IDEAS 2014: Pakistan's Biggest Arms Show in Karachi

[Riaz Haq]

International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), Pakistan biannual arms show, made a modest beginning in year 2000 on President Musharraf's directive. It has since grown into a major international event with hundreds of exhibitors and delegates attending from several dozen countries. It has also served to help highlight and promote Pakistan's domestic defense industry and sign several arms export deals with friendly nations.

The just concluded IDEAS 2014 attracted 333 defense-related companies including 50 companies from Pakistan. Delegates from 50 countries attended the show this year.

The fact that Pakistan is the third largest importer of arms in the world is not lost on major arms merchants. World's top arms importer is India with 14% market share followed by China and Pakistan with 5% each, according to Stockholm-based SIPRI. 

International Arms Market Source: SIPRI While Pakistan's traditional allies China and Turkey were the biggest exhibitors occupying the largest space at the show, the most notable new entrant this year was Russia, the biggest arms supplier to Pakistan's arch-rival India.  Russian defense minister visited Pakistan and agreed to sell Mi-35 attack helicopters. There was also a report in IHS Jane's 360 publication that, under a new Pakistan-Russia defense cooperation agreement, Russia will now directly supply RD-93 Klimov jet engine for JF-17 fighter aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan.  While the JF-17 was the star of the show for Pakistan, other major Pakistan-made attractions included smart-bomb named Takbir, a high-tech weapon system POF Eye, and new drones Burraq and Shahpar and trainer aircraft Mushshaq and Super Mushshaq.  There were also armored car manufacturers catering to rising domestic demand fueled by security concerns in Pakistan.  Pakistan-made Takbir ‪ is a 250 Kg air-launched smart bomb that can accurately hit target 80-100 km away. It expands its wings as soon as it is launched and makes its way while dodging the hurdles in its way to hit its intended target.  Pakistan-made POF Eye is a special-purpose hand-held weapon system similar in concept to the Israeli-made CornerShot that can fire weapons (bullets, hand-grenades) around corners. It is designed for SWAT and special forces teams in hostile situations, particularly counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations. It allows its operator to both see and attack an armed target without exposing the operator to counter-attack.  Pakistani officials claim having closed several arms export deals to sell different weapon systems, including agreements with four Middle Eastern and African countries for the sale of one JF-17 squadron each.  Here's a video discussion on multiple subjects including Karachi Defense Show: PTI Plans; Junaid Jamshed Blasphemy; Modi Minister's Attack on Non-... from WBT TV on Vimeo. Related Links: Haq's Musings Pakistani Army's Capabilities What if Modi Attacks Pakistan? India-Pakistan Military Balance Pakistan's Defense Industry  Pakistan Army at the Gates of Delhi  Pakistan Launches UAV Production Line at Kamra Pakistan's Military-Industrial Complex Can Pakistani Military Defeat the Taliban? Can Pakistan Learn From Sri Lanka to End Terror?

[Riaz Haq]

#Pakistan Seeks #France's Thales Damocles Targeting Pod For JF-17 Fighter Aircraft for precision targeting http://www.defenseworld.net/news/15768/Pakistan_Seeks_Thales_Damocl... …

Pakistan is assessing the Thales-made Damocles targeting pod to be mounted on its JF-17 aircraft for giving the fighter precision-targeting capability.
Pakistan Air Force deputy chief Muhammad Ashfaque Arain, currently in Paris to discuss the possibility of acquiring the Domacles pod was quoted by Reuters today as saying, “the Damocles is a battle- proven system and the other options are not. If we do not get the Damocles pod for example, then we will need to look for alternate options that may not be proven.”
The JF-17 is a China- Pakistan joint venture manufactured in Pakistan. Arain said that the JF-17 with the Pakistan Air Force had been performing well but its usefulness in current operations was limited because it lacks precision-targeting, a need which would be fulfilled if Thales sold it the Damocles pod.
Arain revealed that 16 JF-17s will be produced this year in Pakistan and a further 20 in 2017. The aircraft are equipped to carry air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and bombs.
The Damocles is a 3rd generation targeting pod, modular, eye-safe laser and a high performance pod. It is currently operated by Malaysia’s Su-30MKM jets, UAE Mirage 2000-9 jet, Saudi’s Tornado and Typhoon aircraft, as well as France’s Rafale and Mirage 2000D jets. 

