Pakistan's Defence Industry

Dr. A. Qadeer Khan Laboratories Kahuta - Heart of Pakistan's indeginous defence industry

A.Q.K Labratories are involved in making some of the most sophesticated defence related electronic products in Pakistan.

PAC Kamra

BUILDING A BASE: When Pakistan airforce received its first Nanchang F-6 from China at the end of 1965; it quickly realized that a fighter with a 800hr mean time between overhaul (TBO) would need to be supported locally if it was to avoid sending large numbers of its aircraft over seas for extended periods. The decision was taken in 1972 to establish an F-6 rebuild factory, which has since grown into the sprawling Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). The prolonged construction of the F-6 plant, with Chinese assistance, was quickly overtaken by the Mirage Rebuild Factory in 1978. It was established to overhaul Pakistan's Dassault Mirage III/5 fighters and their Snecma Atar 09C engines, and to avoid the expensive exercise of sending the jets to France, which the airforce estimates would have cost close to $1.2 million apiece. Two more factories have since sprouted at the PAC, situated 100km (60 miles) north west of Islamabad. The Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF) opened in 1981, originally to license-produce the Saab designed MFI-17 trainer. It was followed two years later by the creation of an adjoining radar maintenance depot, which later became the Kamra Avionics and Radar Factory KARF). Grp Capt Ahmed Ishtiaq, staff officer to the PAC's director-general explains: "These four factories belong to the Ministry of Defence Production. They are administratively and financially independent factories, but, for the purpose of coordination, there is a directorate." About 40% of the PAC strong 6,500 workforce is seconded from the airforce, including virtually all of its senior management. The F-6 plant is the largest of the four factories, employing 2,800 and with the responsibility for the repair, overhaul and, in some cases, manufacture of components and drop tanks for the airforce's Chinese-built aircraft. Since completing its first aircraft in 1981, the plant has overhauled 265 F-6s and FT-5 trainers, 112 Nanchang A-5Cs and 55 Chengdu F-7Ps. Its capabilities have been extended to include tandem-seat Guizhou FT-7Ps, with the overhaul of the first two jets having been completed in November last year. With most F-6s having been through three complete overhauls, the airforce is faced with the choice of either carrying out a fourth rebuild, or replacing the type with the new F-7MGs from China. "I've the option to go for another overhaul or phase them out. The cost of another overhaul is not economic. Slowly and gradually they'll go'" concludes Air Chief Marshal Pervaiz Mehdi Qureshi, chief of the air staff. The F-6 plant is accordingly shifting its focus to supporting and upgrading the air force's 160 F-7Ps, the last of which were delivered in 1992. Each aircraft is completely rebuilt after 800 flight hours, or roughly eight years of service. The fighter's Chinese built WP7B powerplant has an even lower TBO then that of the airframe, and has to be sent to Karachi for an overhaul after only 200 hours. F-7 airframe overhaul takes around 30 weeks, entailing a complete disassembly of all components for workshop level inspection and repair. Before being reassembled, Chinese electrics are replaced with new Raychem thermo-sealed wiring for better insulation, and all rubber seals and some of the F-7s hydraulic and fuel piping are also replaced. Work is expected to start this year on replacing the aircraft's old GEC-Marconi Skyranger 226 ranging-only radar with new Fiar Grifo 7systems.
PROJECT ROSE: In June last year the adjacent Mirage Rebuild Factory completed the last cockpit upgrade for 33 former Australian Mirage IIIEA/DAs as part of Project ROSE (retrofit of strike element). Work involved the installation of a Sagem integrated navigation/attack system, heads-up display, radar altimeter, multifunction displays and hands-on-throttle-and-stick-controls. A planned second phase involves the installation of the Grifo M multimode radar, being flight tested at Kamra. Kamra refurbished 45 of 50 Australian Mirage IIIs acquired, with the 33 ROSE modified aircraft undergoing an inspection and the remaining 12 an overhaul. The plant performs two levels of overhaul: GV1 after 1,200h, or 12-14 years of flying, and GV2 at the end of 2,400-2,800h, or 26 years. The later entails a more extensive 11-month work package, including a complete disassembly of the wing and fuselage, landing gear teardown, non-destructive testing and repair. "We do everything, including structural modifications and repair and complete overhaul of the Atar 09C engine and all accessories. Nothing goes abroad apart from the fuel cells, which are rubber. We have the capability to repair them here, but there are some critical areas around the neck for which facilities are costly to establish," says Air Cdre Nasari, PAC acting director general and Mirage Rebuild Factory managing director. The factory has inspected or overhauled 137 aircraft, including eight for the UAE. Its work has been made none the easier by the increasingly diverse Mirage III/5 marques being acquired by the airforce, which in addition to those originally purchased new by Pakistan, now include ex-Australian aircraft and, more recently, ex-French airforce jets. Nasari estimates there is about 75%-80% commonality between the different versions. Atar light and general level overhauls total more than 600. The Mirage Rebuild Factory also overhauls the Pratt & Whitney F100-200 power plants for the airforce's Lockheed Martin F-16s. The plant is in the middle of upgrading the engines to improved F100-220E standard, which entails 26 major modifications. It claims to have modified about one-quarter of the airforce's F100 inventory. The F-6 and Mirage factories are fitting all of the airforces front-line types with new chaff and flare dispensers and Chinese designed BM/KJ8602 radar warning receivers produced locally by KARF. The avionics plant also supports the service's Siemens mobile pulse-Doppler radars and is expected to play a role in the Grifo 7/M radar upgrades. Pakistan has been producing the MFI-17 primary trainer and light observation aircraft since 1975, with the initial 95 completed from partially knocked down kits supplied by Saab of Sweden. In 1981, PAC bought the sole worldwide manufacturing rights to the aircraft from Sweden and has gone on to build indigenously a further 185 aircraft, locally named Mushshaks, for the Pakistan airforce, army and navy, as well as for export to Egypt, Iran, Oman and Syria. The AMF has developed an improved Super Mushshak variant, powered by a 195kW (260hp), Textron Lycoming IO-540-V4A5 with three blade MacCauley propeller. Compared to the earlier 150kW, IO-360 powered Mushshak, the new two seater offers improved speed, range, rate-of-climb and service ceiling. Other refinements include new instruments and cockpit air conditioning. Air Cdre Raza, managing director of the AMF, says: 'The next step is to begin series production of the Super Mushshak. Initially, we're going to build new aircraft and we have the capacity to produce up to 24 aircraft a year. The airforce academy has also shown a great deal of interest in a retrofit for its 30-40 Mushshaks at Risalpur."
KARAKORAM PLANS: The AMF has produced five test and demonstrator aircraft, which the airforce and the army have evaluated and about which they are completing their reports. The factory is also trying to sell the Super Mushshak to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. The plant meanwhile continues to support MFI-17s worldwide with spares, including those operated in Sweden. The PAC has a 25% share in the airframe of the K-8 Karakoram jet trainer, which was jointly developed with Nanchang of China. It had originally intended assembling the tandem seat jet locally with parts supplied from China, but this plan has been abandoned and the AMF instead plans to restrict itself to fabricating the vertical and horizontal stabilizers and front fuselage. Only 15 K-8s have been produced, of which six were delivered to Pakistan for evaluation. A larger airforce purchase hinges on the Chinese airforce also ordering its own K-8J version of the trainer. It will be powered by the Russian Progress DV-2 in place of the AlliedSignal TFE731-2A turbofan, for which the US government has refused to grant China a license to manufacture. The K-8J will feature a wider and extended aft fuselage to accommodate the new engine. Pakistan plans to stick with the US powerplant and, as a result, the AMF has had to switch from manufacture of the K-8's rear cowling to the forward fuselage. In lieu of the Chinese airforce ordering the jet, the AMF is optimistic of an export order from either Egypt or Myanmar to kick-start production. The PAC freely admits to being "disappointed" with the K-8 impasse and has tried to get the airforce to link its commitment to the Super 7 programme to a Chinese order for the trainer. "We're not making any headway with the K-8, but the airforce may choose to look in the other direction and move with the Super 7 fighter, leaving the trainer in limbo," says Ishtiaq. Given he opportunity, Kamra would also like to share in the new Super 7 programme and has already given input to the government for it to decide what is economically feasible to be conducted locally. Options vary from the complete assembly of the aircraft in Pakistan to the more likely role of producing structural and avionics components. "We consider Kamra has matured to the level where it can go to the next stage and manufacture as a vendor for other industries around the world. Right now, our responsibilities are focused on overhaul, but we're now actively looking for opportunities with some of the aerospace giants, including a commercial revenue programme," says Ishtiaq. (Text from Air International magazine)


