Pakistan brings expertise to BRIDEX

FOR those who do not wish to miss the opportunity of seeing state-of-the-art defence and security equipment and systems, then BRIDEX 2009 is the event that you should go.

The Second Brunei International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BRIDEX 2009), considered as one of the region's premier defence and security events, is scheduled to be held from August 12 to 15, at the new exhibition and convention centre at Jerudong. The centre is located not far from the Royal Brunei Polo & Riding Club.

BRIDEX 2009, organised by Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS) with the full support of the Ministry of Defence (MinDef), will see top defence companies from all over the world showcasing their high-tech products and expertise that range from command and control systems and software, data and intelligence systems, missiles and weapon systems right up to warships and aircrafts.

One of the confirmed exhibitors is Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) which is the largest defence industrial complex in Pakistan. Under the control of Pakistan's Ministry of Defence Production, POF produces conventional arms and ammunition to international standards.

POF was established in 1951 and expanded into a sprawling complex of 14 mainstream industries and six commercial subsidiaries. POF's main manufacturing facilities are located at Wah Cantt, situated about 45km from Islamabad.

The large complexes at Wah comprise the Weapons Factory, Machine Gun Factory, Small Arms Ammunition Factory, Tank Ammunition Factory, Medium Artillery Ammunition Factory, Heavy Artillery Ammunition Factory, Brass Mill, Steel Foundry, Tungsten Carbide Factory, Tungsten Alloy Factory, Explosives Factory, Propellants Factory, Filling Factory, and Clothing Factory for Uniforms

POF's range of products include a variety of NATO calibre infantry weapons and ammunition for tanks, artillery, aircraft and anti-aircraft as well as rockets, bombs, pyrotechnics, mortar shells, grenades and a number of ordnance and commercial products.

In addition to meeting the demands of Pakistan defence forces, POF products are in service with over 30 countries. POF also provides specialised training in courses related to armament production in its Institute of Technology equipped with some of the latest simulation and training aids. "We produce Western technology equipment and systems at Asian prices," said a POF official.

The staging of the exhibition is also expected to serve as a platform for the exhibitors to display the operational capability of their equipment to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police

Force (RBPF), Royal Customs and Excise, Immigration and National Registration and other government enforcement agencies. (ALA)

The Brunei Times