Daily Times

States strive to achieve self-sufficiency in their defence inventory to reduce dependence and ensure territorial integrity and sovereignty. Pakistan has been faced with multiple challenges in traditional and non-traditional security imperatives. Hence, it has made efforts to overcome dependency on its defence needs.

Pakistan’s Defence Industry is making a valiant effort to meet the requirements of its armed forces in this fast-evolving and technologically advanced era. At the same time, it is trying to showcase its products to consumers across the globe. No industry can flourish by supplying arms and equipment to its consumers alone until it starts exporting it to friendly nations and earning the much-needed foreign exchange.

Realizing the significance of defence industry in Pakistan vis-à-vis security concerns for country’s territorial and ideological integrity, road to self-reliance was immediately realized by the leadership. Establishment of Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF)Wah in 1951 and Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works(KS&EW) in 1956, was a stepping stone in right direction. Later-on in early 1970s, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Heavy Industry (HIT) Taxila were added to this list. To stay abreast with the latest technological advancement especially in field of telecommunication equipment, electronic system and IT based solutions; National Radio Telecommunication Cooperations (NRTC) is another organization; making world class military communication, Border Security and surveillance, Jammers, IT & CS, Robotics and Electronic Warfare equipment’s. Another major step in the road to self-reliance is Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS); Pakistan’s premier state-owned defence conglomerate and one of thelargest defence manufacturing units and hub of core R&D activities in country; offering products for multifaceted military applications. Considering Pakistan’s export potential in filed of defence industry; Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) was established by the Government of Pakistan in 2000 as a facilitation agency aimed at promoting and coordinating the export of high-quality defense products and services. Its primary role is to assist both domestic and international customers in accessing Pakistan’s defense capabilities, which include a wide range of military equipment and technologies.

DEPO started organizing a biennial mega event, International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) of Pakistan, and the first edition of IDEAS was held in 2000, in Karachi with a modest strength of 65 national and international defence exhibitors. In last 24 years, IDEAS grew with each new edition as last 11th edition of IDEAS witnessed participation of more than 500 defence exhibitors including 300 plus international defence exhibitors. Since year 2000, IDEAS remains the pivotal platform for not showcasing Pakistan’s creativity and innovations in the defence industry, but also a successful platform for the international defence production powerhouses to showcase their arms and equipment on the occasion.

The 12th edition of IDEAS organized by Defence Export Promotion Organization under the patronage of Ministry of Defence Production will be held from 19 to 22 November 2024 at Expo Centre, Karachi. The event is likely to break all previous records of IDEAS in terms of space booked, no. of defence exhibitors participating as well as high level military and civil delegations from across the globe.

IDEAS do not only exhibit the arms and equipment but also provide opportunities for intellectual discourse. Academics and experts from around the world are invited to give their perspectives on the evolving regional and global security architecture, innovative approaches in the defence industry, and cooperative mechanisms among the major stakeholders. The forum serves as an excellent platform not only for marketing the products but also for networking new entrants in the field.

It is necessary to mention that defence production and itsmarketing not only ensure relative independence to maintain one’s inventory and earn the much-needed foreign exchange, but also provide opportunities for the locals with knowledge, skills, and confidence among the populace in general and the youth in particular. Therefore, it is important that a developing country like Pakistan continues to make efforts in the fields of defence-related research and development, production and marketing, training and skill development, and perhaps most importantly remain viable in this multi-billion-dollar defence acquisition and procurement industry in the region and beyond.

For this purpose, it is expected that the IDEAS-2024 will “serve as a bridge between defence industry entrepreneurs, traders, R&D specialists, financial experts, and policymakers for capability enhancement and cost-effective businesses.”

The writer of this article has authored three international books: “Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan” “South Asia Needs Hybrid Peace” and “Understanding Sun Tzu and the Art of Hybrid War” and can be reached at ziashamsi58@gmaol.com.