Pakistan’s FIRST-EVER Defence Exhibition.

The Tri-Service International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, IDEAS 2000, is all geared to set off on 14 November 2000, at Karachi Expo Centre. The site selection for the biggest international trade show in the history of Pakistan has been made keeping in mind the hospitality needs of the delegates, participants and visitors.

IDEAS 2000 marks the dawn of a new era for the defence industry of Pakistan. An international market has been created for the first time within Pakistan and the aim is to attract foreign buyers and further enhance technological advancement in the local defence industry.

The successfully created networking platform for direct interaction, not just between international buyers and sellers, but also between multi-national industry professionals, would pave the way for mutual understandings and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and many other nations.

The presence of delegates from more than 40 countries with a combined procurement budget of over 20 billion dollars, prides IDEAS 2000 and its organizers for being the initiators in bringing together the nations with their geopolitical significance from across the globe. IDEAS  will emerge as a guiding light for the friendly nations in order to find common interests and possible areas of cooperation, to benefit from each other's strengths and to cultivate new relationships.

The 200 companies showcasing their products in IDEAS 2000 including 120 foreign companies willing to explore new frontiers of doing business, would find their participation as one of the most promising and rewarding ventures. CATIC, CEIEC, NORINCO and CSTC representing China, Thomson, Sagem, Noricum, DCN International Sully and Alcatel from France, Parsan, Aselsan and MKEK from Turkey, Kazan Helicopters, Promexpo and Rostvertol representing Russia, Progress and Interlink from Ukraine together with Romexpo, Romtehnica, RomArm, Aerofina, Arsenalul Armatei, Danger, Stimpex and Uzinexport representing Romania are some of the significant companies highlighting the exhibition.

The plans have started to transform from paper to reality, shaping up the premise in accordance to meet any small international exhibition standards. Covering a total area of almost 6,000 sq. meters, each of the three exhibition halls will accommodate a large number of stalls where Hall-1 mainly consists of the companies from European Union, as well as other companies participating from the countries in America, Far East and the Middle East. The Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Defence have designated Hall-2 as Pakistan Pavilion, serving the local defence related manufacturers for exhibiting their products. Hall-3 serves to the companies participating in IDEAS from China, Turkey and Ukraine.

In addition to the halls, the Open Air Display Area of 20,000 sq. meters will allow the heavy industry to exhibit their products, along with the Mobility Display of tracked and wheeled vehicles like APCs and Tanks. This Mobility Display will take place daily during the exhibition. A Mock Battle Display, performed by a unit of Infantry Regiment, will add to the Mobility Display with the action and Pakistan Army's manpower capability in its true essence.

In addition to the Mobility Display at the exhibition site, a unique and powerful live weapon firing demonstration, scheduled on 17 November at the PAF Tactical Range Sonmiani, will be the climax of the exhibition. Formations of

F-16s, F-7Ps and F-6s will display their FirePower capabilities and Aerial manoeuvres at the firing demonstration. Mirages, upgraded in collaboration with SAGEM of France, would also display their lately acquired precision and potentials. Moreover, K-8 (Jet Trainer) — indigenously built in collaboration with China, Super Mushak (Primary Trainer) — an upgraded version of Mushak (MFI-17) built in Pakistan in collaboration with SAAB, and indigenously developed Drones would also add to the aerial display.

The tracked and wheeled heavy artillery and land based weapons including T-85 & T-72 tanks  and Mortar guns, as well as, ANZA and  Baktar Shikan missiles would illustrate the indigenous technological achievements of Pakistan's prospering armament industry by firing on their respective targets. A demonstration of artillery guns by companies from Kazakhstan would also be a part of this culminating event.

The four days have been planned to provide the attendees with the maximum opportunity to interact with each other. To serve this purpose, meetings between the delegates and exhibitors are being scheduled and will be arranged in the specifically designed and designated Meeting Chalets inside each hall.

Another highlight of IDEAS  2000 is the International Defence Conference, being held concurrently with the exhibition on the second and third day. This two-day conference will present a unique international outlook based on the themes varying from geopolitical to technical product presentations.

During the two days of conference, strategic, defence, operational and tactical issues will be discussed in light of the geopolitical perspectives. Eminent speakers from throughout the world will provide a comprehensive view on the confluence of procurement behaviour and influence of technology on development of defence equipment. Moreover, the specially designed plenary sessions and workshops will allow maximum interaction between the speakers and participants.

A static display at the Naval Dockyard will be held in concurrence with the exhibition. Agosta 90-B Submarine — a result of the technology transfer pact between the Pakistani and French Governments. besides the other key Naval Ships, Midget Submarines, Missile Boats and Frigates, that are indigenously manufactured, will be part of the display.

In addition to the ongoing events, being held simultaneously with the exhibition, i.e., the Reception being hosted by the Governor of Sindh, Gala Night and Cultural Show, Firing Demonstration at Sonmiani and the Static Display of Naval Fleet, some side events and activities have also been arranged to introduce Pakistan in a multi-dimensional manner. These include cultural festivities, roadside theatres, cultural handicraft, painting exhibitions and much more. As the Official Tour Operator, Rakaposhi Tours will be responsible for providing services from ground handling, hotel reservation and transport arrangements to the designing of special tours and packages for the delegates and participants of IDEAS 2000.

Comprehensive television reports will be prepared by the international electronic and print media and coverage will be provided for reviewing and summing up of the activities taking place during IDEAS 2000. Also, a documentary film will add to the footage being provided by the national television channel. In addition to the coverage being provided by the National Television, exclusive interviews of the delegates and prominent exhibitors will be conducted. This, as a whole, will highlight the friendly ties of Pakistan with the other nations, as well as the geopolitical importance of Pakistan in the region.

IDEAS 2000 will serve as a milestone on national and international grounds in enhancing the pace for national development and promotion of exports while levelling the long road to mutual understanding and global cooperation.