The Ideas program started in 2000 and showcases Pakistan’s arms export potential. It preserves the efforts of the sons and daughters of the land of Crescent to stay independent. The JF-17 Thunder, the Al-Khalid Tanks, the Augusta class subs, the Uqaab UAVs, the Hataf, and Shaheen missiles show a credible defense capability that stopped 300,000 soldiers from crossing the Pakistani border.
Around 94 local firms are participating in the event along with hundreds of companies from 58 different countries.
The fluid geopolitical climate resulting from the rapid changes in the global security situation in recent years has forced many governments to take a fresh look at their national security mechanisms. In a bid to effectively meet the new challenges posed by the transformed regional and global security dynamics, many countries have started to make sizable budgetary allocations for modernization and upgrade programmes of their armed forces. At present, structural and technological improvements dominate the planning of most militaries and law enforcement agencies of the world.
The most volatile geopolitical region in Asia, has now become one of the largest markets for defence products. The changing international security milieu has brought governments and militaries closer together to share their ideas and plans to meet the requirements to maintain regional and global peace. To cope with the challenges in an economically affordable manner, outsourcing, joint ventures and technological collaborations play a significant role.
“Our defence exports have been rising substantially because the arms and ammunition we manufacture meet international standards,” Maj Gen Mohammad Farooq, Director General of the Defence Export Promotion Organisation, said.
“We even won a contract in the face of tough competition from developed countries to manufacture parts of Boeing aircraft,”Farooq told a newspaper.
The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), showcases a wide variety of technology, ranging from equipment used in the third world countries to the most sophisticated systems from the West. This exhibition provides a perfect interactive platform for the defence forces to assess the best products and technology to cater for their respective defence-related requirements…
- Pakistan rebounding from volatile events. It evaluated its dangerous geo political situation as well as a belligerent international atmosphere. The sons and daughters of Pakistan pledged “Never again” and developed a comprehensive strategy to be self-sufficient in her defense needs. It created a Nuclear deterrent, indigenous Al Khalid Tanks and
- A missile program that is the envy of South Asia. Neither the mercenaries sent from the across the border, not the blackmail can now harm the fabric of the country.
- Pakistan a US ally faced American sanctions and developed its own JF-17 Thunder fighter which will move towards the 4th generation fighters of the world and opens up an export potential worth billions of Dollars
- Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder Fighter Plane. US sanctions and external existential threats forced Pakistan to go nuclear
- Beyond the Pakistani made JF-17 Thunder Fighter Plane, Chinese made J-10s. When will PAF acquire the J-11s
- Pakistan defense based on missile nuclear deterrent hataf shaheen babar and abdali
- Pakistan’s 500 Al-Khalid tanks have been in production since 2001. Newer generation tanks now being exported via IDEAS 2008
Pakistani arms exports have over taken the Indian exports of arms. Pakistan is now exporting sophisticated equipment and has become a supplier to Boeing. With the JF-Thunder manufacturing reaching 2nd and third generation planes, the aircraft will also be exported to various countries. The Al-Khalid tank has been part of the Pakistani armored divisions and has been exported to Saudi Arabia. Pakistan is now making 25-50 planes a year. Each JF-17 Thunder will bring in $25 million and this is a cash cow ready to be milked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5eYP_V8tkg
“India tries to gloss over its policy of repression in Kashmir,” she replied. “India does have might, but has been unable to crush the people of Kashmir. We are not prepared to keep silent, and collude with repression.” Benazir Bhutto
“The Kashmiri people have risen up,” … “and it is the national purpose of Pakistan to help liberate them.” …. “If the jihadis go out and contain India, tying down their army on their own soil, for a legitimate cause, why should we not support them?”Hamid Gul as quoted in the New York Times. Jan 4, 2008
“He [Zardari] has spoken out of mindset and the mindset of his party. And this is not going to sideline the Kashmir issue, which has the firm strength of lakh of sacrifices laid down by our youth. Pakistani people still support our cause, so Zardari’s statement is not going to affect the Kashmir cause,” said chairman of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Geelani.
