January 29, 2014
RECORDER REPORT
Ministry of Defence Productions told Senate Standing Committee on Defence Productions that Pakistan wasted Rs 79 million foreign exchange on weapons import that could be produced domestically. The officials of Ministry of Defence Productions revealed that Pakistan could have saved the foreign exchange by manufacturing the weapons in the country which are being used by law enforcement agencies against terrorists, as six to eight months are required to manufacture these weapons.
They further informed the committee that the amount released under the CSF arrangement is utilised for logistic support of the military and it makes no difference if it is suspended. Heads of Pakistan Ordinance Factory, Wah, Heavy Industries Texila, Aeronautical Complex Kamra and Karachi Shipyard briefed the committee regarding production, capacity, new technology and research facilities in their respective organisations.
The committee was informed that Pakistan has the capacity to manufacture 50 tanks annually. The country is also manufacturing three hundreds 'Khalid Tanks' and 1598 tank guns and 100 APCs. The committee was also informed that Ministry of Defence Production received new offer from China for up-gradation of the 'Al-Khalid Tanks'. An agreement between Pakistan and China has been signed for initially up-gradation of 110 'Al-Khalid Tanks', however, the project is at slow pace due to shortage of funds. The officials of ministry of productions revealed that the ministry required Rs 80 million annually for re-building the JF-17s.
The Ministry urged the committee to ask the government to lift ban on recruitments in various sub-departments and attaché departments of the ministries against the vacant posts. The Defence Production Ministry delivered 'Talah Tanks' to Sindh and Punjab police to counter terrorists. A total of 332 light vehicles with complete security features were manufactured, besides manufacturing additional 10000 bullet proof jackets for the use of law enforcement personnel.
The official claimed that the US APC model was obsolete, but in Pakistan it has been rebuilt with modern look. IPS, APC and Bunkers were exported to Iraq and earned huge foreign exchange. Currently, the sub-department of ministry is manufacturing various items-revolvers to fighter jets which have been not only supplied within country, but also exported to 48 foreign countries.
The committee was also informed that there is no restriction on the sale of products manufactured by country's production unit in open markets in USA and Europe etc. The task of overhauling F-6 has been completed. Pakistan has the capacity to manufacture F-7, F-8, Y-12, FT-6 and Cobera Helicopters in the country. The meeting of the committee was chaired by Dr Saeeda Iqbal.
Rs 79 million wasted on weapons import instead of local production: Senate body told | Business Recorder
RECORDER REPORT
Ministry of Defence Productions told Senate Standing Committee on Defence Productions that Pakistan wasted Rs 79 million foreign exchange on weapons import that could be produced domestically. The officials of Ministry of Defence Productions revealed that Pakistan could have saved the foreign exchange by manufacturing the weapons in the country which are being used by law enforcement agencies against terrorists, as six to eight months are required to manufacture these weapons.
They further informed the committee that the amount released under the CSF arrangement is utilised for logistic support of the military and it makes no difference if it is suspended. Heads of Pakistan Ordinance Factory, Wah, Heavy Industries Texila, Aeronautical Complex Kamra and Karachi Shipyard briefed the committee regarding production, capacity, new technology and research facilities in their respective organisations.
The committee was informed that Pakistan has the capacity to manufacture 50 tanks annually. The country is also manufacturing three hundreds 'Khalid Tanks' and 1598 tank guns and 100 APCs. The committee was also informed that Ministry of Defence Production received new offer from China for up-gradation of the 'Al-Khalid Tanks'. An agreement between Pakistan and China has been signed for initially up-gradation of 110 'Al-Khalid Tanks', however, the project is at slow pace due to shortage of funds. The officials of ministry of productions revealed that the ministry required Rs 80 million annually for re-building the JF-17s.
The Ministry urged the committee to ask the government to lift ban on recruitments in various sub-departments and attaché departments of the ministries against the vacant posts. The Defence Production Ministry delivered 'Talah Tanks' to Sindh and Punjab police to counter terrorists. A total of 332 light vehicles with complete security features were manufactured, besides manufacturing additional 10000 bullet proof jackets for the use of law enforcement personnel.
The official claimed that the US APC model was obsolete, but in Pakistan it has been rebuilt with modern look. IPS, APC and Bunkers were exported to Iraq and earned huge foreign exchange. Currently, the sub-department of ministry is manufacturing various items-revolvers to fighter jets which have been not only supplied within country, but also exported to 48 foreign countries.
The committee was also informed that there is no restriction on the sale of products manufactured by country's production unit in open markets in USA and Europe etc. The task of overhauling F-6 has been completed. Pakistan has the capacity to manufacture F-7, F-8, Y-12, FT-6 and Cobera Helicopters in the country. The meeting of the committee was chaired by Dr Saeeda Iqbal.
Rs 79 million wasted on weapons import instead of local production: Senate body told | Business Recorder
Some newfangled 6th generation choppers? 
