There is a tremendous potential in the country for indigenous defence production and manufacturing military hardware, said President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday (12 September).
In a panel interview with The News-Jang here at the Army House, he referred to successful manufacturing of main battle Al-Khalid tank, which he described as "the best king of the battle in the world".
He said it was produced with record time, as India produced failed Arjun and Vijanta tanks, which the Indian Army has refused to induct. "They spent two and a half decades on Vijanta and the project failed, and now the heavyweight Arjun is a failed machine."
He described Al-Khalid and Al-Zarar as cheapest and fine fighting machines, which can be termed more battle-worthy than the western tank. "I have talked to Turkish and Saudi leadership, as Al-Khalid mass production with a price tag of only $ 2 million, as compared to $ 7 million of any western tank, has started. The tank has already been inducted in the armoured corps."
The president also hailed successful test of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, as India failed to produce Light Combat Aircraft even in 20 years. "The JF-17 is put on trial within 6 to 8 years, and the aircraft can compete with any other aircraft of modern times." He added: "God has been very kind that we are maintaining deterrence and we can produce major military equipment on our own, though China helped in JF-17 Thunder aircraft".
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