Pakistan is planning to transfer 44 T-80UD main battle tanks (MBTs) to Ukraine, stepping up defence supplies to the country in exchange for financial assistance from Western countries, according to people aware of the matter.
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 invading Russian forces, they said.
The development comes at a time when traditional allies of Pakistan are not keen to offer interest-free loans to the country when it is facing a severe crisis, said people in the know.
Pakistan is reportedly considering sending MBTs as it has been regularly supplying arms, ammunition and artillery in collaboration with the West. Earlier, tanks were sent to Ukraine by its European allies.
The Pakistani armed forces have a total of 2,467 MBTs. The T-80UD is an improved version of the Soviet-made T-80 tanks. Ukraine and Pakistan share close military and industrial ties. Pakistan had purchased more than 320 Ukrainian T-80UD tanks in service with a fully formed ecosystem for their upkeep, ammunition and spare parts. Between 1991 and 2020, Ukraine concluded arms contracts worth nearly $1.6 billion with Pakistan.
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