FC-1 Fighter

The aircraft is being jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical complex Kamra and Chengdhu Aircraft Industrial Corporation.Mikoyan OKB is providing improved version of the 80kN(18,000lb) st KlimovRD-33 turbofan, as fitted to the MiG-29, designated RD-95.There are total of 7 hardpoints for armament including 4 undrewing,2wingtips,and 1 centreline weapons station.Three flying prototypes and two static test airframes are alreadyunder construction and first delivery is expected to take place during 1999. PAC Kamra will undertake manufacturing and assembly of this aircraft.Length: 13.99mWingspan:9.5mHight:5mMax Speed: Mach1.8Empty Weight:20,503lbMax Take off Weight:27,557lbWeapons load:7055lb

K-8 Trainer/Light attack Aircraft

Cockpit View

This aircraft first flew in 1991, powered by TFE 731-2A turbofan. It is also equipped with a ROCKWELL Collins flight instrumentation system, with two displays in the front and two in the rear cockpit. PAC Kamra is producing this aircraft and at least 6 examples are already flying with PAF.K-8 will eventually replace all T-37 aircrafts in PAF service and some 75 aircrfts will eventually be delivered.The aircraft apart from being used as a trainer,can also be used for:(i)Supplementary low level air base defence with 2 sidewinders.(ii)Tactical armed reconnaissance(iii)Armed AOP with 4 250 lb bombs or rockets (Picture courtesy of Syed Nooman)

MFI-17Mushshaq Trainer

PAC Kamra is now offering updated version of this aircraft which was first built in Pakistan in 1974. It is used by Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force for forward air control, reconnaissance, artillary observation,liasion and other military duties. Hundreds of these aircrafts are inservice with PAF and export costumers like Iran and Oman.

