Pakistan showcases new defence tech
2,111 views · Published 4 December 2018 · 4:59 · Indexed 4 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(29 Nov 2018) LEADIN: More than 250 companies from 50 countries are showcasing their latest military technology at Pakistan's premier defence exhibition. Pakistan is eager to show off it's own innovations, including an unmanned combat drone. STORYLINE: It is Pakistan's biggest display of locally developed weapons. The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is showcasing the latest military grade weapons - with over 250 companies present from 50 countries here in Karachi, say organisers. But the major exhibitors have come from Pakistan - and they're showing off the latest in military innovation, like this drone, the NESCOM 'Burraq'. The drone is designed for surveillance and target acquisition missions. Built by the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) alongside the Pakistan Air Force, it has been used in a number of operations in Pakristan since 2015. With a maximum cruise speed of 220 km/h, the manufactures say it is ideal for reconnaissance. "We have this Burraq UAV which is a state-of-the-art UAV, completely indigenously built in Pakistan," says Asad Kamal, Director of Global Industrial & Defence Solutions Pakistan. "We take pride in presenting this to the outside world. Burraq has exceptional performance when it comes to surveillance. It can give you unmatched quality from 12,000 feet day and night. It is being used operationally by the Pakistani armed forces. And using the IDEAS platform, we are introducing Burraq UAV to our customers across the globe". Pakistan is the perfect place to host such an exhibition due to its geographical location as the 'gateway' to Central Asia, South West Asia and the Persian Gulf. Event organisers say IDEAS presents an 'ideal opportunity to defence manufacturers for entering collaboration and joint ventures with Parkistan or other prospective international partners'. "It's very hard to get everybody together," explains Adnan Rana, the President of the National Defence Group. "Coordination itself is a nightmare. I'd say that in four days, the kind of mileage IDEAS presents to any seller, international or domestic, is greater than what he would get travelling non-stop for two years. This is the advantage of IDEAS. That's is the advantage it gives me". The largest local company is Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), which comes under the country's Ministry of Defence. It is displaying a full range of products that illustrate over half-a-century of experience in weaponry, including heavy artillery. "We are displaying the complete range of our small arms, which is G3 rifles, small machine guns, MP5s, pistols," says Usman Ali Bhatti, Director, Pakistan Ordnance Factories. "We are exhibiting our complete range of ammunitions (including) 9 millimeters, 7.62 (mm) even 12.7 (mm) gun and its ammunition is on display gun here. We are also exhibiting artillery calibers. Medium artillery and heavy artillery calibers are here. We have mortars, pyrotechnics, RPG-7s. Besides that, (we have) all the products of our commercial subsidiaries." There is also heavy arsenal on display – in the form of miniature models, as well as the real deal. The Pakistan Air Force is displaying its JF-17 Thunder aircraft, while the Chinese companies have similar models on display. Visitors also have the opportunity to pose alongside some major weaponry, including the Al-Zarrar battle tank. The four-day exhibition ends Friday. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ee35d72d279ebee9321acfca0290642c
