US to deliver laser-guided bomb kits to Pakistan

Washington: The US will deliver a set of 1,000 sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits to Pakistan this month arguing that the weapon upgrade will enable the government there to strike insurgent targets with greater precision. Pakistani forces are currently engaged in ousting Taliban insurgents from rugged tribal areas of South Waziristan, a province on its frontier with Afghanistan.

A GBU-24 Paveway III missile hits the ground

Islamabad has consented to undertake military action against Taliban and pro-Taliban elements only after receiving substantial inducements from Washington in terms of money and military equipment. The United States of America is desperate to enlist Islamabad's cooperation in engaging Taliban insurgents which have taken shelter in the frontier regions of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan.

Lt Col Jeffry Glenn, an Air Force spokesman, said Tuesday that the US had already delivered 1,000 MK-82 bombs to Pakistan last month. The MK-82 is an unguided, low drag, general purpose bomb or a 'dumb' bomb.

This month's shipment of kits would enable Pakistan to convert the 'dumb' Mk-82 bomb into a 'smart' one with laser guided kits fitted on. The sophisticated laser technology will be used to guide the bombs to specific targets.

A laser-guided bomb (LGB) is a precision guided munition (PGM) that uses semi-active laser homing to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than a free-fall bomb, such as the Mk-82.

Lt Col Glenn also said the US also plans to provide Pakistan 18 new F-16 fighter jets by June.