International defence expo kicks off in Karachi

Delegations of 48 countries, strategic partners to take part in show

KARACHI: Authorities have beefed up security to the optimal level ahead of the latest defence productions show – IDEAS 2018 'Arms for Peace' – set to kick off today (Tuesday)  as around 48 friendly countries and strategic partners, including Russia and the US, are going to increase their presence in the show.

"Security has already been beefed up to peak level, especially in surrounding areas of the Karachi Expo Centre, the IDEAS’ venue," Director Coordination Brigadier Waheed Mumtaz said while talking to journalists during the curtain-raiser of IDEAS 2018 on Saturday.

Armed forces and law enforcement agencies have taken foolproof security measures for the participants – including foreign governmental delegations participating at the four-day event to continue from November 27 till November 30.

Russia is set to increase its level of participation with two naval ships that would visit Karachi port during the show. "Moscow has increased its presence gradually. This time they are coming in bigger manner. Two Russian naval ships are to visit Pakistan for the first time in the history of IDEAS. That signifies the mutual desire to make this relationship flourish at all levels," he added.

To a question about the US participation in the backdrop of changing relationship, he said the US participation in IDEAS has not shrunk, it has rather grown.

“The US has different models of participation as sometimes its States Department represents itself. The US has authorised its big companies to represent (this time). A number of US companies are visiting."

Air Commodore Tahir Anwar, who looked after defence export, said 12-14 foreign countries exclusive pavilions are being set up at IDEAS 2018. The countries include China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Jordon, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine and USA.

Latest productions to be unveiled

Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) Director Media Commodore Tariq Mahmood said Pakistan’s defence industries are showcasing their latest productions.

“The Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) would unveil surveillance UAV BURRAQ, versatile surveillance UAV UGAB and aircraft combat monitoring and instrumentation system,” he said.

The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) would unveil Depth Charger, an anti-submarine warfare weapon; recoil force measurement system (FRMS) and Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) would unveil multipurpose infantry fighting vehicle (MIFV) – VIPER at the show.

DOUDSON would unveil its latest automatic grenade launcher.

IDEAS 2018 has surpassed all previous milestones in terms of space, booking, exhibitors and delegates both domestic and foreign.  The Karachi Expo Centre has been booked to its full capacity with 522 exhibitors from 50 countries.

Besides trade visitors, more than 262 high level delegations from 51 countries are visiting the exhibition. Chiefs of all the three armed forces – the Pakistan Army, the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) – would also participate.

The PAF and the Pakistan Navy are scheduled to present their professional skills at Karachi Sea View on November 29. This event named ‘Nishan-e-Pakistan’ would be opened for all the citizens.

The exhibition is also featured to perform ‘counter terrorism show’ by ground forces that was last organised for the participants in IDEAS 2008.

The show would explain to the world how Pakistan successfully fought terrorism. This would provide an opportunity to share with the world Pakistan’s experiences in the war against terrorism.

To make it a memorable event, the Pakistan Post Office would issue a special stamp ticket worth Rs10 on inaugural day of the exhibition.  "The exhibition would help Pakistan attract new buyers from the globe. The exhibition will be opened for the general public for one day on Nov 30,” he said.