ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will export 100 trainer jets (Mushshaq) to the brotherly country Turkey in next two years, Standing Committee of Senate on Defence Production Chairman Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qayyum, here on Tuesday said.
This is for the first time after joining the aircraft manufacturing club, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) would export such a high number of aircraft to any other nation. Talking to APP, he congratulated the nation that its aircraft manufacturing has received acclaims by the international community which helped the country to manage supply order for export of aircraft in such a sizeable number.
He said that PAC had developed the repair technology of Swedish aircraft – SAAB – as it had recently repaired two reconnaissance aircraft at Pakistan Air Force’s inventory. These aircraft were damaged during terrorist’s attack on Kamra Air Base. He said that indigenous repair of these aircraft helped country save huge amount on account of foreign exchange.
He said that PAC has brought improvements in production process of JF-17 thunder with the help of China. Expressing his satisfaction on the performance of Ministry of Defence Production he said that it has been focusing on indigenization of the major requirements of the armed forces of the country with special regard to arms and ammunition sector. “The shortfalls in various sections were also being overcome by adopting modern techniques by the defence production industry,” he said.
He said that the defence production sector of the country was properly being taken care of besides providing necessary funds so that it may be able to export its surplus production. Qayyum said that committee has urged the provincial governments for purchasing security equipments like bullet proof materials, riffles and other safety gadgets from Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) instead of importing from other countries.
Answering a question, he said that ties between Pakistan and Russia were improving which would go a long way in achieving lasting peace in the region. The chairman said that Pakistan has extended offer to Russia to utilize Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (CPEC) for carrying out business and trade activity for the betterment of the entire region.
He said that Russia had recently given four MI-35 Helicopters to Pakistan which was a sign of improving bilateral relations. Gen Qayyum said that the committee has recommended that the coin of Rs 10 denomination be got manufactured from POF which had already attained the capability of manufacturing of coins.
He said that the committee has directed Defence Export Division to brief the committee regarding the preparation of the holding of International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS-16) is to be held in November in Karachi.
