December 3, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 8, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are likely to increase defence cooperation in various fields, including manufacturing of small arms and joint training programmes.

Informed sources told Dawn on Tuesday that Vice Chief of Army Staff Gen Mohammad Yousaf was leaving for a week-long visit to Riyadh and Cairo on Friday to hold talks in this regard.

During his 3-day visit to Saudi Arabia, the vice chief would hold discussions with the officials of the Saudi defence ministry and the National Guards. The Saudi authorities, sources said, had sought inquiries about different kinds of military hardware being made by Pakistan on which Gen Yousef would take them into confidence.

The vice chief’s visit follows the recent visit to Pakistan by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. “That is why Gen Yousaf’s visit to the Kingdom is considered significant in terms of enhancing military relations between the two countries,” a source said.

Sources said the authorities of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories had gathered details of the country’s quality arms and ammunitions to be placed before the Saudi authorities.

“Saudi Arabia is interested in establishing its defence industry and wants major cooperation with Pakistan,” said a source, adding that the Military Industries Cooperation of Saudi Arabia wanted to enhance military collaboration with Pakistan, particularly in the wake of fast changing international environment.

Sources said there was vast scope for joint collaboration between the two countries in the fields of small and medium arms and ammunitions. Besides, they added, there was greater scope for cooperation in the development of tanks and armourer vehicles, guns and the manufacturing of long-range artillery and rockets.

Gen Yousef will arrive in Cairo on Dec 8. Egypt has reportedly shown interest in holding joint training programmes for military officers, besides having cooperation in other defence matters.

Sources said Saudi and Egyptian authorities had appreciated POF for specializing in the manufacture of commercial explosives, hunting ammunitions, and brass, copper and aluminium ingots.