KARACHI, Nov 15: Pakistan’s indigenous defence production, through which the country has been earning more than $200 million annually in exports, would be on display, alongside the products of some of the world’s leading defence manufacturers, at the fourth international defence exhibition “Ideas 2006” at the Expo Centre here from Nov 21 to 24.
This was stated by Maj-Gen Syed Absar Hussain, Director General, Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) while addressing a news conference here on Wednesday.
He said that 107 delegates from 95 countries have been invited to the exhibition whereas 75 of them, from 70 countries, had so far confirmed their participation.
In the backdrop of the ongoing global war on terrorism and Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in the evolving ‘remote war’ scenario, a display of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) and numerous local and foreign electronic gadgets would be of special interest to visitors.
Presence of the two variations of the indigenously manufactured UAVs in the Ideas-2006 would be of special interest because of their increasing use in the war on terror and possibility of their greater deployment in the remotely fought wars in the future. The US-made Predators and Pakistani drones had played a significant role in recent skirmishes with militants and the exhibition would provide an opportunity to compare Pakistan’s capability in this realm with that of India which was using Israeli drones.
A seminar on the “Expanding Global Security Environment” would be held on the first day of the exhibition.
Maj-Gen Hussain hoped the exhibition would provide a platform to participants to strike deals on the sideline of the extravaganza.
Pakistan, he said, could register a quantum leap in defence-related export earnings if a deal for anyone of its major products, like the Al-Khalid or Al-Zarrar tanks and armoured personnel carriers, were concluded. He said that Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and some other countries were keenly observing performance of these products.
Pakistan has provided credit line to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and some other countries for purchasing Pakistan military technology.
The DEPE director general said that rulers of Thailand and Myanmar would be among the foreign delegates at the Ideas-2006 which, he said, was indicative of the importance of this event for the countries of this region.
Also on display would be locally manufactured MVRD simulators for tank drivers. In addition to logistical equipment, anti-tank missiles and POF’s improved and smart weapons, some of the strategic assets, would also be on display, though not for sale.
Pakistan’s private sector would be in full strength to promote its products along side the exhibitors from US, China, Germany, France, Italy, Britain and other major countries.
There would also be presentation on the JF -17 Thunder aircraft which has been built in collaboration with China.
This year, the event would be held in six halls, in addition to the outdoor static displays.
A display by joint armed forces would be held at Manora to mark the culmination of the “Arms for Peace” exhibition.
The organisers of the exhibition have planned a four-hour extravaganza for the people of Karachi on Nov 25 at the People’s Stadium in Lyari. About 800 families from each of the district’s 18 towns would be invited to the colourful ceremony.
