Re-equips Squadron With AEW&C Planes
    Pakistan Re-equips Squadron With AEW&C Planes

    Pakistan’s air force (PAF) Thursday yesterday stood up its unit of Chinese Karakorum Eagle AEW&C aircraft in a ceremony attended by the head of the PAF, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt, and the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

  • Russia-Pakistan Deal May Lead to More Sales
    Russia-Pakistan Deal May Lead to More Sales

    A deal for Pakistan to directly import Russian engines for the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter will improve the program and may lead to more Russian-made parts for the aircraft, analysts say.

  • Pakistan Tests Cruise Missile
    Pakistan Tests Cruise Missile

    Monday’s test of the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile may have been designed to check the effectiveness of an upgrade, according to analysts.

  • JF-17 Presses On After News of Egypt’s Plans
    JF-17 Presses On After News of Egypt’s Plans

    News that Egypt may acquire the UAE’s Mirage fighters is likely to scupper Pakistan’s hopes of selling the JF-17, especially since Cairo is also reportedly negotiating for 20 Rafale fighters, and shown interest in the MiG-35.

  • Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge
    Afghanistan, Pakistan Security Pledge

    Afghan and Pakistani leaders have agreed on closer defense and security cooperation, leading analysts to believe the neighbors are finally sharing a common view on achieving regional stability

  • Pakistan Eyes T-50 as Trainer Option
    Pakistan Eyes T-50 as Trainer Option

    Pakistan is considering purchase of the South Korean KAI T-50 Lead In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) to revamp its Air Force training program, although some viable alternatives remain.

  • State Dept. OKs $952M Pakistan Helo Deal
    State Dept. OKs $952M Pakistan Helo Deal

    The US State Department has cleared a $952 billion sale to Pakistan that includes 15 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 1,000 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles.

  • Pakistan To Buy 8 Submarines From China
    Pakistan To Buy 8 Submarines From China

    Pakistan is renewing efforts to modernize its submarine arm with eight submarines from China as well as a search for surplus European submarines.

  • Pakistan To Aid Saudi Coalition in Yemen
    Pakistan To Aid Saudi Coalition in Yemen

    Analysts are unsure how Pakistan will contribute to the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen now that it appears to have committed itself.

  • Pakistan Holds Parade After 7-Year Break
    Pakistan Holds Parade After 7-Year Break

    Pakistan held its first Republic Day parade Monday after a seven-year break caused by the security situation and operational commitments due to the war against the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and its allies.

  • Pakistan Re-equips Squadron With AEW&C Planes
    Pakistan Re-equips Squadron With AEW&C Planes

    Pakistan’s air force (PAF) Thursday yesterday stood up its unit of Chinese Karakorum Eagle AEW&C aircraft in a ceremony attended by the head of the PAF, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt, and the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

  • Russia-Pakistan Deal May Lead to More Sales
    Russia-Pakistan Deal May Lead to More Sales

    A deal for Pakistan to directly import Russian engines for the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter will improve the program and may lead to more Russian-made parts for the aircraft, analysts say.

  • Pakistan Tests Cruise Missile
    Pakistan Tests Cruise Missile

    Monday’s test of the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile may have been designed to check the effectiveness of an upgrade, according to analysts.

  • JF-17 Presses On After News of Egypt’s Plans
    JF-17 Presses On After News of Egypt’s Plans

    News that Egypt may acquire the UAE’s Mirage fighters is likely to scupper Pakistan’s hopes of selling the JF-17, especially since Cairo is also reportedly negotiating for 20 Rafale fighters, and shown interest in the MiG-35.