KARACHI; Nov 16,2022: The International Defense Exhibition and Seminar IDEAS-2022 is ongoing in Karachi. Today is the second day. The defence exhibition will continue till November 18. Organized by the Defense Export Promotion Organization, the exhibition brings together defense industries from around the world to showcase their latest technological innovations. More than 500 participants from 57 countries and 285 delegations from 64 countries are participating in the defense exhibition. Defense manufacturers from Turkey, China, US, UK, EU, the Middle East and Central Asia are exhibiting their products at the 11th edition of the expo.
The expo is also showcasing Pakistan’s advanced military hardware, including Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Air Defense Systems, Missile Systems, Tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs). However, at Ideas 2022, the ‘Pride of Pakistan’ JF-17 Thunder fighter jet is the focus of the exhibition, and the tail of India’s Mig-2 Bison fighter jet at Ideas 2022 is also the focus. Fakhar Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jet was shot down on February 27, 2019, during Operation Swift Retort.
Ever since Pakistan destroyed Indian jets in “Operation Swift Retort”, demand for the JF-17 has grown exponentially. Pakistani pilots in France and Bahrain International Air Show JF. 17 Thunder’s magical skills and performance have shown the world.
The JF-17 has impressed air combat experts immensely. The JF-17 Thunder fighter jet is the focus of the exhibition at Defense Exhibition Ideas 2022, a few days ago.
A few days ago, the ‘Pride of Pakistan’ JF-17 jets roared at the Bahrain International Airshow 2022 and showed Israel for the first time, and the Israelis were awestruck by it. The ‘Pride of Pakistan’ JF-17 jets gained international fame when it shot down Indian pilot Abhi Nandan’s plane in the famous ‘Operation Swift Retort’. Since then, the JF-17 Thunder has captured the world’s attention.
The JF-17 Thunder fighter jet is also important for Pakistan because Pakistan manufactures it itself. The domestically produced JF-17 fighter plane is in great demand. In the field of war technology, the veterans of the Pakistani army have always shown their amazing ability in front of international experts. With the passage of time, Pakistan has improved its defense capabilities.
It has minimized dependence on other countries for upgrades and most of the defense equipment is being produced within Pakistan.
Pakistan’s journey towards defense independence began to cross this milestone in 1995 when Pakistan and China signed a memorandum of understanding on the JF Thunder.
Pakistani engineers began work on the aircraft and within a short time, that is, its first test model was developed in 2003. The Pakistan Air Force formally added it to its air fleet in 2010. n 1998, for the first time, China signed an agreement to sell JF-17 Thunder to Pakistan during Nawaz Sharif’s regime. Nawaz Sharif was also the chief guest at the ceremony of the preparation of the 50th aircraft and its handover to the PAF in Kamra, while the historic agreement for the sale of JF-17 aircraft from Sri Lanka was also signed in the presence of the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in January 2016. Subsequently, in May 2021, Pakistan handed over 3 JF-17 Thunder aircraft to Nigeria.
Other countries have also expressed interest in buying it, including Algeria, Egypt, Bangladesh, Morocco, Nigeria, Myanmar and Zimbabwe.
Pakistan Air Force has installed Chinese-made radar as this radar is compatible with Chinese weapons. It has two missile warning units at the front and one at the rear. It can detect any incoming missile up to 60 km away and is also equipped with a 23 mm machine gun. It can carry SD-10 and PL-9 anti-aircraft missiles. The JF-17 can also use Exocut, C-801 or Harpoon missiles against ships. It can also carry GPS-guided bombs such as FT, LT and LS bombs. If it is to carry laser-guided bombs, it will also have to carry a Chinese-made targeting pod.
The theme of Defense Exhibition Ideas is “Weapons for Peace, Pakistan’s Desire for Peace and Security”. It is a matter of happiness that our defense sector is in tune with the present-day technology requirements. Organizing the exhibition in the present conditions was a challenge, however the 4-day defense exhibition is being organized by the Defense Export Promotion Organization. The quality of events is judged by the number and location of companies. International companies have brought many products with them. Our companies are also introducing new products to the world. Three new countries Austria, Romania, and Hungary have come for the first time. Two halls of the expo centre have been booked by Turkish companies and one hall by China. Small and big vendors from all over the country are participating with their unique products. Companies from America and Russia are also participating in the exhibition.