AL-Khalid Tank...MBT-2000

The first prototype of this tank rolled out in June 1991 and is truly a dream come true in Pakistan's quest for self reliance. This project is an end product of project P-711which was initiated in 1988 to rebuild T-59 tanks at Heavy Rebuild Factory(HRF),Taxilla.A step wise approach, carefull planning, hard work of hundreds of engineers and technicians and with the help of People's Republic of China a truly remarkable tank emerged as an end result.What started as a single facility for Project P-711 expanded to six new manufacturing projectsin a short period of time.P-882, all types of hulls.P-883, all types of turrets.P-884, all types of engines(from 520 HP to 1500 HP)P-885, all types of guns (from 105mm to 203mm) P-886, flexible machining centre 8000 tons of cement,850 tons of reinforced steel, 1750 tons of structural steel and 1.3 million man hours were spent to establish these facilities .....within the period of one year! HRF relies on 360 factories nationwide for the manufacture of more than 4500 components for thisproject.This tank will initially consist of 70% Pak made components but this figure will gradually rise to 90%. Specifications:Crew: 3Combat Weight:48 tonsPower Weight ratio:25-30length in mm:6900Height in mm:2300Max road speed(km/h):62 Main Gun Caliber:125 smooth boreMuzzle velocity:1760/850/905Autu loader: yesAmmo storage: 39Engine Power:1200-1500Transmission:Auto-Hyd Composite(changable)Estimated Cost: 1.7 million.Tank can fire APFSDS, HEAT and HE ammunition types.Secondary armament includes one 12.7mm and one 7.62 mm machine guns.Armour includes both composite and add on reactive armour.

UPDATE(06/24/97): Chief of the Army Staff (COAS),General Jahangir Karamat visited the Southern desert areas and witnessed the trials of main battle tank-2000, Al-Khalid. This year the trials are being conducted on FP-3. The serial-production of tank is expected to start very soon.

UPDATE(04/01/98): The serial production of Pakista's first indigenously-built Main Battle Tank Al-khalid is likely to start some time in the middle of 1999 as the final field trial of this tank will be conducted this summer. The Formation Commanders Conference (FCC), was briefed on some of the major projects of modernisation undertaken by the Army, including manufacture of Armoured personnel carriers, progress on the induction of Tank T-80UD, modernisation of T-59 tanks, indigenisation of MBT-2000 Al-Khalid, and locally-designed armoured command vehicles.

UPDATE(05/06/99): A detailed briefing by chairman HIT was followed by display of equipment manufactured and modernised by the HIT and major defence production organisations which included tanks, armoured recovery vehicles, advanced ammunitions and APCs. The dignitaries were shown Main Battle Tank (MBT) Al-Khalid and were informed that the Army after exhaustive tests/trials had given a go ahead to move into the pilot production phase. Al-Khalid development programme commenced in 1990 and the very first conceptual prototype was launched in July 1991 by Nawaz Sharif who was also then prime minister. The programme had many research and development cycles. A number of federal ministers, Secretary Defence Lt Gen (Retd) Iftikhar Ali Khan, Secretary Defence Production Lt Gen (Retd) Lehrasab, Army Chief General Pervaz Musharraf, who is also Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Fasih Bokhari, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Pervaz Mehdi Qureshi were also present on the occasion. The development work of Al-Khalid tank has, however, been progressing at a fast pace and every year since then prototypes have been fielded for extensive trials resulting in improvement and perfection of different systems. Prolonged trials were conducted under varying terrain conditions recently and the Al-Khalid demonstrated exceptional performance under extremely difficult environment. The tank incorporates state-of-the-art features, which compare favourably with modern tanks of western origin. Al-Khalid carries a 125 mm smooth bore gun having an image stabilised fire control system, auto tracking and hunter killer capability. The tank has thermal imaging right vision sights and effect protection against present and future battlefield threats. It possesses a high-level of mobility and agility with a power of ratio in excess of 26:11. With these characteristics it is considered to be one of the most lethal and agile tanks in the world. The HIT where the tank will be manufactured has established adequate/infrastructure for indigenous manufacture of major components of the tank in Pakistan.

