IDEAS 2014 Exhibition set to blow you away
By
Our Correspondent
Pakistani officials make final preparations on the exhibition floor for the International Defence Exhibition and seminar (IDEAS) in Karachi on November 29, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: In what is expected to be one of the most anticipated and sought-after events in Pakistan this year, the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2014 is set to kick off this Monday. Additionally, first-time participant Russia will also be contributing to the fair.
Around 333 defence equipment makers are coming to the eighth edition of IDEAS, including 77 Pakistani firms, said Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO) Media Director Commodore Tahir Javed.
“Eighty eight delegations, including 30 headed by high level officials including defence ministers, joint chiefs and services chiefs, have confirmed participation,” he said in a news briefing ahead of the formal inauguration.
The four-day exhibition will take place side by side a seminar where military and civilian security experts will read papers focusing on terrorism related challenges faced by many countries.
“We are more than satisfied by the response from every participating region,” Commodore Javed said.
Pakistan will feature its usual heavy weaponry including Al-Khalid tank, JF Thunder fighter aircraft and a broad range of assault and communication equipment.
DEPO Director Coordination Brigadier Mazhar Mumtaz said the success of the exhibition should not be judged from the variety and kind of weapons and equipment put on sale by Pakistan. “Our purpose was to engage different countries and we have succeeded in doing that. As far as the equipment is concerned, the question remains who can compete on both quality and cost.”
While Pakistan already exports guns, ammunition, artillery and communication and surveillance devices, its heavy equipment including JF17 jets are also in demand.
“We are negotiating deals for JF Thunders with a few countries,” Mumtaz said.
Pressed to share details about the defence contracts, which have been secured up till now because of past exhibitions, he said that multiple deals have matured, some for as much as $10 million worth of equipment.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2014.
IDEAS 2014 set to blow you away – The Express Tribune