Strategic Plans Division Force
SPD Force | |
---|---|
عسکری حکمتِ عملی ڈیوژن فورس | |
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Founded | 2 February 2000 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | National Command Authority |
Role | Strategic/Protection of nuclear materials |
Size | 25,000+[1] |
Part of | Strategic Plans Division |
Garrison/HQ | Joint Staff HQ in Rawalpindi |
Nickname(s) | SPDF |
Commanders | |
Director General, Security | Major General Muhammad Aamir Majeed |
The Strategic Plans Division Force (SPD Force) is a paramilitary unit responsible for safeguarding Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, including both tactical and strategic nuclear weapons, as well as the security of nuclear facilities where these weapons and materials are produced and stored.[2][3]
It is the security branch of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) which in turn acts as the secretariat of National Command Authority.[4]
Historical background and role
[edit]The Strategic Plans Division Force is paramilitary force that is responsible for providing provision of security to country's strategic sites and protecting the nuclear materials.[5] It's a heavily armed force, which is reflective of the anticipated capabilities of an adversary likely to attempt an assault against nuclear material-holding sites.[6]
The leadership appointment of the Strategic Plans Division Force comes directly from Pakistan Army.[7] Designated as a Director-General Security, its a two-star rank general officer who reports directly to Director General of the Strategic Plans Division.[7] There are four security directorates for each strategic organization and each directorate is led by Brigadier.[8]
Initially, the active-duty members of the Pakistan Armed Forces provided the security of the agency but the agency now has started hiring its own personnel. At start, these recruits were trained at Pakistan Army's training centers[8] but since 2012 SPD force has been training these recruits in its own academy known as Pakistan’s Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security (PCENS)[9][10] located in Chakri near Rawalpindi.[11] This training facility is modeled on US National Nuclear Security Administration's Federal Protective Forces academy.[8]
Special Response Force
[edit]Special Response Force (SRF) is the special forces unit of SPD Force.[12] SRF is based on training techniques of SSG and has retired SSG commandos as training staff.[13]
Weapons
[edit]SPD Force's primary weapons are G3, Type 56 and Type 81 assault rifles.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2024). The Military Balance 2024. London: Routledge. ISBN 9781032780047.
- ^ "No PR71/2013-ISPR". www.ispr.gov.pk. ISPR. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- ^ "COAS reposes full confidence in Pakistan's nuclear security regime". ARY News. November 13, 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- ^ "Kidwai to retire as head of Pakistan's n-programme caretakers". The Express Tribune. December 18, 2013. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- ^ "Strategic Plans Division Force". Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "700 trainees join SPD security force". The Nation. November 7, 2011. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- ^ a b "1,000 SPD Security Soldiers complete training in Abbotabad centers". Samaa. April 23, 2013. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- ^ a b c "Nuclear Learning in Pakistan Since 1998" (PDF). School of Social Sciences, University of Western Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ "ISPR Hilal Magazine - Nuclear Security is a Sacred Responsibility: COAS". www.hilal.gov.pk. ISPR. Archived from the original on 2016-05-04. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ "COAS expresses confidence in Pakistan's nuclear security". www.dawn.com. DAWN. 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ "INAUGURATION CEREMONY of SPD TRAINING ACADEMY". www.ispr.gov.pk. ISPR. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- ^ Ceremony, SSF. "Wing Award Ceremony (SRF), Passing Out Parade (SSBC) & Expo at SPD Training Academy Rawalpindi". www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- ^ Release, Press. "No PR99/2013-ISPR". www.ispr.gov.pk. ISPR. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2015.