Pakistani army chief visits ordnance factory as Islamabad pushes indigenous defence production

New Delhi: Pakistan is focusing on its domestic defence industry, with the Pakistani army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, visiting the Pakistan ordnance factory (POF) in Wah to review weapon production, modernization and export potential. The visit brought renewed focus on Pakistan’s attempt to move beyond assembling or maintaining imported systems and develop a broader manufacturing base for ammunition, combat aircraft, missiles, armoured vehicles and naval platforms.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Field Marshal Asim Munir was briefed on various aspects of POF’s operations and its role in producing military equipment for the armed forces. He also witnessed tests and trials of locally designed and manufactured arms and ammunition, according to a Dawn report.

The field marshal was also briefed on ongoing indigenization and upgrading efforts at the facility. ISPR said two new industrial plants are being installed at POF and are likely to commence production by the end of the current year.

He was further briefed on the progress of the corporatization process following the enactment of the Defence Industrial Production and Research Authority (DIPRA) Ordinance. The development is part of Pakistan’s broader effort to strengthen the organization and management of its defence-production sector.

The visit concluded with the military reiterating its emphasis on indigenous production, technological innovation and greater self-reliance in the defence sector.

POF at Wah is one of the key components of Pakistan’s defence-industrial network. Its production base covers a range of arms, ammunition and related military equipment used by the country’s armed forces.

The latest visit places particular emphasis on increasing production capacity, upgrading industrial infrastructure and improving the ability to manufacture defence equipment domestically.

The focus on indigenization also comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s wider efforts to develop capabilities across different segments of the defence sector, including aircraft, missiles, armoured vehicles, artillery systems and naval platforms, according to a review of Pakistan’s defence-industrial base published by European Security & Defence.

Combat aircraft production

Pakistan’s combat-aircraft manufacturing capability is centred on the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra, which has played a major role in the development and production of the JF-17 Thunder fighter.

The JF-17 was jointly developed by Pakistan and China and is produced in Pakistan, with successive variants incorporating improvements in avionics, radar, electronic warfare and weapons integration. PAC has also developed substantial aircraft maintenance, overhaul and upgrade capabilities. Its work extends beyond the JF-17 programme to the maintenance and modernization of aircraft operated by the Pakistan Air Force.

Pakistan has additionally produced the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft and has sought overseas customers for the platform, giving its aviation industry an export component.

Missiles and precision weapons

Pakistan’s defence-industrial network also includes organizations involved in the development of missiles and precision-guided weapons. The country operates several missile families, including the Babur series of cruise missiles and the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile. Pakistan has also developed the Harbah anti-ship cruise missile for its naval forces.

Its rocket-artillery capabilities have expanded through the Fatah family of guided multiple-launch rocket systems, including the Fatah-I and Fatah-II.

Global Industrial Defence Solutions (GIDS) is also involved in the development and production of a range of guided and precision weapons, including air-launched weapons, glide bombs, air-defence systems and anti-tank guided missiles.

Tanks and armoured vehicles

Pakistan’s armoured-vehicle manufacturing and maintenance capabilities are concentrated largely at Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT).

The facility has been involved in the production, overhaul and modernization of tanks and armoured vehicles used by the Pakistani army. The Al Khalid main battle tank, developed with Chinese assistance, is manufactured in Pakistan, while the Al Zarrar programme involved the extensive upgrading of older Type 59 tanks.

HIT also produces and upgrades other armoured platforms, including personnel carriers and vehicles derived from the M113 family.

The Haider main battle tank, based on China’s VT-4 design, was introduced by Pakistan in 2024 for the Pakistani army. This underscores Pakistan’s focus on indigenous production of its land systems.

Naval shipbuilding

Pakistan has also expanded its domestic naval construction capabilities through partnerships, technology transfers and local production. Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) has constructed major naval platforms, including F-22P frigates and Turkish-designed Milgem corvettes.

Pakistan is also undertaking domestic construction of vessels under its Hangor-class submarine programme, with some submarines being built in Pakistan while others are being constructed in China. The approach is intended to gradually expand Pakistan’s ability to construct, maintain and upgrade complex naval platforms domestically.

Beyond POF, Pakistan’s defence-industrial ecosystem now spans ammunition and weapons production, combat aircraft, missiles, armoured vehicles and naval platforms. Much of this development has involved cooperation with countries such as China and Türkiye, alongside efforts to increase local manufacturing and technical capabilities.

For Islamabad, the larger goal is to move closer to self-reliance and decrease reliance on foreign military hardware. Export opportunities, on the other hand, could help generate more income for the country and aid continued investment in Pakistan’s defence industry.