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Pakistan rolls out its tanks, missles for sale

Pakistan rolls out its tanks, missles for sale

Author: Kamal Siddiqi
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: November 18, 2000

It is only Pakistan's first international defence exhibition, but it's left the hosts and participants impressed.  Thousands of visitors thronging the ``IDEAS 2000'' defense show, being held in Karachi, have been coming away stunned with the range of locally-manufactured weapon systems and equipment on display.

Little was known of Pakistan's military might, and the country had never put on show its full range of military might before.  Now, visitors at IDEAS 2000 could see the 1,500-kilometer-range Ghauri and 600-kilometer range Shaheen missiles, which are not for sale, in firing positions.  On static display was the 2,500-kilometer range Shaheen II missile.

Senior officials at Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Wah, said several delegations would be proceeding to the Pakistan Ordnance Factories after the show, including teams from Syria, Egypt, Bangladesh and Kenya.  Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Qatar have expressed interest in transfer of technology from Pakistan for construction of Midget and Agosta submarines, which have been built in collaboration with Italy and France, Pakistan chief of Navy, Admiral Azim Mirza told the press.

Malaysian air chief, Air Chief Marshal Sri Ahmad Saruji, told reporters that he was greatly impressed by the arrangements.  ``It is certainly impressive as you are holding the show for the first time,'' he said.  ``I have found the arrangements quite excellent and I am impressed.''

The army gave a mobility display of Al-Khalid main battle tank (MBT) and Al-Zarrar, the upgraded T-59 MBT.  Pakistan strongman General Pervez Musharraf commented that Pakistan would soon start mass production of the Al-Khalid battle tank, ``which will symbolise its capabilities in defence production.''

The 46-tonne three-man tank has a maximum speed of 65 kms per hour and a cruising range of 400 kilometers.  Musharraf said the Al-Khalid was superior to the Arjun tank, which was rejected by the Indian Army because of its heavy weight.

The Pakistan Air Force also opened up the cockpit of its upgraded Mirage III to show off the new avionics package put in place by French firm Sagem.  Also on display were the Karakoram-8 jet trainers and Super Mashshak primary trainers.

Meanwhile, senior officials of A.Q.  Khan Research Laboratory said theyhad provided some 13,000 Baktar Shikan anti-tank missiles to the PakistanArmy.  The Baktar Shikan missile, developed by the A Q Khan Laboratories,is replacing the American TOW missiles in the army's inventory.  The spareparts of TOW are no longer available under the Pressler Amendment.  The missile, like the TOW, is wire-guided and can be fired from jeep, armoredpersonnel carrier or helicopter.

The A.Q.  Khan Laboratories have also met the Pakistan Army's requirements for the Anza Mk-1 surface-to-air missiles, said the senior officials.  Now, they are producing the Anza MK-2, which the army has started inducting.

The A.Q.  Khan Laboratories have also sold Pakistani-made laser range finders to several countries, including Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, the Defense Science and Technology Organization (DESTO) is hoping to sell body scanners to Sri Lanka and Lebanon.  The non-metallic mine detector NMMD MK 3.1 detects non-metallic objects and plastic mines and, as such, is a useful tool in counter insurgency operations.

DESTO has also developed a rocket-assisted mortar bomb, called Glider, for the Pakistan Army, increasing its range from around 6,000-6,500 meters to 10,000-10,200 meters.

Apart from that, the organisation has produced several items for the Pakistan Navy.  These include bombette signal star, which is used by submarines for signaling.  The item in question, which was imported for Rs.  0.25 million, is now being produced by DESTO for only Rs.  14,000.

Moreover, DESTO is also making oxygen candles for the country's submarines.  The candle generates oxygen in an emergency.  Officials said the product in question was being produced for only Rs.  4,000 per unit and the navy had stopped paying Rs.  45,000 for its import.

DESTO has also started production of depth charge, SEA SURGE, an anti-submrine weapon used in shallow waters.  The depth charge can be dropped either from a fixed wing aircraft or a helicopter for costal defense.

DESTO is also producing tear gas shells for the Pakistan police, which were earlier imported at a cost of Rs.  400 million per annum.

The managing director of the Centre of Excellence at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, Wing Commander Changezi, asserted that his facility, boasting supercomputers, had no rival in Pakistan.  ``We can produce products which no other facility can come up in Pakistan,'' he said.

The official showed parts of the CFM-56 engine mounted on Boeing and Airbus aircraft, which his organization which offers both integrated and flexible manufacturing, had produced.  ``We can make any part of any aircraft, including the Space Shuttle,'' said Changezi.  The Centre will soon start production of the parts of its Atar-9C engine.
 


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