IRST pod

A podded infrared search and tracking system demonstrator developed by Air Weapons Complex (AWC) has been shown mounted under the wing of A Pakistan Air Force Mirage III fighter. Design of the air-to-air IRST, now in production, began in 1992 and was first tested in 1994. The 2.4m long installation , including a stabilizer head in a 210mm diameter supersonic housing, weighs 80kg and draws its power from the host aircraft. It has an RS-422 interface , the output being presented on a 3.5 kg electroluminescent display in the cockpit. For post mission analysis, the pod can also be connected to a 14kg mission recorder installed in the nose of the aircraft. The system is designed to be used against airborne threats, and has a multi-target search capability. The pilot can choose from three scan patterns, including spiral (26x26), horizontal (9.6x100), and vertical (100x9.6) scans. A target tracking function is also avilable, and the IRST's modular design allows for deployment on various platforms, including rotary-wing types. (06/11/98)

Anza MK-I SAM

Anza surface to air missilescan be shoulder fired or mounted on M-113 APC for protetion from low flying aircrafts and helicopters.Its effective range is 4.2kms, homes onto the heat emitted by a target's engine and is therefore most effective against aircraft from behind.

UPDATE(07/28/97): Pakistan test fired an improved version of Anza, Anza MK-II. Like Anza MK-I, this model consists of a missile in a sealed launch tube, a reusable firing unit and a thermal batery attached to a gripstock firing unit to provide power. Once the missile leaves the launch tube the main motor cuts in and carries the homing missile to the target. Anza MK-II carries higher explosive and has a range of 5kms. It has greater manoeuvrability than its predecessor, a more powerful rocket motor, and an all-aspect passive seeker that allows it to engage fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters from any angle.

UPDATE(06/24/97): Pakistan test fired Anza MK-III at Nowshera today. The test-firing was wittnessed by Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and Corps Commander Peshawar who expressed full satisfaction over the performance of the missile. According to a source in Defence ministry who wittnessed the trials the missiles "banged on target each time in a series of volleys".

Thermal Gunner's sight for MBTs

Pakistan develops thermal gunner's sight: The Al-Technique Corporation of Pakistan has recently revealed that it has developed a new gunner's thermal sight. This can be installed on the Russian designed T-54/T-55 main battle tanks (MBTs) and their equivalent, the China North Industries Corporation Type 59 and later Type 69 MBTs, used in large numbers by the Pakistani Army.

Hataf-I SSM

Surface to surface missile has a range of 150 kms. Hataf-II has a range of 300 kms.

Ghauri Missile

Pakistan on Monday carried out a successful flight test of the nuclear capable surface-to-surface missile Ghauri,(Hataf-V), with a range of 1500km (1000 miles) and a payload capacity of 700 kg. The Ghauri was fired from Multan, near the city of Jhelum in northeastern Pakistan, at 7.25am local time and impacted the target near the Southwestern city of Quetta at 7.33am. The missile went 350 kms up before taking the direction to the impact area within tha Pakistan territory. The test missile weighed 16 tons- 13 tons of it fuel, one ton warhead and the rest casing and equipment.(Picture courtesy of Syed Amir)

Nuclear Capable Ghauri II SSM

Another View

Another View

ISLAMABAD, April 14: Pakistan test fired its Ghauri-II ballistic missile in retaliation to India's testing of its intermediate range Agni-II missile over the weekend. The missile launch took place at 10:35 a.m. (0535 GMT) from Tilla Jogain in the district of Jhelum, 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of the capital Islamabad. The sources declined to reveal the range of the missile and other details about the test. According to other government sources the Ghauri-II missile hit the designated target in the south-western province of Baluchistan. The new Ghauri has a longer range than its earlier version which had a reach of 1,500 kilo-meters (937 miles) and was successfully tested on April 6 last year, they said. The sources said preparations were also in place in southern Pakistan to test the Shaheen ballistic missile and that scientists were just waiting for the government to give the green light. The Ghauri launch came a day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, ignoring Western calls for restraint, vowed to give a "necessary" response to the Indian missile test. Official sources said Pakistan's military chief also recommended a befitting response at a meeting overnight at the Joint Staff Headquarters in nearby Rawalpindi. (Pictires courtesy of Shamyl Effendi)

Nuclear capable Shahine I SSM

Another View

Another View

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan tested a second nuclear-capable missile Thursday, official sources said, upping the ante in the missile race with its uneasy neighbor India. The missile tested was the Shaheen I, the first in a new series of missiles. The Shaheen I has a range of 450 miles, considerably less than the Ghauri II ballistic missile which Pakistan tested Wednesday. The Ghauri II, which has a range of 1,200 miles, was tested in response to a similar test carried out by India last Sunday. The Ghauri II, like the new Shaheen missile, can carry a nuclear or conventional payload of 2,200 pounds. The foreign ministry statement said Thursday's test of the Shaheen ``concludes, for now, the series of ... flight tests involving solid and liquid fuel rocket motor technologies, which started yesterday.'' Pakistani officials said Thursday's test was conducted at the Sonmiani naval base, some 30 miles from Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi in southwestern Baluchistan province on the Arabian Sea coast. A second more advanced Shaheen missile with a range of 1,430 miles is apparently ready and waiting to be tested. There has been no announcement of when or whether that ballistic missile would be tested. (Pictires courtesy of Shamyl Effendi)

Baktar Shikan ATM

The Baktar Shikan has a Semi-Automatic Command-To-Line-Of-Sight(SACLOS) guidance system and consists of four key parts, the missile in its launch tube, an Infra-Red(IR) goniometer, the guidance unit and the tripod. The system can quickly be disassembled into these four components, none of which weighs more than 25 kg making it particularly suitable for use by light infantry units operating in rough terrain, according to a recent issue of Janes Intelligence Review. The review says the anti-tank missile is wire-guided and all the operator has to do to ensure a hit is to keep his optical sight on the target ensuring a deadly hit capability of nearly 90 percent within a maximum range of three kms.

