ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is self-sufficient in developing quality defence products and meeting requirements of its Armed Forces indigenously.
This was revealed by Senate Standing Committee on Defence Production Chairman Lt General (R) Abdul Qayyum while speaking at the APP Forum.
“Pakistan’s defence production quality is second to none in the world, which is evident from the fact that two AWACS aircraft damaged in a terrorist attack at the Kamra Airbase have been fully repaired at a minimum cost, whom the supplier had refused to maintain due to severity of the damage,” he said.
Abdul Qayyum, who also served as Chairman Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF), said prime responsibility of defence production departments was to fulfill needs of the country’s Armed Forces. However, the surplus capacity was being used to produce items for exports.
He said there was a lot of potential to increase defence productions’ exports whether they were JF-17 Thunder, Super Mushak, Military Trainer or AK8 aircraft, adding that the country was also self-sufficient in making good quality of small arms like mortar bombs, G-3 rifles, grenades, artillery and tank ammunition ranging from 200 pounds to 2500 pounds shots.
Answering a question about India’s arms deal with US, the ex-General said India was using the entire procured mechanized arms and attack-formations at Pakistan’s eastern border as the supply that contained tanks was useless in northern Himayalan Mountains and south Indian Ocean except along the border with Pakistan.
“We increased our tactical nuclear capability and attracted attention of the world which admitted that Pakistan is at number 3 in this capability after Russia and America,” he said. He said Pakistan’s nuclear capability was defensive having no offensive designs against any one rather it was for peace in the South Asian region. “The deal can be a big hurdle in the way of regional peace. We appeal to super powers that it will trigger an arms race and pose threats in the region.”