Pakistan is also manufacturing optical instruments like night vision devices, laser range finders and designators, laser threat sensors, mortars, mine detectors, anti-tank rifles, missile boats, different types of tear gases, security equipment and sporting and hunting guns were also being manufactured in Pakistan.
There is also a joint venture with South Korea’s Poongsan company for manufacturing improved artillery ammunition. Pakistan is cooperating with France’s Nexter company to increase the range, accuracy and effectiveness of different weapons.
KARACHI: The five-day event of arms, ammunition and combat equipments, International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2008 will begin today (Monday) with the aim to be one of the biggest events in the history of Pakistan.
Around 94 local firms are participating in the event along with hundreds of companies from 58 different countries. IDEAS is an exhibition that brings together local and international manufactures and buyers at the Expo Centre to view the finest defence materials that give maximum security to law enforcement agencies including police, rangers and army officials of the five corps.
Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) Director General Major General Muhammad Farooq briefed the media and highlighted the salient features of the exhibition on Sunday.
“The platform of IDEAS 2008 provides an opportunity to demonstrate Pakistan’s defence capabilities, technical strengths and other related skills, training and services. It gives the chance to various groups to explore the possibility for cooperation and joint ventures and collaboration in the field of defence production,” he said. Arms fair opens today By Jamil Khan
Farooq mentioned that the response from foreign and local firms in the current exhibition was higher when compared to the IDEAS that was held in 2006. Around 221 leading defence manufacturers from 27 different countries took part in the event, of which 148 foreign and 73 domestic companies also displayed their products.
“This year we booked all the space available at the Expo Center Karachi to accommodate 256 defence companies from 58 countries from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Far East, China, Turkey and Africa,” he said.
Shedding light on the objective of IDEAS 2008, he said that Pakistan has proved its organizational skills by arranging such a huge event in Karachi. “The major objective of holding such events is to build Pakistan’s image as a moderate, tolerant and cooperative nation that is committed to boost its defence capacity,” he said.
He, however, said that other features the event is holding seminars and meetings between the delegates form within and outside Pakistani firms. DG Farooq said that they were adopting self-reliant options when it came to holding such projects and not taking a single penny from the national exchequer. “We don’t want to be a burden on the public’s money,” he said.
He also announced that the most important feature of the current exhibition was displaying, for the first time, the JF-17 Thunder fighter plane, which is a proud co-production of the Pakistan Defence Industry and China.
To a question he stated that during the previous exhibitions, various foreign delegates showed an interest in the indigenous products including the Al-Khalid tank, however, he added that currently the local defence industry is putting all its effort into addressing the local orders of the Pakistan Army and making it self-sufficient.
He appreciated the support rendered by the armed forces, the federal, provincial and city government as well as the people of Karachi for their warm hearted hospitality, help and support wherever it was needed in the event.
The exhibition will be held from 5am to 10am, the roads surrounding the Expo Center will be sealed for all traffic expect the delegates and visitors who have been issued passes by the organizers. Arms fair opens today By Jamil Khan
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Ayesha Siddiqa’s MILITARY INC: A Deflective and Derogatory Book
A look behind the scenes at the IDEAS event in Karachi.
A Turkish official scrambles to set up his stall before the IDEAS arms expo gets underway
Frantic last minute adjustments before the show opened
Major General Muhammad Farooq addresses the media before the start of the expo.
The Raad tank was amongst the items on display at the expo
Small arms were especially popular at the expo, with a wide variety of local and international guns on display
Pakistani airforce personnel stand beside a JF-17 fighter jet at the expo in Karachi
1 Comment
November 28, 2008 at 6:44 am
Pakistan is presently doing a mind blowing job in this industry and we as Pakistani nation must appriciate our arms forces and the maker of equipments which are not only being used to save our national against military threats but also to be sold for billion of dollors………….