The Bush administration has already notified the Congress of its proposed sale saying this will not affect the basic military balance in the region, Pentagon sources said yesterday.

The HARPOON missiles’ upgraded targeting capability significantly reduces the risk of hitting non-combatant targets and would help improve Pakistan’s naval operations flexibility. Pakistan will also have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces, Pentagon sources said.

''''The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be a key ally in the global war against terrorism,'''' according to a press release of the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

It said Pakistan intends to use the HARPOON systems on its P-3 aircraft, surface ship and submarines. The Pakistan navy currently has AGM-84 Block I air/surface/subsurface launch capability and recently accepted the Block II air and surface launched HARPOON.

The HARPOON II System is expected to upgrade Pakistan’s existing systems and allow for improved target acquisition. The system has an increased number of waypoints associated with missile flight and incorporates a Global Positioning System that allows for precision use.

However, the DSCA has said, '''' This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean the sale has been concluded.'''' The Boeing Company of St Louis, Missouri will be the main contractor but there are no known offsets agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale, the DSCA added.

According to the DSCA, Pakistan government had requested a possible sale of 50 UGM-84 L (submarine launched) 50 RGM-84L (Surface launched) and 30 AGM 84L (air launched) Block II HARPOON missiles; 5 Encapsulated HARPOON command launch systems, 115 container missile modifications, training devices, spare and repair parts; technical support; support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; technical data and publications.

The US government and contractor engineering and logistics support services and other related elements of logistic support have been valued at 370 million dollars.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require several US government and contractor representatives to travel to Pakistan on a temporary basis in conjunction with programme technical and management personnel to oversee the requirements, the DSCA release added.

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