Doha: Pakistan announced Thursday the creation of a new missile unit, three months after its military confrontation with India, marking the worst escalation between the two neighboring countries in decades. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a speech commemorating Pakistan’s Independence Day, stated that this unit, with its technology, is capable of striking the enemy in all directions and enhancing the conventional military capabilities, stressing that Pakistan will respond to any aggression and has the capacity to repel any violations.

According to Qatar News Agency, Pakistan’s arsenal includes advanced missiles, Chinese J-10C fighter jets, and jointly developed Chinese-Pakistani JF-Thunder aircraft equipped with air-to-air missiles. Between May 6 and 10, Pakistan and India exchanged missile strikes, drone attacks, and artillery shelling, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people, most of whom were civilians.

Pakistan’s defense spending this year is estimated at $9 billion, excluding salaries, marking a 20% increase.