Indian Military

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's elected government will complete its tenure as there is no threat to democracy and the army has no intention of coming to power, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.

"The army neither intends to come to power nor will it come to power. The judiciary is independent and pro-democratic," he told journalists at his official residence yesterday.

There is no threat to democracy as the civilian government came to power after making numerous sacrifices and winning the 2008 election, he said.

The army is part of the civilian government and is taking part in flood relief activities at the government's request, he added.

"Despite this if some people are engaged in a debate (about a threat to the government and the army coming to power), they are wasting their time," Gilani said.

He said those who consider the army and the civilian government as two separate entities are living in a "fool's paradise".

NEW DELHI: Aiming to strengthen its medium-lift helicopter fleet, the IAF is planning to procure 59 more Mi-17 IV choppers in addition to the 80 ordered earlier from Russia.

The 80 choppers ordered in 2008 will be for enhancing the medium-lift helicopter fleet of the IAF whereas the next 59 would be used for replacing the older ones in the existing fleet which will be phased out in coming years, defence ministry officials said here.

The proposal for acquiring the 59 choppers has already been cleared by the defence acquisition council and will be put up for cabinet committee on security clearance soon, they said.

India will start receiving the first of 80 Mi-17 transport helicopters from Russia by the end of this year which will help in augmenting its capability to carry out missions in high-altitude areas and relief operations.

The remaining choppers are likely to be inducted in phased manner in next four years.

In 2008, India had signed a deal with Russia to supply 80 Mi-17s to augment its existing fleet of around 150 Mi-8 and Mi-17 medium-lift choppers, which have over five tonne load carrying capability and are also used to ferry troops and VIPs.