Country's arms for peace and self-defence: Musharraf
KAMRA (March 22 2007): President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said Pakistan has no offensive designs against any other country and its armaments are for peace and self-defence. He was addressing a ceremony at Aeronautical Complex Kamra to mark the arrival of two JF-17 Thunder aircraft from China.
The aircraft have been jointly manufactured by Pakistan and China, and would later be inducted into Pakistan Air Force. The ceremony was attended by a delegation from China, Governors of NWFP and Balochistan and ministers, besides Chairman Chiefs of Joint Staff Committee and the Naval Chief.
President termed country's armed forces "fully equipped" to deal with any challenge, and said they would be provided with modern facilities to further strengthen the country's defence.
He said the armed forces have the potential in conventional and unconventional fields, adding it showed confidence that Pakistan was capable of meeting any challenge.
The President said Pakistan wanted to live in peace and harmony with other countries on the basis of honour and equality. He appreciated China for the cooperation it extended for the manufacture of JF-17 Thunder aircraft and said it was a landmark of the friendship between the two countries.
President Musharraf said arrival of JF-17 Thunder to Pakistan, which will participate in the Pakistan Day parade on March 23, was a landmark step in the history of the country and Pakistan Air Force.
The President said the PAF would be further equipped with latest and modern facilities and aircraft. He said BVR (beyond visual range) missile capability, AWACS, latest version of F-16 and FC-20 fighter planes, besides the facility of air-to-air refuelling system, would be introduced to the PAF.
Acknowledging the cooperation and assistance from China in the production of the most modern, light weight and low cost aircraft, the President said, "China is a great friend of Pakistan and has played a crucial role in the manufacturing of these aircraft and transfer of technology."
He also paid homage to former Air Chief Mushaf Ali Mir for taking personal interest in improving the strength of Air Force. The President urged the PAF to meet the targets of development and modernisation, particularly the production of JF-17 in Pakistan at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.
The President said he was very glad that the production of JF-17 Thunder would generate over 5,000 jobs, especially for the technical persons.
The President said JF-17 Thunder is a low cost fighter, therefore, it will reduce financial burden on the country.
Referring to self-reliance in defence production, he said Pakistan has been indigenously manufacturing and inducting a number of high-class defence equipment, including Al-Khalid tank, Al-Zarar tank, short and long range missiles, Augusta submarines, K-8 jets and now JF-17 Thunder aircraft. The President, appreciating the contribution and performance of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mahmud Ahmed, speaking on the occasion said it is a landmark achievement in the history of PAF as low cost and high tech aircraft JF-17 Thunder is being welcomed to Pakistan.
President AVIC Linzoumin, from China, representing Chinese government in the ceremony, appreciated Pak-Sino relations. Later, Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mahmud Ahmed presented a cap, PAF pilot jacket and a painting related to JF-17 Thunder to President Musharraf.
The President also inaugurated the construction of hanger facility for the JF-17 at the Kamra which was being constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
KAMRA (March 22 2007): President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said Pakistan has no offensive designs against any other country and its armaments are for peace and self-defence. He was addressing a ceremony at Aeronautical Complex Kamra to mark the arrival of two JF-17 Thunder aircraft from China.
The aircraft have been jointly manufactured by Pakistan and China, and would later be inducted into Pakistan Air Force. The ceremony was attended by a delegation from China, Governors of NWFP and Balochistan and ministers, besides Chairman Chiefs of Joint Staff Committee and the Naval Chief.
President termed country's armed forces "fully equipped" to deal with any challenge, and said they would be provided with modern facilities to further strengthen the country's defence.
He said the armed forces have the potential in conventional and unconventional fields, adding it showed confidence that Pakistan was capable of meeting any challenge.
The President said Pakistan wanted to live in peace and harmony with other countries on the basis of honour and equality. He appreciated China for the cooperation it extended for the manufacture of JF-17 Thunder aircraft and said it was a landmark of the friendship between the two countries.
President Musharraf said arrival of JF-17 Thunder to Pakistan, which will participate in the Pakistan Day parade on March 23, was a landmark step in the history of the country and Pakistan Air Force.
The President said the PAF would be further equipped with latest and modern facilities and aircraft. He said BVR (beyond visual range) missile capability, AWACS, latest version of F-16 and FC-20 fighter planes, besides the facility of air-to-air refuelling system, would be introduced to the PAF.
Acknowledging the cooperation and assistance from China in the production of the most modern, light weight and low cost aircraft, the President said, "China is a great friend of Pakistan and has played a crucial role in the manufacturing of these aircraft and transfer of technology."
He also paid homage to former Air Chief Mushaf Ali Mir for taking personal interest in improving the strength of Air Force. The President urged the PAF to meet the targets of development and modernisation, particularly the production of JF-17 in Pakistan at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.
The President said he was very glad that the production of JF-17 Thunder would generate over 5,000 jobs, especially for the technical persons.
The President said JF-17 Thunder is a low cost fighter, therefore, it will reduce financial burden on the country.
Referring to self-reliance in defence production, he said Pakistan has been indigenously manufacturing and inducting a number of high-class defence equipment, including Al-Khalid tank, Al-Zarar tank, short and long range missiles, Augusta submarines, K-8 jets and now JF-17 Thunder aircraft. The President, appreciating the contribution and performance of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mahmud Ahmed, speaking on the occasion said it is a landmark achievement in the history of PAF as low cost and high tech aircraft JF-17 Thunder is being welcomed to Pakistan.
President AVIC Linzoumin, from China, representing Chinese government in the ceremony, appreciated Pak-Sino relations. Later, Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mahmud Ahmed presented a cap, PAF pilot jacket and a painting related to JF-17 Thunder to President Musharraf.
The President also inaugurated the construction of hanger facility for the JF-17 at the Kamra which was being constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
