Pakistan’s seventh defence exhibition showcasing its military goods starts from Wednesday at the Karachi Expo Centre, with officials stating that the event is more about Islamabad’s determination to reassert its presence in the global arms and ammunition market, rather than sealing immediate deals.
To be held under a tight security cordon, the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2012 has drawn delegates from around the world, including 130 foreign firms, Commodore Siddiq Akbar, spokesperson for the Defence Export Promotion Organisation, said on the eve of the event.
“We are satisfied with the response so far, despite the fact that this is taking place after a gap of four years,” he said. “This event gives our own companies the opportunity to exhibit their products – something that is not easy when we go to similar exhibitions elsewhere.”
The organisers shied away from saying anything about the size of trade deals expected to be signed during the five-day event, but insisted that this is because of the peculiar nature of the business.
“Our job is to facilitate talks between exhibitors and delegates,” Commodore Akbar said. “So it is very hard to speculate on the figures of the business the buyers and firms do.”
Pakistan has put its prized Al-Khalid tank up for sale as well, just like it has been doing for quite some time now. The country has still not been able to export it though.
Director Coordination Brigadier Mazhar Mumtaz says it is not easy to sell tanks and aircraft. “The bigger the equipment is, the bigger the competition. But we are sure to get a breakthrough soon.”
Countries in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia are a potential market for Pakistani military goods, he said. “We are already exporting arms to many of the countries in these regions. It is important to realise that state-level communication and diplomatic linkages matter a lot in this trade.”
Military and civilian officials involved in international defence trade say Pakistan is continuously being sidelined because of its geopolitical situation.
“Saudi Arabia was about to buy Al-Khalid tanks from us. Everything was done; even the contract was ready, but the deal was called off at the last moment,” said a senior official who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to talk on the subject.
“Our technology is not as good as the Europeans and the US, but how many countries can make tanks, aircraft and air defence systems? The market is huge. It’s just that penetration into the buyers’ market needs strong political will.”
The Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) – an umbrella organisation that owns seven companies – makes everything from unmanned aircraft and command and control radar systems, to Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation Systems.
Sitting at the GIDS pavilion where missiles and high-tech surveillance cameras have been put on display, CEO Zubair Iqbal Malik says the organisation employs around 60,000 engineers, scientists and workers.
“Our aim is to become a completely self-sustained organization in the next few years,” he said, referring to the entity’s dependence on guaranteed business it receives from Pakistan’s armed forces. “GIDS was established in 2007 only, but we have been able to make our presence felt.”
GIDS’ annual revenue from exports stands at $3 million, according to Malik, without including sales made to Pakistan’s military. “It is improving. We used to receive four to five inquiries in a year: now we get 12 inquiries in a month. That’s an achievement.”
China and Turkey have also set up their own pavilions. Light and heavy machine guns made at the Pakistan Ordnance Factory are also up for grabs.
Traffic chaos
The roads around the Expo Centre have been closed for traffic for the event, and the blockage created bottlenecks in many other parts of the city as alternative routes choked within hours.
Despite police claims that elaborate arrangements have been made, people complained that traffic wardens were overwhelmed with the high flow of traffic following the multiple diversions.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2012.
COMMENTS (30)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
what are you doing for Karachi people?? you create traffic jam for just one defence expo exibation.. shame on you all... there are lot of people who is facing trouble to go home.. this exibation has been failed because of trubble people by traffic jamstrong text
what are you doing for Karachi people?? you create traffic jam for just one defence expo exibation.. shame on you all... there are lot of people who is facing trouble to go home.. this exibation has been failed because of trubble people by traffic jam
Very Nice Activity "Wapons for peace"
Good done by Pakistan Forces; MBT Khalid, JF-17 Russian, K8, etc I m proud on it. We can make cars and other heavy industries goods in our country if our industrialists’ also inaugurates such exhibitions. Be ashamed, heads of Steel mil PIA and Railways are you sleeping.
A J Khan?
Frontier medical college?
@A J Khan: 'aircraft, Missiles including ICBM, and BVRs, Tanks' Are you for real?
@A J Khan: what aircrafts? what ICBMs? what what? get your facts right
They should have organized the exhibition at some army base.
@BlackJack: I want to export them not import
Pakistan has a lot of capacity to improve has more of an exporter of rather than an importer, the problem with our country is that we have always had bad leadership on these venues due to which we have suffered a lot.
The Ideas Expo is a start from here we should start moving towards manufacturing more finished goods and trading it in the global market. My best wishes with the present expo, may it be a success.
The roads are blocked due to security reasons, there are lot of people out there who do not want this to happen
@Zubair: The guys who are making the tanks may be able to make cars too. You can import them.
Has TTP made any purchase yet?
I hope nuclear bums are not for sale there!
What PAKISTAN really can get out of this expo is to get to see what other compnaies manufacture & how we can develop technologies for our forces other than that they may sell few orders but nothing major will be happening. It still is encouraging that for us to host such events so we have a marketing experience so we create better image in the world.
i have to agree with hassan the only thing we do is import various stuffs and assemble it.case in point the MBT Khalid has engine imported from ukraine JF-17 Russian engine and westren avionics stop fooling the nation west have invested billions in their military industry research and we thing we can produce without any real actual research!!!!!
@hassan you should cry, not on these weapons but on your ignorance
This is a great display. Pakistan is an amazing nation, however derailed. If our energies are focused, we can do much better. The Armed Forces of Pakistan have done a wonderful job. They are struggling to move forward. They have to their credit development of armament industry which can fetch good amount of foreign exchange. As this market is flooded by sophisticated inventory and the competition is ruthless, our competitors would be using all type of defamatory tactics including cynical remarks that you see under this report too. Well-done Pakistan Armed Forces and Scientists. You are not only making aircraft, Missiles including ICBM, and BVRs, Tanks and ammunition, but are making us proud. God Be with You.
Its strange...we can build tanks but can't make cars...I think making tanks is more dificult than making cars...why cant we launch our own brand of transport vehicles. This way we can make money and contribute in making the world a peaceful place.
“Saudi Arabia was about to buy Al-Khalid tanks from us. Everything was done; even the contract was ready, but the deal was called off at the last moment,” said a senior official who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to talk on the subject.
Then you shouldnt be talking about it !!
@hasan: Its not only British PM selling arms but many countries have started wars in other countries to sell their arms & products. These days every thing in made in China due to lower cost be it Apple Nokia. People like to upgrade or change stuff after few years so why to buy expensive things which become tech obsolete after few years. DEPO should also sell obsolete and inactive stores held by military
Roads blocked, traffic jammed just for this exhibition. Rubbish...
@hasan Please keep your haterd to your self and do your research first there is a thing called Pakistan ordinance factory!
@hasan: Please don't laugh, one doesn't look good laughing at one's ownself. You are utterly wrong in make of our stuff, a lot is made here, our engineers have done tremendously. You are only fooling yourself by such assertions.
@hasan: Please do't laugh, one doesn't look good laughing at one's ownself. You are utterly wrong in make of our stuff, a lot is made here, our engineers have done tremendously. You are only fooling yourself by such assertions.
@hasan: not actually. many are made in pakistan and even designed in pak
should I laugh.... 100% of our stuff are chinese made, and we are repainting them and fooling the poor african nations.. along with the chinese who also have set up a shop..... this is so funny...
Great news, British PM is/was in Saudi to sell weapons, its a huge market. We can do it INSHALLAH