Pakistan Defence Industry
 

Pakistan Defence Industry


At the time of Independence, there was hardly any industrial base in Pakistan, as all Ordnance factories were located in the areas which constitute India. As such, at the time of Independence and for some subsequent years, the entire requirements of the Armed Forces were met through purchases, mostly from UK. Defence Production activities in Pakistan started in 1951 with the establishment of Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) at WAH. Over the years the base of defence production has expanded manifold. Resultantly, after Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Heavy Industries Taxila, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and Directorate General of Munitions Production alongwith its R&D organizations were established under the umbrella of MoDP which are successfully producing defence oriented entities. The above Establishments of MoDP are not only meeting the requirements of our Armed Forces but are also exporting their products to friendly countries. Development/Production of Al-Khalid Tank, Al-Zarrar Tank, Agosta Submarine, Mushshak/Super-Mushshak Aircraft, JF-17 Aircraft, different variants of APCs and F-22P Frigates at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, with the collaboration of Chinese, are examples towards self-reliance in the field of defence production.
Introduction
To attain self-reliance in the field of defence production and to cater for the arms and ammunition needs of its Armed Forces, Pakistan had started its activities in 1951 by establishing an Ordnance Factory at WAH. There after, Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Directorate General of Munitions Production along with its R&D organizations were established to strengthen the objective. Ministry of Defence Production, created in 1972 as a Division of Ministry of Defence, is responsible for the policy, formulation of plans and coordination between procurement and development in the field of Defence Production. The Ministry is implementing a programme to achieve the following objectives:
A) To provide base for maximum self-reliance in production of Defence material.
B) To accelerate the pace of technological development to con temporary levels.
C) To identify, integrate and utilize the industrial potential available in public and private sector for production and procurement of Defence Stores and equipment.
D) To attain economy of scales through optimum production.
Minister for Defence Production heads the Ministry. A Parliamentary Secretary assists the Minister in maintaining close liaison with the National Assembly. The Secretary is responsible for the efficient administration and conduct of business of the Ministry as prescribed under the Rules of Business, 1973. The organizational structure of the Ministry is as under:
JS(DP)WING
The activities of these three wings for the period under review are reported as under:-JS (DP) Wing looks after the administrative and general matters not only of MODP but also of the DP Establishments. This wing also administers the civil budget of the Ministry. The Joint Appeals Committee headed by Secretary MoDP and constituted to consider appeals in the matters relating to contracts, is looked after by this Wing.
OSD-I Wing
In order to promote indigenous development of defence stores and achieve self-reliance, efforts are carried out through various R&D Organizations working under DGMP. This Wing coordinates defence projects, procurement and allocates budget to DP Establishments.
OSD-I Wing monitors the production activities of POFs, HIT and KS&EW based on the annual production targets assigned by the Services, especially the Army. In addition, OSD-I Wing also acts as secretariat for DGDP and DGMP for procurement, indigenous production and R&D matters.
OSD-II Wing
OSD-II Wing deals with international collaboration in defence equipment with various countries. In this regard various forums are established, meetings of which are held on regular basis.
OSD-II Wing also monitors the production activities of PAC Kamra based on the targets/requirements assigned by the Services, especially the PAF.
Details of some salient activities during the Year 1st July 2005 - 30th June 2006 are given below:
A) 4th Pak-Italy Joint Committee (JC) Meeting held at Rome, Italy from 25-29 July 2005.
B) Mid Year Review meeting of Pak-UK (DCF) meeting held in December 2005 in U.K.
C) A four member MoDP delegation led by the Secretary visited Germany from 10-13 April 2006.
D) Turkish Undersecretary of Defence Industries (SSM) visited Pakistan from 23-25 May 2006 with a large contingent from the Private Sector.
E) 8th Pak-UK (DCF) meeting on Defence Equipment Matte held in London, UK from 10-14 June 2006.
F) 4th Pak-Turkey (HLMDG) meeting held in Pakistan from 27-29 June 2006.
G) Six Monthly Review of US-Pakistan Defence Consultative Group (DCG) Security Assistance Working Group held in USA from 2-3 Aug 2005.
H) 3rd Meeting of the Joint Committee on Cooperation in Defence Technology and Industry between China and Pakistan held in Beijing from 16th– 19th Nov 2005.
I) Ninth Meeting of the Franco-Pakistani Armament Committee held in Paris (France) from 19-23 Dec 2005.
J) 6th Pak-Egypt MCC meeting held in Pakistan from 13th–15th Feb 2006.
K) 17th US-Pakistan Defence Consultative Group (DCG) Security Assistance Working Group held in USA from 1-5 May 2006.
L) 12th Meeting of Pakistan Jordan Defence Collaboration Committee (PJDCC) held in Jordan.
M) Signing of 1st Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan and South Korea on Defence Equipment Cooperation held in Pakistan from 10-13 May 2006.