The Spirit Of Self Reliance
Contributing Editor Air Marshal (Retd) Ayaz Ahmed Khan emphasises the need to build the sprit of self - reliance and point to GHAURI as an excellent example
Contributing Editor Air Marshal (Retd) Ayaz Ahmed Khan emphasises the need to build the sprit of self - reliance and point to GHAURI as an excellent example
The spirit of self reliance can best be described as the urge for freedom and the passion for true liberty and unhindered freedom. When Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif in his address at the National Defence College proudly announced the successful test firing of the 1500-Km IRBM Ghauri by a team of Pakistani scientist and engineers headed by nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, the entire Pakistani was electrified by the confidence that we can do it. Threatened by Indian conventional nuclear and missile forces, and debarred from weapons and military equipment procurement and purchases from Western countries, especially from the United States, Pakistan has no alternate except to rely on its own capabilities to defend its sovereignty. The feat of our brilliant scientists at this stage is a high technology demonstrator and would require more tests and further development before it becomes an operational weapon delivery platform with the Pakistan Air Force. With the Bharati Prithvi I’s and II’s menacingly deployed, and IRBM Agni being developed on a priority basis, and the Indian Air Force being reinforced with SU-30K’s and LCA’s, Pakistan had become vulnerable to Indian nuclear and conventional aggression. It had become vital therefore to acquire tactical and intermediate range missile capability, to confront Indian bellicosity and deter aggression. Ghauri is certainly A. Q. Khan’s and Nawaz Sharif’s Eid gift to the Pakistani nation. The Prime Minister has repeatedly expressed grave concern over BJP governments intention to develop nuclear weapons. BJP government’s agenda to keep the nuclear weapon option open is indicative of aggressively hegemonistic policy, which has triggered the missile race in South Asia. By the successful test firing of IRBM Ghauri Pakistan’s indigenous missile development plan and programme is back on track. It will have to be properly funded and pursued vigorously to enable series production of Ghauri and other SSM’s. The government and the Pakistani scientist community have remained steadfast and undeterred in the face of foreign pressure, US disapproval and threats. The government and the team of scientists led by Dr A. Q Khan have earned the gratitude of the entire nation for infusing the much desired spirit of self-reliance. Self reliance should be our national slogan and not a political catch-word. Pakistan is a threatened state. Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, BJP governments agenda of military expansion and nuclear option, when seen in the light of the prevailing fiscal crisis, requires that we tighten our belts, stand on our own feet and work hard. US discrimination, ie Pressler amendment and withholding of 28 F-16 fighters and US $ 658 has adversely impacted on national security. It is through the adoption of self-reliance as a fundamental pillar of national policy, that we could attain economic salvation and national security.
In the past the wayward political leadership has trumpeted self -reliance for political mileage only. Successive governments failed to formulate concrete self reliance strategy, and did not adopt long or short term policy to encourage self reliance in the public or private sectors. Both domestically and globally Pakistani products have yet to gain acceptance for their quality and worthiness. Massive smuggling, dumping, high duties and taxes on local manufactures, harassment of entrepreneurs, corruption, and red tape have nearly killed the spirit and urge for self reliance. The exorbitant cost of imported capital goods, weapons and equipment for the armed forces have drained our resources, and exhausted our ability to sustain our defence capability. Besides the glut of smuggled items, the proliferation of Bara-markets promoting unchecked smuggling and import of wheat, sugar, edible oil, tea, and even vegetables has caused our economy to nose dive into the dangerous situation of near insolvency, fiscal distress and destitution. That we cannot make our ends meet, are unable to make even our own roads, and get them made at exorbitant cost by foreign contractors is evidence enough of the mental paralysis of our leaders. Political leaders have yet to set an example to prove that they want Pakistan to stand on its own feet.
