ISLAMABAD – Building up its arms capability, Pakistan has witnessed anexponential growth in its arms exports as the country aims to become one ofthe leading suppliers of defense equipment.
As per the *Nikkei Asian Review,* Pakistan’s arms exports exceeded $210million in the fiscal year through June, said a senior Pakistani governmentofficial. This shows an exponential rise from the approximately $100million in arms sales just two years earlier.
The report states that the rising arms export is part of Pakistan’s pushfor greater weapons self sufficiency, with neighbouring ally China playinga significant role in expanding Pakistan’s arms manufacturing capability.
“The JF-17 has helped Pakistan lay the groundwork for self sufficiency,”said retired Lt Gen Talat Masood, a former Pakistan military commander anddefense analyst.
The former army man further said that China has also helped Pakistanproduce tanks and has assisted Pakistan’s navy with assistance in buildingwarships and submarines.
“Now, Pakistan is seeking to tap export markets,” said Masood.
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Back in January, it was learnt that the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)Kamra has built and exported around 80 Mushaq aircraft during the last fiveyears. It was also learnt that that the manufacturing of JF-17 Thunderaircraft is underway which would be exported to Myanmar while an accord hasbeen signed to sell the jet fighters to Nigeria.
The report further added that Pakistan has strong potential tosignificantly raise its defense exports despite a global market dominatedby the U.S. and other Western countries.
“Ultimately, Pakistan’s access to some of these markets will be limited,”said Nazir Hussain, a professor of international relations at Islamabad’sQuaid-i-Azam University. Hussain was of the view that Pakistan will have torely on countries with budget constraints, such as in Africa.
