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| JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft |
By Usman Ansari
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) unveiled a new exhibition center showcasing defense products from the country's public and private sectors in the presence of Defence Production Minister Tanveer Hussain, foreign diplomats and defense officials as part of efforts to increase exports.
Tanveer told guests that Pakistani defense products were internationally competitive, citing the Sino-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder as an example. While stating the government was encouraging defense production to further widen economic development, he highlighted the necessity of using the latest technology.
Increased export efforts have been underway for some time. Already experiencing some success has been state-owned conglomerate Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), a producer of small arms, ammunition and explosives.
During a Monday visit to POF by the Senate Standing Committee on Defence Production, it was revealed that the company that already exports to more than 30 countries had set an export target of over US$100 million this year, its highest ever.
However, committee Chairman Abdul Qayyum highlighted that there is a need to ensure regular recruitment of skilled manpower, modernization of plants and an increased funds for research and development.
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