KAMRA (Attock), March 21: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said that Pakistan had no offensive designs against any country and its armaments were for peace and self-defence.
He was addressing a ceremony at the Aeronautical Complex in Kamra to mark the arrival of two JF-17 Thunder aircraft from China. The aircraft have been jointly manufactured by Pakistan and China and would be later inducted into the Pakistan Air Force.
“We do not foster aggressive designs against any neighbouring country but we will defend our integrity and solidarity at any cost with strong defence. Therefore, defence forces of the country are being equipped with modern defence equipment and aircraft.”The president said that the air force would be equipped with advanced aircraft and equipment to defend the motherland.
Referring to the JF-17 project, he said it had demonstrated the long-standing and time-tested relationship between Pakistan and China.
The president said that this indigenous and diversified production by the two countries would strengthen bilateral relations.
Referring to the newly-inaugurated Gwadar Port as an example of China's cooperation, President Musharraf said that the manufacturing of JF-17 was yet another great example of China's assistance for the prosperity of Pakistan.
He said the JF-17 project would lead the country towards increased technological self-reliance and indegenisation which were key to an assured defence capability.
The president referred to the manufacturing of Super Mushak aircraft, K-8 advanced jet trainer aircraft, Ougusta submarine, Al-Khalid, Al-Zarar tanks, armed personnel carriers and a series of long- and medium-range missiles, and said these were the milestones of indegenisation.
Later, he inspected the JF-17 aircraft.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said: “We thank Almighty Allah for giving us the strength, wisdom and foresight to conceive the idea of the JF-17 aircraft.
