Counter IED Equipment: Pakistan

Tuesday 8th September 2015 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon)]

I have today laid before the House a departmental minute describing a package of spare parts for counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) equipment which the UK intends to gift to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at their request to support previously gifted C-IED equipment. The value of the package is £948,439.00, plus around £40,000 for packaging and shipping.

Pakistan continues to face a severe threat from IED attacks perpetrated by terrorists based in its country. It has sought the UK’s assistance in developing the capabilities of its security forces to tackle this threat. In May, the UK finished providing a three-year counter-IED (C-IED) programme to help Pakistan develop a multi-agency capability for tackling IEDs. As part of this programme, the UK has gifted in total £12.915 million of C-IED equipment to Pakistan. A new, enhanced programme will be launched later this year.

Pakistan now has a rapidly expanding C-IED capability, with over 5,000 of its security forces trained. More of these IEDs are being defeated across the provinces and lives are being saved. Pakistani battalions, who have benefited from UK support, have been operating for more than a year as part of the military’s counter-terrorism operations in North Waziristan agency.

Developing Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capability is firmly in support of our counter-terrorism strategy, targets the problem at source and reduces the risk of a terrorist attack, potentially against UK interests.

Subject to completion of the departmental minute process, gifting is expected to be undertaken in the fourth quarter of 2015.

[HCWS179]