[Riaz Haq]

261 foreign firms to attend #ideas2016 #defense expo in #Karachi #Pakistan https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/166551-261-foreign-firms-to-attend... …

KARACHI: Commodore Tahir Javed has said that 90 delegations of 43 countries are participating in IDEAS 2016, while 261 foreign and 157 Pakistani firms will put up their stalls.

Addressing a press conference regarding the 9th IDEAS 2016 starting from November 22 at the Karachi Expo Center, Director Media Defense Export Promotion Organization Commodore Tahir Javed said that the exhibition has been extended from all the previous IDEAS expos and foreign defense delegations have responded positively over the invitations and 90 delegations from 43 countries are participating in the exhibition.

He said that two MoUs were signed in 2014, while this year 14 MoUs will be signed. The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is the biggest defence exhibition of international stature, held biennially in Pakistan. The route leading to the Expo Centre from Karachi Airport has been decorated with national flags and buntings and the traffic police have announced alternate routes as the four-day International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2016 is set to begin on Nov 22.

The IDEAS 2014 was successfully conducted from 1-4 December 2014, at Expo Center, Karachi. It was 8th in the series, since the inception of the Exhibition. The IDEAS 2014 had an opportunity and distinction to host participants from 67 countries. It also attracted 256 exhibitors, 88 foreign defence delegations (from 50 countries) including trade visitors.

According to DEPO, the IDEAS-2014 was a great success. All the defence delegates, exhibitors, trade visitors and speakers of the seminar/sideline conferences conveyed their appreciation for the elaborate planning, efficient organization, flawless and befitting conduct of this mega international event of our region. The forum indeed helped to project Pakistan as a modern, progressive and tolerant state that is determined to recover her distorted image.

Now, the IDEAS 2016 would improve the image of Karachi at international level, the District Municipal Corporation (DMC) Korangi said in a statement on Sunday as it placed welcome banners for the delegates from Karachi Airport up to Drigh Road and also decorated the route with national flags and buntings.

[Riaz Haq]

INCREASED ACTIVITY FROM PAKISTAN’S PRIVATE SECTOR

http://quwa.org/2016/11/26/takeaways-from-ideas-part-2-increased-ac...

Several Pakistani private sector vendors, most notably Metal Engineering Works, Shibli Electronics, and Blitzkrieg Defence Solutions, have entered Pakistan’s procurement mix as real factors.

Interestingly, the local private sector is not a new entrant in Pakistan’s defence industry, a few companies had been engaged with their public-sector counterparts and the armed forces for roughly 20 years. However, these vendors, such as Integrated Dynamics, accounted for minor portions of the armed forces’ procurement, especially since their applications (especially in the case of Integrated Dynamics) would be very specific and low in scale (in comparison to armoured vehicles and small arms).

In IDEAS 2016, it was apparent that Pakistan’s private sector had become eager to access a larger portion of the armed forces’ requirements. For example, Blitzkrieg Defence Solutions marketed its Hamza 8×8 multi-role armoured vehicle (MCV), which takes aim at multiple Pakistan Army requirements, namely the need for an 8×8 wheeled-armoured personnel carrier and mine-protected ambush-protected vehicle. In addition, Metal Engineering Works partnered with the Spanish automaker URO Vehículos Especiales, S.A. (UROVESA) to offer the VAMTAC ‘High Mobility Tactical Vehicle.’ The VAMTAC could be positioned as a general-purpose utility vehicle, one the armed forces could use for transport or even specialized missions (such as carrying low-level radars or very short-range air-defence systems).

Blitzkrieg and Metal Engineering Works are taking aim at the same requirements that Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) – which is the armed forces’ main armoured solutions supplier today – caters for through its line-up. Orders from the Ministry of Defence and/or Ministry of Interior would provide these companies with high-volume and high-value business lines, and it would also incentivize other private players to enter the market, potentially with the backing and/or partnership with overseas manufacturers.

Vehicles are not the only area of interest to the private sector; Metal Engineering Works also has a partnership in place with the Spanish company Instalaza for supplying Pakistan with the Alcotán-100 recoilless anti-tank rocket launcher (produced locally if ordered). If Metal Engineering Works gains traction, it would not be implausible to see others (domestic or foreign) enter the munitions space.

