A reported defence agreement with US company Powerus has drawn attention to the gap between Pakistan’s formal policy and its wider international networks…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Pakistan’s longstanding policy of not recognising Israel has come under renewed scrutiny following its reported defence engagement with US drone company Powerus, according to a report by Eurasia Review.
Islamabad continues to maintain that it does not recognise Israel and supports an independent Palestinian state based on the pre 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The latest debate centres on whether Pakistan’s expanding engagement with US defence and business networks can involve individuals and organisations with connections to Israel without representing a change in its formal policy.
On September 16, Powerus announced an agreement with the Pakistan Army covering unmanned and autonomous systems. The company also said it had received an initial procurement order for unmanned aerial systems, although the value and specific details were not disclosed. Reuters reported that Pakistan’s military confirmed discussions with Powerus but did not publicly confirm the memorandum of understanding.
Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations said a Powerus delegation led by co founder Brett Velicovich met Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at military headquarters in Rawalpindi. The discussions covered defence technology, procurement, production and capacity building.
The company’s connections to Israel have attracted particular attention. Al Jazeera reported that Powerus co founder Ziv Marom is a veteran of the Israeli military and previously founded Kaizen Aerospace, which is now part of the Powerus group. The report also identified another senior executive, Justin Gans, as a former executive at Elbit Systems of America, the US arm of Israeli defence company Elbit Systems.
The Eurasia Review report cited these links as an example of how Pakistan’s formal non recognition policy can coexist with engagement involving international corporate networks that include personnel with Israeli connections.
Pakistan’s position on Israel has not formally changed. The country has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Palestinian statehood, while maintaining that it has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
The Powerus agreement itself does not establish diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Israel. Powerus said its memorandum provides a framework for potential cooperation in unmanned and autonomous defence technologies and does not constitute a definitive agreement or create a purchase obligation. Any future programmes would remain subject to further agreements, approvals and applicable US laws.
The episode has nevertheless prompted discussion about the distinction between Pakistan’s diplomatic policy and its wider international commercial and defence relationships.
Powerus has said it is exploring longer term cooperation with Pakistan, including potential joint technology ventures and local production. Reuters reported that the company offers aerial and maritime drones for military and industrial applications.
The development comes as Pakistan seeks to expand its defence and economic engagement with the United States. The Powerus deal therefore places renewed focus on how Islamabad balances its stated position on Israel with its growing involvement in international defence and technology networks.
