Pakistani Arms Industry
Encyclopedia
Pakistani Arms Industry, the Ministry of Defence Production, was created in September 1991 to promote and coordinate the patchwork of military production facilities that have developed since independence. The ministry also includes seven other specialized organizations devoted to research and development, production, and administration.
The navy is supported mainly by a facility at the Karachi Shipyard, which has limited production capacity. In 1987 development of a submarine repair and rebuild facility at Port Qasim was begun. By early 2000, in a joint project with China led to the development of the JF-17 Thunder fighter and the Al-Khalid Tank. Pakistan also has taken major steps to becoming self-sufficient in aircraft overhaul, modernization and tank and helicopter sales and a transfer of technology with France led to the construction of the Agosta B-90 Submarine in the late 1990s and early 2000s and is currently actively participating in many joint production projects such as Al Khalid 2, advance trainer aircraft, combat aircraft, navy ships and submarines.
After the success of its major developments in the defence industry the Defence Export Promotion Organisation (D.E.P.O.) was created to promote Pakistani defence equipment to the world by inviting major and small players to the I.D.E.A.S. Exhibition, which is held annually at the Karachi expo center. In recent reports, the defence exports were worth over $500 million USD in 2006 and growing annually.
The navy is supported mainly by a facility at the Karachi Shipyard, which has limited production capacity. In 1987 development of a submarine repair and rebuild facility at Port Qasim was begun. By early 2000, in a joint project with China led to the development of the JF-17 Thunder fighter and the Al-Khalid Tank. Pakistan also has taken major steps to becoming self-sufficient in aircraft overhaul, modernization and tank and helicopter sales and a transfer of technology with France led to the construction of the Agosta B-90 Submarine in the late 1990s and early 2000s and is currently actively participating in many joint production projects such as Al Khalid 2, advance trainer aircraft, combat aircraft, navy ships and submarines.
After the success of its major developments in the defence industry the Defence Export Promotion Organisation (D.E.P.O.) was created to promote Pakistani defence equipment to the world by inviting major and small players to the I.D.E.A.S. Exhibition, which is held annually at the Karachi expo center. In recent reports, the defence exports were worth over $500 million USD in 2006 and growing annually.
State-owned organisations
- Air Weapons Complex (AWC) — development and production of various airborne weapon systems and avionicsAvionicsAvionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
. - Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT)Heavy Industries TaxilaHeavy Industries Taxila is the backbone of Pakistan's engineering industry for the Pakistan Armed Forces, being a combination of multiple industries that has grown into a large military complex since 1980. It consists of six major production units and their support facilities, staffed by over 6500...
— maintenance, overhaul, modernisation, development and production of armoured vehicles including main battle tankMain battle tankA main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
s, self-propelled artillerySelf-propelled artillerySelf-propelled artillery vehicles are combat vehicles armed with artillery. Within the term are covered self-propelled guns and rocket artillery...
, armoured personnel carriers and armoured cars. - Kahuta Research LaboratoriesKahuta Research LaboratoriesThe Khan Research Laboratories ,, formerly known as Engineering Research Laboratories , is a multi-program Pakistan's weapons science and engineering research and development institute and nuclear research facility...
- Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW)Karachi ShipyardThe Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited , is Situated at West Wharf in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.Karachi Shipyard is the oldest Heavy Engineering Works of Pakistan which is catering for its Ship Building, Ship Repairing, Submarine/Warship Construction and Heavy/General Engineering...
— production of civilian and naval vessels, including surface warships and submarines. - National Defence Complex (NDC)National Defence ComplexThe National Development Complex , is an aerospace and defense agency of the Ministry of Defence of Government of Pakistan, located in Fateh Jang, Punjab Province of Pakistan. The NDC was founded in 1990 by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission chairman, Mr...
— development and production of tactical and strategic ballistic missiles for the Pakistani military. - National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM)National Engineering and Scientific CommissionNational Engineering and Scientific Commission is a civilian controlled Pakistani scientific and research organization carrying out research in many engineering and scientific areas including information technology, fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering,...
- Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)Pakistan Aeronautical ComplexThe Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is a facility used to service, assemble and manufacture aircraft for the Pakistani Armed Forces...
— maintenance and overhaul of various aircraft, production of aircraft and components. - Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF)Pakistan Ordnance FactoriesPakistan Ordnance Factories was founded in 1951 with the primary objective of producing arms and ammunition for the armed forces of Pakistan...
— production of various ammunition types, small arms and explosives.
Private organisations
- SATUMASATUMASATUMA is a privately owned designer and manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles based in Islamabad, Pakistan...
— design and production of various unmanned aerial vehicleUnmanned aerial vehicleAn unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
s for sale to domestic and foreign customers. - Integrated Defence Systems — design and production of various unmanned aerial vehicleUnmanned aerial vehicleAn unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
s for sale to foreign customers.