ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Chairman Lt. Gen. Muhammad Ahsan Mehmood has said that in the past the POF fulfilled the requirements of Pakistan Army only, but now it has meeting the needs of other civil forces and law-enforcing agencies.
“Current export by POF is around US$ 20 million per annum, with exports to 40 countries, he informed a group of journalists who visited POF.
The Chairman, while discussing new developments in ammunition and weapons, such as new sniper rifle being produced by POF, stated that in the past, POF used to import such weaponry but better quality ammunition was being manufactured.
We shall be seeing new developments and products in the 2014 IDEAS exhibition in Karachi, he added.
Responding to a question, the Chairman said that the modern weapons produced by POF has made possible to target the terrorists that take refuge in caves and buildings than ever before. The journalists were also briefed regarding the mortar bombs, small arms, artillery ammunition, tank and anti tank ammo and other defense weaponry.
Lt Gen. Ahsan commented on IDEAS 2014 and the Industry Summit, Security
Outlook 2025 saying that it was a good platform for defence industry to showcase their capabilities and share new developments with friendly countries. On the occasion, the contribution by SASSI University was also acknowledged.
Later, the group of journalists visited Heavy Industries Taxila where they were given a guided tour of the tank-rebuilding factory. While briefing them , Brig Sanaullah said that HIT planed to rid
Pakistan of foreign dependence in the defence industry, adding that HIT stood with its motto of strength through self reliance. He was of the view that there were continuous upgrades in infrastructure and production capabilities.
He announced that the Al-Khalid-1 Tank was expected to rollout in the end of 2015, which was said to be a much superior tank compared to Al-Khalid, HIT’s main battle tank.