Shibli Electronics began offering its catalogue of thermal imaging sensors earlier in the year – the TASIER and SKUA. The company, which maintains a development bureau in the United Arab Emirates, intends to become Pakistan’s leading optics and optronics supplier, which could drive its entry into other areas. For example, there may be an opportunity to link with the Pakistan Army’s next-generation standard-issue right program by offering reflexive sights and/or magnified scopes.

Integrated Dynamics, one of Pakistan’s earlier and successful private sector entrants, has continued fine-tuning its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solutions. Granted, it is not in the exact space as the Army and Air Force’s Chinese suppliers are in terms of armed applications, but the company has sought to double-down on its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roots. The Arrow optionally-piloted vehicle is an example of Integrated Dynamics’ effort to differentiate its offerings, and more importantly, try and offer a solution applicable to defence and civil services needs.

[Riaz Haq]

Vanguard News: #Nigeria military buying #aircraft, #helicopters from #Pakistan #Russia

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/nigerian-airforce-expects-aircra...

Concerned about global politics surrounding procurement of sophisticated arms from western countries, Nigerian Airforce (NAF) is expecting arrival of war-planes and helicopters from Pakistan and Russia to boost its fleets. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar made the disclosure at a breakfast briefing with Editors of Online Media in Abuja at the weekend.

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Air Marshal Abubakar said : “I want to say that we have been enjoying support from other countries. (Sometimes arm procurement) is shrouded in a lot of politics. Unfortunately, I’m not a politician, so I cannot be able to say much on that. But what I can tell you is that right now as I speak to you, we are expecting the Pakistani Chief of Air Staff in Nigeria soon. Pakistan has accepted to sell ten trainer airplanes. And that is why the Pakistan Chief of Air Staff is coming for the induction ceremony which is going to take place in Kaduna. “We are really getting support from many countries. Similarly, we have trained so many people in Pakistan, China. In the US, we have pilots that are training right now. We have other pilots that have just finished training from the United Kingdom. We have additional pilots that are training in South Africa. We have more pilots that are training in the Egyptian Air Force and so many other places including Russia…We are really getting support”, he said. On the competence of Nigerian fighter pilots, Abubakar said “In the last 18 months, we have flown almost 3000 hours with no incident. In terms of competence I can tell you that the Nigerian Air Force pilots are amongst the most competent. Because the training curriculum is very clear. And that is why now in the Air Force you look at the wings, pilots wear wings. We have categorized the wings according to their skill levels. We also organize simulation training for our pilots, we organize evaluation visits where pilots are evaluated without any notice. We have also sent over 700 personnel of the NAF to different parts of the world to train and acquire the skills required for them to be effective. The Chief of Air Staff said the air force is currently assisting the Nigerian Army and Navy in the North and South in countering criminal activities of terrorists and militants through operational strategy, air interdictions strategy and soft-core strategy. He explained that the main objective of is to create an enabling environment for the ground and surface forces, to be able to operate with little or no hindrance. He continued: “Another substrategy under this is the reactivation of airplanes. We have embarked on the reactivation of airplanes and today as I speak to you we are on the thirteenth aircraft. What I mean by reactivation is that aircrafts that were not in involved in any fight before the coming of the present federal government; they were parked before but are today part of the fight. “The thirteenth aircraft as I speak to you is being worked upon in Yola and we are hoping that before the end of this month that airplane will be flying. When you train, you must reactivate the platform to be used in flying.” The Air force boss also denied a recent rumour of helicopter crash in Makurdi. Explaining the incident involving Agusta AW 101 helicopter handed over to NAF by President Muhammadu Buhari, he said: “What happened in Makurdi was not a crash. Immediately we received the aircraft from the Presidency, we took one of them to Kaduna to paint it into desert camouflage. They removed the seal of the President and painted it into a combat machine.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/nigerian-airforce-expects-aircra...

[Riaz Haq]

Vanguard News: #Nigeria military buying #aircraft, #helicopters from #Pakistan #Russia

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/nigerian-airforce-expects-aircra...