The light at the end of the tunnel is the dedication and commitment of our scientists, engineers and technicians: and the strong urge in the armed forces to fight future battles with made in Pakistan weapons. The proceedings of the 51st Formation Commanders Conference had highlighted self-reliance and modernization efforts of Pakistan Army. It became clear that efforts to indigenize different weapon systems and modernization has been given top priority by the Army leadership. The progress made in the in-country manufacture of main battle tanks and APC’s was satisfactorily noted. During the course of several technical briefings it transpired that some of the major modernization projects of the Army include enhanced production of armoured personnel carriers ie APC’s, rebuilding and updating of T-59 tanks, and serial production of Pak made MBT 2000 Al-Khalid. The decision to manufacture AL-Khalid was taken in 1991. At the Al-Khalid project launching ceremony attended by Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, the then COAS General Mirza Aslam Beg had declared that this Pak made MBT will be produced in the near future. During the last nine years the Al-Khalid project has seen many ups and downs. It was shelved by General Asef Nawaz, after realizing that it will take decades before it would role out for operational service. Purchase of 320 Ukranian T-80 UD tanks, had put brakes on the much needed priority which should have been accorded to the Al-Khalid. This project has resurrected by the Nawaz Sharif Government, and series production of Al-Khalid is expected to start by mid 1999. A prototype of the Al-Khalid MBT was inspected by the formation commanders. Parliaments standing Committee on Defence headed by Colonel Ghulam Sarwar Cheema should regularly monitor the progress of Al-Khalid and help remove any hurdles that may delay its series production. Locally designed armoured command vehicles and armoured fighting vehicles are also expected to enter Army service in the coming months. The extensive indigenization programmes of Pakistan Army will not only cut costs on expensive imports, but will make the Army self reliant, and ensure uninterrupted supplies of equipment and weapons and spares.
Pakistan Air Force has also reviewed its self reliance policy options. At a recent Engineering Symposium the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Pervaiz Mehdi Qureshi said that the PAF has made substantial progress in the domain of self-reliance. The steps initiated to streamline the on-going self-reliance efforts needed greater urgency because of the imperatives of national security and economic constraints. He stressed that Time has come for the PAF to evolve a well chalked out policy, supported by a long term strategy for attaining a significant degree of independence in the vital dimension of defence production. This resolve of the PAF Chief of the Air Staff has helped in substantial savings in foreign exchange. And it is due to PAF’s self reliance effort that its high technology weapon systems have been maintained at optimum serviceability and reliability. While stressing enhanced self -reliance effort the Air Chief cautioned that, We must critically examine the indigenization programmes of other countries, including our neighbour India. We should judiciously study all aspects related to the subject, because defence projects entail considerable investment, and therefore demand serious scrutiny. In view of our limited resources we have to proceed with care.
The Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Engineering) had earlier in his opening address stated that the focus of the seminar was indigenization. This theme never had greater relevance than these days of severe economic constraints and acute paucity of funds. Indigenous capability is already fortifying the life cycle support of our weapon systems. But the need of the hour is to take-up indigenization scientifically, i.e. formulate a doctrine to set realistic goals and targets, and even take calculated risks. Deletion targets must be set at the time of induction of new weapon systems and not at the tail end of its service life.
In his concluding address DCAS (Eng) said that besides the local industry which is helping PAF’s self reliance effort, at depot level important decisions are taken to develop alternate components, without assistance from component manufacturers. And this has kept even our vintage weapon systems in good operational state. Self reliance efforts at PAC Kamra and of the public and private sectors have created a potential for greater self reliance efforts. Using the talents of PAF engineers and technicians and capabilities of the civil industry, refuellers, ground power units, rapid runway repair equipment is being made indigenously. The K-8 co-production project forms the basis on which the pillars of our aviation industry will rest. Useful experience has been gained from the K-8 jet trainer project which will help in smooth progress of the Super -7 fighter project. The CPD Super -7 fighter project will be a leap forward in the field of high tech aviation self reliance. Experience already gained has given the confidence that the Super - 7 fighter project will succeed as planned.
In the past the wayward political leadership has trumpeted self -reliance for political mileage only. Successive governments failed to formulate concrete self reliance strategy, and did not adopt long or short term policy to encourage self reliance in the public or private sectors. Both domestically and globally Pakistani products have yet to gain acceptance for their quality and worthiness. Massive smuggling, dumping, high duties and taxes on local manufactures, harassment of entrepreneurs, corruption, and red tape have nearly killed the spirit and urge for self reliance. The exorbitant cost of imported capital goods, weapons and equipment for the armed forces have drained our resources, and exhausted our ability to sustain our defence capability. Besides the glut of smuggled items, the proliferation of Bara-markets promoting unchecked smuggling and import of wheat, sugar, edible oil, tea, and even vegetables has caused our economy to nose dive into the dangerous situation of near insolvency, fiscal distress and destitution. That we cannot make our ends meet, are unable to make even our own roads, and get them made at exorbitant cost by foreign contractors is evidence enough of the mental paralysis of our leaders. Political leaders have yet to set an example to prove that they want Pakistan to stand on its own feet.
