SONMIANI, Sept 20: A thrilling display of aerobatics, ground-to-ground, and ground-to-air firing was held at the PAF Firing Range here on Friday.

Weapons and ammunitions produced by the Pakistan Ordnance Factory, Pakistan Machine Tool Factory, etc., were used during an hour-long spectacular demonstration to mark the end of the five-day defence exhibition, IDEAS 2002.

The Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Mohammed Yusuf, was the chief guest at the demonstration which was also witnessed by Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro, civil and military officials, diplomats and foreign dignitaries.

Two aircraft — Karakorum-8 (K-8) and Super Mushak — displayed skills in aerobatics.

K-8 is a sleek looking, elegant, and low-winged advanced trainer aircraft produced as a joint venture between PAC Kamra and China Aero Technology Import & Export Corporation. It has been designed to impart basic and advanced training to pilots. It demonstrated aerobatics by taking outstanding manoeuvres at different speeds as it has the capability to manoeuvres at all speeds.

Super Mushak is the advanced version of AMF Mushak, originally known as SAAB MFI-17. It is powered by Textron Lycoming 260HP engine with protection against hot and humid environment with a speed of 145 knots in level flights. It has been manufactured in the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.

A battle-field was prepared and it was assumed that enemy was moving ahead. Anti-tank missiles, Al-Khalid battle tank, Anza MK-II, Baktar Shikan, 120 Mor bombs and other weaponry were used to hit the targets successfully.

Al-Khalid is equipped with a 125mm smooth bore gun, 1200HP multifuel turbo-charged diesel engine, auto tracking system, and bi-axis stabilization with hunter killer capability.

Manufactured by the KRL, Anza MK-II is an improved version of Anza MK-I, which is in service with the armed forces. This version is compatible with all latest surface-to-air missiles and has a range of 5000m. It is highly reliable, light weight, portable and incorporates a contact fuse warhead. The main differences are in its high speed (600 m/s), high resultant and sustained velocity, high manoeuvrability and all aspect engagement capability.

Baktar Shikan, manufactured by the KRL, is effective up to a range of 3,500 metre. This anti-tank guided missile is capable of penetrating 500mm of armour.

The 107mm rocket launcher with single, twin and quadruple barrels is electronically operated. It can be effective in the range up to 15km. It is an effective bunker buster and is considered useful against fortified positions. It is mounted on a tripod and operated by a two-men crew.

Spectators appreciated when they saw tanks and missiles hitting the targets accurately.

Later, Gen Yusuf told journalists that the borders were fully protected as a professional army equipped with latest weaponry was there to defend the country.

He said Pakistan was thankful to western countries who, by imposing sanctions on Pakistan, had helped the country achieve self-reliance in defence equipment production.

Gen Yusuf said the defence equipment production had increased during the tenure of the present government and hoped that the country would earn more foreign exchange after getting orders for defence equipment. Besides selling equipment, Pakistan was imparting training to the forces of some of the regional and brotherly countries which would help improve the relations between them and Pakistan, he added.