Concerned about global politics surrounding procurement of sophisticated arms from western countries, Nigerian Airforce (NAF) is expecting arrival of war-planes and helicopters from Pakistan and Russia to boost its fleets. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar made the disclosure at a breakfast briefing with Editors of Online Media in Abuja at the weekend.

----

Air Marshal Abubakar said : “I want to say that we have been enjoying support from other countries. (Sometimes arm procurement) is shrouded in a lot of politics. Unfortunately, I’m not a politician, so I cannot be able to say much on that. But what I can tell you is that right now as I speak to you, we are expecting the Pakistani Chief of Air Staff in Nigeria soon. Pakistan has accepted to sell ten trainer airplanes. And that is why the Pakistan Chief of Air Staff is coming for the induction ceremony which is going to take place in Kaduna. “We are really getting support from many countries. Similarly, we have trained so many people in Pakistan, China. In the US, we have pilots that are training right now. We have other pilots that have just finished training from the United Kingdom. We have additional pilots that are training in South Africa. We have more pilots that are training in the Egyptian Air Force and so many other places including Russia…We are really getting support”, he said. On the competence of Nigerian fighter pilots, Abubakar said “In the last 18 months, we have flown almost 3000 hours with no incident. In terms of competence I can tell you that the Nigerian Air Force pilots are amongst the most competent. Because the training curriculum is very clear. And that is why now in the Air Force you look at the wings, pilots wear wings. We have categorized the wings according to their skill levels. We also organize simulation training for our pilots, we organize evaluation visits where pilots are evaluated without any notice. We have also sent over 700 personnel of the NAF to different parts of the world to train and acquire the skills required for them to be effective. The Chief of Air Staff said the air force is currently assisting the Nigerian Army and Navy in the North and South in countering criminal activities of terrorists and militants through operational strategy, air interdictions strategy and soft-core strategy. He explained that the main objective of is to create an enabling environment for the ground and surface forces, to be able to operate with little or no hindrance. He continued: “Another substrategy under this is the reactivation of airplanes. We have embarked on the reactivation of airplanes and today as I speak to you we are on the thirteenth aircraft. What I mean by reactivation is that aircrafts that were not in involved in any fight before the coming of the present federal government; they were parked before but are today part of the fight. “The thirteenth aircraft as I speak to you is being worked upon in Yola and we are hoping that before the end of this month that airplane will be flying. When you train, you must reactivate the platform to be used in flying.” The Air force boss also denied a recent rumour of helicopter crash in Makurdi. Explaining the incident involving Agusta AW 101 helicopter handed over to NAF by President Muhammadu Buhari, he said: “What happened in Makurdi was not a crash. Immediately we received the aircraft from the Presidency, we took one of them to Kaduna to paint it into desert camouflage. They removed the seal of the President and painted it into a combat machine.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/nigerian-airforce-expects-aircra...

[Riaz Haq]

#Philippines mulls #defense asset imports from #Pakistan, Says "def industry in Pak very advanced" @PhilstarNews https://shar.es/18yexc 

MANILA, Philippines — After Russia and China, the Philippines is now also looking at importing weapons and armory from Pakistan, further diversifying the country's sources from the US, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said.

"I spoke with the (Pakistani) Minister of Defense and my understanding is that the defense industry in Pakistan is very advanced, and that maybe we should look at purchasing military equipment from them...," the Finance chief said.

"I spoke right away with (Defense Secretary Delfin) Lorenzana. He says the equipment in the Pakistan Defense Ministry is very good," he added.

Dominguez mentioned this during his meeting with Pakistani Ambassador Safdar Hayat recently. A statement about the meeting was issued on Wednesday.

Pakistan is located in the Middle East and has been battling terrorist groups such as the Al-Qaeda on its borders for years after the attack in the US in September 2011.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte, upset of criticism from the United States on his war on drugs, threatened to cut ties with the country's oldest ally that has been providing military support, especially in Mindanao.

He then said he could turn to Russia and China for weapons, before backtracking and said training between US and Philippine forces in the south will continue together with armament acquisitions.

There were also reports that the US Senate canceled a gun deal with the Philippines because of the drug war's alleged human rights violations, but these were not verified.

Aside from military equipment, Dominguez said Manila is also keen on importing rice from Islamabad once import restrictions expire next year.