Update: Far Eastern states show interest in Pak anti-tank missile ABU DHABI: The countries in the Far East have shown interest in the Pakistan made Baktar Shikan missile system being displayed here at the biggest Middle East arms show. Sale deals with a few countries are likely to take place soon for this anti-tank missile system, Dr Javed Arshad Mirza, Deputy Chairman of the Kahuta Research Laboratories, told Khaleej Times. "We have also found interest among visitors here for this weapon, and have received several enquiries," he said at the International Defence Show called "Idex 99". Dr Mirza, who is heading the Pakistani delegation, said the Baktar Shikan is a second generation anti-tank missile weapon system based on the principle of optical aiming, IR tracking and remotely-controlled and wire-transmitted guidance signals. "The Baktar Shikan has an increased penetration power, a powerful anti-jamming capability, easy operation, and the ability to destroy tank targets up to a range of 3000 metres, with a 90 per cent hit and penetration probability. The system automatically guides the missile to its target and its powerful warhead proceeds to destroy it, and can be quickly disassembled into four sub-units each weighing not more than 25 kg." Pakistan is taking part in the Idex 99' defence show, focusing on light armour, ammunition and anti-tank missile weapon systems. On display at their two stands are indigenously-built small arms, rifles, ammunition and the Baktar Shikan missile (tank destroyer). Also on display is the model of the 15 metre long Ghauri and other auxiliary missile weapon support systems. The Pakistan Ordnance Factory is displaying small arms and ammunition at the show.

MISSILE BOAT

Pakistan's first missile boat PNS Jalalat weighs 200 tons and is armed with 802C surface-to-surface cruise missiles of over 100-kms range. It had been built at a cost of Rs 740 million against an import cost price of Rs 1120 million. It is reported by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that Pakistan has already secured an order with a unspecified country for the export of these missile boats(08/14/97).

UPDATE(04/12/98): The SriLankan navy proposes to buy a gunboat from Pakistan which fires missiles, a privately-owned daily, The Island, revealed today. A high powered team of navy officers, which recently returned from Pakistan after inspecting the vessel, had submitted a report recommanding the purchase of the missile gunboat, which itself would cost $15 million.


Update: Pak Navy launches new Missile Boat ‘Shujaat-II’ KARACHI, March 26 (PPI): Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Fasih Bokhari Friday morning launched the Missile Craft 'Shujaat-II' - first ever built at Karachi Shipyard and the second of its type built in the country - here at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Limited (KSEW). The Missile Craft is built with the assistance of the Peoples Republic of China which provided the necessary design and equipment support in this venture and added a new dimension in the expertise of KSEW. The Missile Craft would be equipped with Chinese made missiles. Speaking at the occasion Admiral Fasih Bokhari said that Pakistan Navy attached a lot of importance to KSEW. He said quality of work performed in the past on the construction of tankers, tugs, barges, floating dock and other craft was found to be of a good standard. The quality of work produced by KSEW in the pressure hull fabrication of Agosta 90B Submarine was regarded to be of the highest standard not only by the Pakistan Navy but also by the French experts of DCN international, the company which as collaborating in the construction of Agosta Submarines in Pakistan, he added. About joint venture between KSEW and PN Dockyard for indigenisation in the field of warship construction and eventual export of ship and craft to friendly countries, Fasih Bokhari said that efforts were already underway on this proposal and "we hope to Inshallah receive a positive response. This is indeed a valid and logical point of interest between Pakistan and its friendly countries", he added. About the financial health of KSEW, Bokhari said, KSEW had accumulated losses, because it was not awarded shipbuilding orders, which it was capable of executing, and it was a matter of concern. Ports, shipping, shipyard and the Navy were the four pillars of maritime strategy and the KSEW was the only support available in the country to give strength to these four pillars, he said. He assured KSEW fullest support of Pakistan Navy and urged the Ports and Shipping sector, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) in particular to extend their cooperation as well so that this organization of strategic importance was revitalized, revived and put on a sound financial footing, he added. Managing Director KSEW Rear Admiral (Retd) Javed Iftikhar said that KSEW had previously constructed and supplied a number of naval support vessels like tugs, coastal tankers, towed array barge, floating dock and pontoons, today's launching of the missile craft takes this strategic national industry into the domain of warship construction. KSEW was playing in catering the needs of Pakistan Navy. Making a modest beginning with the construction and delivery of six landing craft in 1976, it has subsequently built and supplied to the Pakistan Navy two diving boats, two coastal oil/water tanker, one tug, one Towed Array Barge, a 4000 tons lifting capacity floating dock and some pontoons and catamarans. He said KSEW has at present an order in hand for the construction of a 36 tons bollard pull capacity tug for the Navy while some other orders were in the pipeline. KSEW was also proud to be associated with the works of construction of the most precision and intricate part of Agosta 90B submarine, which was its pressure hull.