The light at the end of the tunnel is the dedication and commitment of our scientists, engineers and technicians: and the strong urge in the armed forces to fight future battles with made in Pakistan weapons. The proceedings of the 51st Formation Commanders Conference had highlighted self-reliance and modernization efforts of Pakistan Army. It became clear that efforts to indigenize different weapon systems and modernization has been given top priority by the Army leadership. The progress made in the in-country manufacture of main battle tanks and APC’s was satisfactorily noted. During the course of several technical briefings it transpired that some of the major modernization projects of the Army include enhanced production of armoured personnel carriers ie APC’s, rebuilding and updating of T-59 tanks, and serial production of Pak made MBT 2000 Al-Khalid. The decision to manufacture AL-Khalid was taken in 1991. At the Al-Khalid project launching ceremony attended by Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, the then COAS General Mirza Aslam Beg had declared that this Pak made MBT will be produced in the near future. During the last nine years the Al-Khalid project has seen many ups and downs. It was shelved by General Asef Nawaz, after realizing that it will take decades before it would role out for operational service. Purchase of 320 Ukranian T-80 UD tanks, had put brakes on the much needed priority which should have been accorded to the Al-Khalid. This project has resurrected by the Nawaz Sharif Government, and series production of Al-Khalid is expected to start by mid 1999. A prototype of the Al-Khalid MBT was inspected by the formation commanders. Parliaments standing Committee on Defence headed by Colonel Ghulam Sarwar Cheema should regularly monitor the progress of Al-Khalid and help remove any hurdles that may delay its series production. Locally designed armoured command vehicles and armoured fighting vehicles are also expected to enter Army service in the coming months. The extensive indigenization programmes of Pakistan Army will not only cut costs on expensive imports, but will make the Army self reliant, and ensure uninterrupted supplies of equipment and weapons and spares.
Pakistan Air Force has also reviewed its self reliance policy options. At a recent Engineering Symposium the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Pervaiz Mehdi Qureshi said that the PAF has made substantial progress in the domain of self-reliance. The steps initiated to streamline the on-going self-reliance efforts needed greater urgency because of the imperatives of national security and economic constraints. He stressed that Time has come for the PAF to evolve a well chalked out policy, supported by a long term strategy for attaining a significant degree of independence in the vital dimension of defence production. This resolve of the PAF Chief of the Air Staff has helped in substantial savings in foreign exchange. And it is due to PAF’s self reliance effort that its high technology weapon systems have been maintained at optimum serviceability and reliability. While stressing enhanced self -reliance effort the Air Chief cautioned that, We must critically examine the indigenization programmes of other countries, including our neighbour India. We should judiciously study all aspects related to the subject, because defence projects entail considerable investment, and therefore demand serious scrutiny. In view of our limited resources we have to proceed with care.
The Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Engineering) had earlier in his opening address stated that the focus of the seminar was indigenization. This theme never had greater relevance than these days of severe economic constraints and acute paucity of funds. Indigenous capability is already fortifying the life cycle support of our weapon systems. But the need of the hour is to take-up indigenization scientifically, i.e. formulate a doctrine to set realistic goals and targets, and even take calculated risks. Deletion targets must be set at the time of induction of new weapon systems and not at the tail end of its service life.
In his concluding address DCAS (Eng) said that besides the local industry which is helping PAF’s self reliance effort, at depot level important decisions are taken to develop alternate components, without assistance from component manufacturers. And this has kept even our vintage weapon systems in good operational state. Self reliance efforts at PAC Kamra and of the public and private sectors have created a potential for greater self reliance efforts. Using the talents of PAF engineers and technicians and capabilities of the civil industry, refuellers, ground power units, rapid runway repair equipment is being made indigenously. The K-8 co-production project forms the basis on which the pillars of our aviation industry will rest. Useful experience has been gained from the K-8 jet trainer project which will help in smooth progress of the Super -7 fighter project. The CPD Super -7 fighter project will be a leap forward in the field of high tech aviation self reliance. Experience already gained has given the confidence that the Super - 7 fighter project will succeed as planned.
