Cutting-edge defence tech goes on display

The 12th edition of defence accessories exhibition - IDEAS 2024 - kicked off on Tuesday at Karachi Expo Centre after a grand inauguration ceremony attended by Federal Minister for Defence Production Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

IDEAS 2024 surpassed all previous milestones in terms of space, booking, exhibitors and domestic and foreign delegates. Karachi Expo Centre has been booked to its full capacity with participation of more than 560 defence equipment exhibitors from 41 countries, including Turkey, China, Iran, UK, North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Far East. Besides trade visitors, more than 350 high level delegations from 55 countries are visiting the exhibition.

During his inaugural address, the defence minister said Pakistan offers enormous opportunities for profitable investments, joint ventures and trade in all sectors, including the defence industry. IDEAS serves as a regional gateway for international manufacturers and suppliers to explore new avenues of defence cooperation through joint ventures, outsourcing and collaboration. He said technologies are playing a vital role in confronting modern day security challenges, and its responsible use can make the world a better and safer place.

Pakistan, being a responsible state, is always committed to playing its role for international peace, stability and order. Reciprocity, mutual interests and international norms are the guiding principles that govern Pakistan's relations at the bilateral and multilateral levels, Khawaja Asif highlighted. He maintained that the government of Pakistan always believes in meaningful dialogue on the basis of equality not only to resolve bilateral issues but also to give chance to peace and harmony in the region. "At our end, we in collaboration with our partners are steadfast to this unflinching commitment for peace and stability in the world," said the defence minister.

He pointed out that Pakistan's defence industry has now reached the threshold of quality and reliability wherein its products are competing in the international defence market. However, to further excel in this domain there is a need of academia – industry interface, integration of public - private defence industry and involvement of R&D organizations in defence manufacturing sector of Pakistan.

Pakistan has the potential to emerge as a global platform for defence research, scientific growth, manufacturing and joint ventures in order to strengthen defence capabilities and spur developments as well as exports in this sector, said Asif.

Earlier during his welcome address, Major General Asad Nawaz Khan HI(M), DG DEPO welcomed the visiting delegates, foreign and domestic exhibitors, OEMs, trade visitors and participants of IDEAS 2024.

Federal Minister during the visit of exhibition halls lauded the participation of academia and defence industry under one roof. He appreciated that participation of startups by NUST, PMSTAP and NASTP will hone the skills of young entrepreneurs by having interaction with foreign and national defence exhibitors.

International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is a mega regional event; biennially organized by Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) in Pakistan. Since its inception in the year 2000, IDEAS has emerged as an international rendezvous for defence manufacturers, entrepreneurs, R&D specialists, financial experts and top level policy makers to promote cooperation, knowledge sharing and support ventures in the field of defence collaboration. Indeed, IDEAS is an event that brings together the global defence industry for synergistic businesses and cooperation.

The exhibition will continue till Friday.