Update: Pakistan Navy warships to visit Kuwait KUWAIT CITY, MARCH 10: Pakistan Navy's light strike force, comprising five indigenously-built warships will arrive in Kuwait on Friday as part of their goodwill cruise to the Gulf countries, it was announced here on Wednesday. Pakistan's ambassador Mushtaq Mehr told Dawn that the aim of the visit was to display Pakistan's indigenous capabilities in the field of naval shipbuilding and retrofitting. The cruise has a peculiar significance since all the five ships have been constructed/retrofitted and modernized in Pakistan. The ships left Karachi after a successful completion of the Pakistan naval defence show '99 in which local and international manufacturers displayed their potential defence-related technology - communications, weapons, sensors, computer hardware and software. The group, headed by Commodore Irfan Ahmad, includes PNS Tipu Sultan, a frigate fitted with modern weapons/sensors, PNS Mujahid, a modern and sophisticated mine-hunter, PNS Jalalat, a missile craft, PNS Larkana, a fast patrol boat and coastal tanker PNS Gawadar. The purpose of the visit is to promote goodwill, besides training the officers and sailors and promotion of bilateral relations. Mr Mehr said: "The cruise will provide an excellent opportunity to introduce the indigenously-built naval vessels of Pakistan to the Muslim countries as the Gulf countries that possess missile and patrol crafts will be able to evaluate Pakistani vessels for any further expansion of their naval fleets." Update: Saudi Naval officers boarded PN ships and witnessed practical mine hunting demonstration. The PN and RSNF ships also participated in joint exercises which included manoeuvring and electronic warfare exercise. Later, a reception was hosted on board PNS Tippu Sultan which was attended by high ranking officials of the RSNF, Saudi Coast Guard, diplomats, journalists and Pakistani community. Earlier, the ships visited the Port Mina Zayed of the UAE and Doha of Qatar. At the ports the fleet was received by senior civil and military officials of both brotherly Muslim countries. The UAE Commander of Naval Forces and the Commander of the Qatar Emiri navy visited the Pakistan Navy ships. They were given detailed presentations on PN indigenous construction and retrofitting capabilities and Pakistan's role in the maritime affairs of the region. Local mediamen were invited on board ships where they were briefed on the aim and purpose of the visit, and receptions were hosted which were attended by senior civil and military officials, ambassadors and local Pakistani community members. A large number of schoolchildren and local Pakistanis visited the ships which were opened for the visitors.

UAV

Pakistan is currently producing an unspecified UAV equipped with TV and laser cameras.

ERIDAN CLASS MINEHUNTER

Pakistan has started work on Eridan class minehunter under the technology transfer programme with France at PN Shipyard Karachi.

AGOSTA-90B SUBMARINES

Under the deal involving complete technology transfer with France PN Shipyard in Karachi has started work on second submarine to be partially built in Pakistan. The third and last vessel will be built entirely in Pakistan providing Pakistan Navy with complete technology to build more boats in the future.


Update (April 3, 1999) Submarine sections arrive from France: KARACHI, April 3: The sections of the third Agosta 90-B Submarine, to be constructed in PN Dockyard under an agreement of transfer of technology, arrived here from France on Saturday evening. According to an ISPR press release, the first of these submarines named " Khalid" has been constructed in France, presently successfully completing its sea trials is expected to reach home by the end of this year. The construction of second submarine is in full swing at PN Dockyard. Pakistan Navy personnel are working day and night with great enthusiasm, and diligence to complete the construction of the submarine. Pakistan Navy has already constructed ships and mine-hunters by exploiting its indigenous resources and with the completion of this submarine, Pakistan will enter into an era of indigenous submarines construction. The induction of Agosta 90-B submarines in Pakistan Navy will further enhance its lethality as these submarines are based on modern technology and will be equipped with adequate weapons. The submarine construction project is highly complex technically difficult and sophisticated more than any other project undertaken in Pakistan so far. An important consideration is the transfer of technology to Pakistan for submarine construction. - APP Update:

TYPE-21 FRIGATE

Pakistan Navy Shipyard is currently working on upgrading Type-21 frigates. Some of the upgrades invole instillation of DA08 pulse-compression E/F-band (2-4 GHz) radar with stabilized antenna(providing good electronic counter measures), CS Defense Najir Mk2 electrooptical director(equipped with a SAT Murene thermal imager,Radamec HK 202 television camera and CILAS THS 304 laser rangefinder),Thomson-CSF DR 3000S radar, BAeSEMA/Thompson Sintra ATAS active towed-array sonar and a new cammand and weapons control system with a new-generation CelsiusTech 9LV Mk3.