The government said it will not renew the quantitative restrictions on rice that had protected local farmers from cheaper rice shipments for the past decade.

"My efforts from the very beginning have been to concentrate on enhancing trade between the two countries," Hayat was quoted as telling Dominguez.

For his part, the Finance chief said he is looking forward to the first meeting of the Pakistan-Philippines Joint Economic Commission in April next year.

"We'll certainly participate. That will be a good start," he said.

Established in 2009, the commission aims to boost trade and investments between the two countries. 

According to Department of Finance data, bilateral trade between the two nations "remained at a narrow base," amounting to $61.3 million in imports and $55.7 million in exports in 2014.

Among others, the country ships corn, vehicles and vehicle parts, cigarette paper, processed fruits and nuts to Pakistan.

In turn, the Philippines receive mostly packaged medicaments, refined petroleum, alcohol, raw tobacco, non-retail pure cotton yarn and textiles from the Middle Eastern nation.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on Sept. 8, 1949, with the Philippines opening a consulate in Karachi.

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan’s Super Mushshak Grabbing World Trainer Aircraft Market Share

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/17121/Pakistan___s_Super_Mushshak_...

Pakistan’s Super Mushshak basic trainer aircraft appears to be grabbing market share for basic trainers both in the military and civil aircraft training sphere.
So far, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran and South Africa have the aircraft in service, Iran has 25 and Oman has 8. South Africa has 5 civilian variant of the aircraft. Iraq has ordered 20 in 2014, Nigeria bought 10 early this year and Qatar has signed a contract to buy an undisclosed number of Super Mushaks in June this year.
In addition, Turkey has finalized a deal with Pakistan to buy Super Mushak trainers and will be signed soon.
The Super Mushshak is an advanced variant of the Mushshak basic trainer, and is produced at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC).
PAC showcased static and aerial display of Super Mushshak aircraft, at the African Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, AAD 2016, held at Waterkloof Air Force Base at Pretoria South Africa from September 14.
The aircraft has a service ceiling of 22,000 feet, and a maximum speed of 268km/h. Range of the aircraft is reported at 814 kilometres.
The Super Mushshak has emerged as a viable alternative for nations which cannot afford basic trainer aircraft made by European and US manufacturers.

[Riaz Haq]

#Indian Army Vice Chief says #Pakistan's #defense #industrial base better than #India's. #military

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/pakistan-defence-industrial-...

Lt. Gen. Sarath Chand, Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), said the ordnance factories have not been able to keep pace with changing technology while "there is no competition whatsoever" and it is "an unsuccessful method of supporting our defence requirements".

A top Army general on Tuesday said Pakistan has a better military industrial base and exports more defence equipment than India, as he came down heavily on ordnance factories which manufacture weapons for the forces. Lt. Gen. Sarath Chand, Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), said the ordnance factories have not been able to keep pace with changing technology while “there is no competition whatsoever” and it is “an unsuccessful method of supporting our defence requirements”.
“I would even go to the extent of saying that Pakistan probably has a better industrial base, as far as defence production is concerned, than our country. In fact they export defence equipment abroad, definitely more than what we are doing,” he said.
He wondered whether the functioning of ordnance factories is because of the assured orders they have or the lack of accountability. “There is little or no research and development. They do not even have the capability of absorbing the industry through transfer of technology, and in some cases they have even failed to assemble products that have been imported from abroad,” Lt. Gen. Chand said.
“It is very hard to see ordnance factories changing in the present state. Overall it has become an unsuccessful method of supporting our defence requirements,” he said. He was speaking at the inaugural session of AMICON 2017, a two-day conference organised by the Army and the CII.

He noted that having indigenous industrial capability is very crucial for the country. He further cautioned that in an event of a war, one has to look abroad for its sustenance. “And very often, friends have let us down whenever the chips have been down,” Lt. Gen. Chand observed.
He said the ‘Make in India’ programme, the Defence Procurement Policy 2016, the strategic partnership model, and the creation of the Army Design Bureau (ADB), are major steps taken by the government for fast-tracking indigenisation in the sector.

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan inducts modernised Al Khalid-I tanks with 'outstanding capabilities'
Newly inducted tanks to add speed and firepower to Pakistan Army armoured division

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/watch-pakistan-inducts-mod...


