The defence mechanism of a country is interconnected and integrated in such a way that if one part is missing, others cannot function properly. Impregnable defence of a country depends both on high quality manpower as well as a robust defence industry to meet the emerging requirements of modern-day warfare. Pakistan is lucky in this regard; Armed Forces of Pakistan comprise the best of soldiership, and a growing defence industry which is booming with each passing year. Our soldiers have been fighting the War on Terror for over a decade now; yet braving the hardships and offering unparalleled sacrifices without a word of complaint. They have been accepting all tasks and achieving them regardless of the circumstances with a ‘can-do’ attitude encapsulating the very ethos of their training, discipline, spirit and high morale.

In order to effectively meet new challenges posed by the transformed regional and global security dynamics, modernization and up-gradation programmes of defence equipment is mandatory. However, unless the country’s defence industry is capable of indigenous production, the country remains dependent on imports. In 1947, with no existing infrastructure for manufacturing ammunition or other defence equipment to meet the security challenges, we have come a long way; from the confined role of repairing and maintaining, we have now manufactured tanks, guns, Armoured Personnel Carriers, fighter and trainer aircraft, and have even acquired the expertise to manufacture drones. Development in technology and resources has brought about such a revolution in the defence and aviation industry that public and private organizations can now meet the requirement of Pakistan Armed Forces very efficiently as well as export our products to other countries. In the recent years Pakistan’s defence production industry, with Chinese assistance, has emerged as one of the most sophisticated military-industrial complex in the region. Pakistan now offers complete end-to-end solutions, making it an enticing source for customers across the globe.

Pakistan Armed Forces are always working on measures to maintain the deterrence equation with the hostile expansionist neighbours. Babar-3, the sea-based variant of Ground Launched Missile Babar-2, completed the nuclear triad and added second strike capability to the already existing land combat power. Also, the strategic forces of Pakistan achieved vital technological and deterrence capability with the introduction of a Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry (MIRV) compatibility missile Ababeel, becoming the seventh country in the world to possess this technology. This missile can carry multiple warheads and hit multiple targets with a single launch, greatly increasing the potency of our strategic nuclear arsenal.

Pakistan is committed to discouraging arms race and promoting the motto of ‘arms for peace’ but technology can only be fought with technology, and this has assumed greater importance with the proliferation of smart missiles and other modern systems in many regions across the world. The missile launch is a manifestation of absorbing and assimilating technology, an aspect crucial to a country’s development, and the strategy of measured response to nuclear strategies and postures being adopted in Pakistan’s neighbourhood.

The spirit of our Armed Forces remains unconquerable and indefatigable as they stand committed to guard our borders. Like the COAS, General Qamar Javed Bajwa said while addressing the troops, “Our experience of counter-terrorism operations has made us battle-hardened which is a valued add-on for operational preparedness…. [I]am proud to be COAS of a brave and highly professional army.” Pakistan Army is at the very top, be it in training, combat readiness, weapons production or resolve; our soldiers and officers are ever ready to defeat all kinds of emerging conventional and unconventional threats.

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