WEAPONS: Harpoon Block IC missiles(124kms range), Phalanx Mk15 Close in Weapon System (CIWS), MK36 SRBOC decoy launcher, Bofors Underwater Systems Tp45 lightweight torpedo, MSI Defence DS30B mount with a single 30mm Oerlikon KCB for short range air defence, and a team of marines armed with Stinger SAM.

Yasoob Heavy Transport Truck

Built by Trans Mobile Limited Pakistan according to Pakistan Army specifications.

C-130 UPGRADE FACILITY

CAE-Canada and Shaheen foundation Pakistan have finished work on a facility near Chaklala to upgrade and maintain C-130 fleet. The CAE-Canada selected Pakistan as facility of this kind was not available within a radius of 1000 kilometers of Pakistan and around 750 C-130 planes are in use in kuwait,Iranian and Jordanian air force. The project also envisages outer wing improvement plan (OWIP) of the current PAF fleet extending the life span of aging air-crafts of PAF to furthur 12,000 flying hours equivalents to 24 years of service. Pakistan International Airlines has already evinced interest in getting their 747 passanger planes converted into cargo outfits. The P-C3 Orion aircrafts of Pakistan Navy will also be provided maintenance and service facilities. PAF HOME-BASE>

Pakistan
 Space IndustryR

BADR-I

: The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) launched its first satallite on July 16 1990. Its main purpose was to get technical know how and obtain valuable data in preperation for further launches. Satellite provided valuable data for 5 weeks after which contact with it was lost. It had cost $125 million to finish.

BADR-II

(06/22/97): The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has ultimately completed the second experimental satellite- Badr-II which is expected to be launched before the year is out. The satallite will be about 60-70 kg in weight and it will be launched into orbit at an altitude of 500-560 kms. TThe objectives of Badr-II are indigenous development of low-cost satellites and creation of necessary infrastructure, acquisition of know-how and capability in the field of satellite altitude and stabilisation, acquisition of techonology for earth-imaging with the help of CCD-type sensors, and encouraging participation of the acadamic and scientific community in space telecommunications. The staellite will have a CCD-based imaging system for photographing the earth's surface in the visible part of the electro-magnetic spectrum.

Update (April 21, 1999) Badr-II, the satellite developed by Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) will be launched from the Kazakh station of Bekanour in August next. ..........This will be the second satellite by Pakistan after Badar-1 launched in 1990 from a Chinese launching pad. .........."This indigenously developed satellite with an expected life span of 3 years will weigh 70 kilograms "Suparco Chairman Dr Abdul Majid told reporters at a workshop on "Agricultural applications of Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) Data" at a local hotel on Tuesday. ..........He said that the satellite developed mainly by Suparco's Lahore station, would be despatched to Karachi and later sent to Russia for launching. ..........He said that the Russian Space Agency would launch the satellite in a piggy back ride along with their meteorological satellite Meteor-3A. .........."We are going to pay very nominal charges to the Russian Space Agency for the launching," Majid said. ..........He said that Badar-II was earlier scheduled to be launched in August last year, but it was delayed due to a technical fault in the Meteor-3A. ..........Badar-II to be launched in 1025 kilometres, sun synchronous orbit, would pass over Pakistani territory five to six times every day, collecting data and relaying it to the Lahore-based ground station.--APP

UPDATE(03/16/97): Baddar-2 will be launcehed into the orbit on experimental basis on August 14 this year. Sourses said that the satellite will take pictures of areas inundated with flood waters, besides keeping an eye on air pollution, and surveying underground resources e.t.c.

PAKSAT

(4/16/97): A $220 million contract is awarded to a French company Alcatel to launch a Pakistani communication satellite. The PakSat satellite will be launched on behalf of Pakistan by Alcatel under a 15 years' licence and will carry 26 transponders. PAF HOME-BASE>

Latest in Combat Against
IndiaR

08/26/96: Pakistani troops shot down an Indian military helicopter near the ceasefire line in Azad Kashmir. The Mi-17 Hip was carrying two Air Force crew,two other Air Force personnel and two Army personnel when it crashed near Siachen Glacier. (Pakistan officials stated on september 3 that four Indian Air Force helicopters had been shot down, although details were only given for Aug 26 crash).

01/16/97: India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over alleged violation of its airspace by a Pakistani Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV). The indian defence ministry said the Airforce was studying a videofilm of the small, pilotless aircrft which authorities said crossed into the state of Gujarat from Pakistan. Airforce found pieces of Missile fired by the MIG-21 but no sign of the RPV. Pakistan denied the charge saying it did not violate Indian airspace. Indian flight safety slammed

JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY (24th JUNE 1998) India's Comptroller and Auditor General has criticised the air force for losing 147 aircraft and 63 pilots in 187 accidents between 1991 and 1997. Pilot error was attributed as having caused 41% of the aircraft losses. PAF HOME-BASE>