KEY FEATURES OF AL KHALID-I
- Enhanced protection against smart ammo and other forms of top attacks
- Improved Muzzle Reference System
- Solid State Auto Loader (SSAL)
- Improved Radiation Detector
- Nuclear environment sustainable operations and life support system
- Higher strategic and tactical mobility
- Capable to withstand urban warfare

The Al Khalid main battle tank (MBT), named after the 7th-century Muslim commander Khalid bin al-Walid, is the mainstay of Pakistan Army. Al Khalid, also known as MBT-2000, was jointly developed by Pakistan and China in 1990. It first entered service with the Pakistani Army in 2001. There are an estimated 600 vehicles in service.

- Al Khalid is operated by a three-man crew: driver, gunner, and commander.


- It is fitted with NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) protection equipment.

- Al Khalid is armed with a 125mm smoothbore main gun and the 9M119M Refleks (AT-11 Sniper) laser-guided anti-tank missiles, a tandem warhead missile with a range of 5kms.

- Fully equipped for night warfare.

Lightweight and faster
The Al Khalid is moderately lightweight weighing 46 tons as compared to Germany’s Leopard 2 and American M1 Abrams – both weighing about 60 tons. Pakistan’s first indigenously manufactured tank is powered by a Ukrainian 6TD-2 liquid-cooled diesel engine capable of 1,200 horsepower with a maximum speed of 70 kilometres per hour.

Al Khalid-I
The upgraded variant Tank Al Khalid-I is a joint venture with friendly countries China and Ukraine. Developed for “higher strategic and tactical mobility”, the tank is capable of sustainable operations in the nuclear environment as well as urban combat conditions. It is equipped with enhanced protection against smart ammunition and other forms of attacks. The tank has an independent and effective command and control system for deeper and long-distance operations. Al Khalid-I is known as the most heavily weaponised tank by tonnage.

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan opens defence expo IDEAS 2022 with participation from 57 countries
300 exhibitors and hundreds of foreign delegates take part in Karachi event

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistan-opens-defence-exp...


IDEAS 2022 will feature advanced military hardware and software with a focus on technologies such as artificial intelligence. Defence manufacturers from Turkey, China, US, UK, European Union, Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa are showcasing their products at the 11th edition of the expo, said Maj. Gen. Mohammad Arif Malik, the head of the country’s Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO).

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Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who inaugurated IDEAS 2022, said that “IDEAS is an iconic platform for showcasing the latest defence technologies, and is a regional gateway for international suppliers and manufacturers to explore new avenues of defence cooperation.” He noted that Pakistan’s defence industry has achieved a sufficient level of quality, reliability and competency in the international market.

“Pakistan is now exporting high-level defence products to more than 60 countries”, however, the volume of exports did not reflect the country’s actual potential due to the limited involvement of the private sector and little attention to research and development.

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Pakistan’s longtime allies China and Turkey have the largest representation at the expo. Chinese state-run defence conglomerate China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO) displayed missiles and weapon systems including the Red Arrow 9A anti-tank guided missile.

Top Turkish defence companies, including Roketsan, state-run STM and ASFAT, showcased their products ranging from military hardware to modern drones to tactical mini-UAV systems. Turkish Aerospace exhibited the models of the T129 ATAK helicopter, Gokbey multirole helicopter, Gokturk-2 observation satellite, as well as Anka unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and Aksungur medium-altitude long-range endurance (MALE) UAV. “We aim to increase joint cooperation [with Pakistan] on high technologies that will guide the future of the aerospace industry,” said Turkish Aerospace President and CEO Prof Temel Kotil.

Some of Pakistan’s advanced military hardware exhibited at the expo included unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), air defence systems, missile systems, tanks and armoured personnel carriers (APC).

Pakistan’s Shahpar-II medium-altitude long-endurance UAV system, advanced Harbah anti-ship cruise missile by state-owned Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) and electronic warfare system by National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation were on display. The locally developed Al-Khalid tanks and modern assault rifles manufactured by Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF) were also exhibited. Spectators also got a close look at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. PAF jets are expected to perform aerial manoeuvres and demonstrate the air force’s capabilities on the concluding day of the expo.