Real story behind
PAF F-16 LossR
During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan Air Force F-16s were heavily involved in guarding Pakistan's airspace from Soviet and Afghan communist Air Force planes. PAF flew countless missions and shot down at least 14 intruding aircrafts. A report released in 1988 by General Dynamics credited Pakistan Air Force with shooting down 16 aircrafts. During one of these missions a single aircraft was lost. Different theories were put forward about how the loss occured. The official version was that it was accidently shot down by the pilot's wingman. I always wanted to get the detail of this incident but was unable to find more information until I read an article in Airforces Monthly (May,1993). It was written by a Russian aviation writer, Sergey Vekhov. For the first time, it provided a first hand account of what happened in the skies over Afghanistan. "On April 29,1987,L/C Pochitalkin led a flight of four MiG-23s to mine mountain path under Mujahedeen control in the Djavara region,to the south of Host. These routes were used to supply weapons and ammunition to the dykhi(ghosts-Russian translation of Farsi 'dyshman' meaning bandit). who blockaded the town. The strikes delivered 1,100lb(500 kg) bombs onto the highland passes effectively blocking the way for the arms caravans. The Mig-23s were usually armed with up to four KMGU (Ronteyner Malogabaritnyh Gruzov- small weapon container) each carrying 24 anti-personal mines. At the place where the Griffons would have to 'work' (meaning 'to execute an order' in the Russian Air Force), Mujahedeen had many and varied air defence weapons including Chinese built 12.7mm DShK machine guns, and 20mm Oerlicon guns with a range of 6600 ft. And from 1986, dykhi used General Dynamics' Stinger shoulder-mounted surface-to-air missile (SAM), with a range of 11,550 ft to defend thier main bases. These would have to be destroyed and the flight group leader decided upon the following mission: fly to the target at 26,400 ft, and just before reaching it, dive to 1,320 ft and toss the bombs while climbing, then enter a 90 degree left rolling climb to 23,100 ft. Such tactics would avoid entering Mujahedeen air defence space. Early on the morning of April 29, four MiG-23s got airborne from Bagram. Meteorological conditions were difficult with multiple cloud layers, known as puff pie, starting at 9,900 ft up to 33,000 ft. The monotonous highland terrain also complicated orientation, but L/C Pochitalkin was an experienced pilot - he regularily led four to eight Griffons during combat missions. Just before the target area, he managed to find his bearings by the little town of Tani, to the south of Host. The three MiGs folloed him closely. The war had provided pilots with the opportunity to gain considerable experience of formation flying, so they are really tight. Just before the taget, the MiGs descended, then during the steep climb released their bombs and, keeping close formation, climbed left into a combat turn leaving the battle course at 90 to 100 degrees. Having reached 21,450 ft, the flight leader lokked back, and between the clouds saw a flying torch-like flame. Thingking it could be a plane from his group, L/C Pochitalkin turned his MiG aroung and called to his wingman. All three pilots responded immediately that they were OK. The flight leader reported to base that he had seen a burning aircraft, and Major Osipenko, the regiment's intelligence officer, flying in the trailing aircraft, confirmed this. Then L/C Pochitalkin banked left vectoring onto the torch. Suddenly, all the MiG pilots saw an F-16 Fighting Falcon appear from heavy clouds at 13,200 ft, it made a steep bank round its burning co-partner, engaged the afterburner, and disappeared into the clouds, heading for Pakistan territory. On the way home, the airwaves were alive with the questions about the incident to the flight leader. After landing at Bagram, L/C Pocjitalkin told that his group had been attacked by a pair of Paistan Air Force F-16s and one F-16 was shot down. Later this report was confirmed by Had, Afghanistan intelligence, an offshoot of the Soviet KGB (and a very effective servvice). It reported that the F-16 pilot ejected safely, landing in a rebel controlled region - he was transferred to Pakistan that night. Later, wreckage from the Falcon was also transferred. Throughout the analysis of the incident, one major question remained unanswered - how was the F-16 was shot down, when the Griffons were not armed with missles. Three possiblities were considered by the committee. The first, and the most likely, was that the F-16 met the rain of bomb mines on its rising trajectory and blew up. The Falcons probably took off from Kamra Air Base, near Miranshah. Kamra is situated so close to the Afghan border that the F-16 could launch their Sidewinders immediately after getting airborne. PAF pilots intended to intercept Soviet fighters at high altitudes, assuming that they would be dive bombing, but on that day the Griffons'worked' on the climb, and steeply descended before the attack. At that moment, the F-16 could have slipped forward and become caught up in the 'cloud' of bombs. The second version suggested that during pursuit, the F-16 came upon the climbing MiGs, and trying to avoid them, the Pakistan pilot jerked the plane into a sharp bank and exceeded the maximum g-load. The final thoery was that the Falcon could have been shot down by his wingman. Intercepting th MiGs from the aft hemisphere, the F-16s tracked them on their radar up to the point where they released their bombs. But when the close formation Griffons carried out drastic flak evasion manoeuvers, the F-16s had to carry out the turn and the wingman may have hurriedly fired his Sidewinders accidently hitting his leader. (Air Forces Monthly, May 1993, pgs 46, 47)