Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that Pakistan is keen to increase self-reliance in the defence sector and promote industrial cooperation with reliable partners. According to him, measures related to defence cooperation will be taken forward under domestic and international laws and regulations.
The Defence Minister said this in his statement after signing the Badr Memorandum of Understanding between Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar and Indonesia. He described the agreement as a reflection of the four countries’ shared commitment to regional peace and stability.
According to Khawaja Asif, Pakistan will explore opportunities for technology transfer, joint production and industrial cooperation in the defence industry while leveraging the capabilities of partner countries. He also stressed the importance of joint research and development, training exchanges and increasing the productivity of the defence sector.
The Badr MoU was signed on Wednesday in the Qatari capital, Doha. It involves relevant defence institutions of Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar and Indonesia. The agreement aims to expand cooperation in the production of defence equipment, technical training, research and development and enhancement of defence capabilities.
Through this cooperation, the four countries will try to combine the capabilities of their defence industries and create opportunities for joint projects. However, the practical results of the agreement will depend on future projects, investments, technology exchange and cooperation between the relevant institutions.
Defence industrial cooperation is also important for Pakistan because increasing local production capacity and technical expertise can help reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the defence industry. Technology transfer, research and development of local industry will be key factors in achieving this goal.
Khawaja Asif clarified that Pakistan will pursue defence cooperation in accordance with relevant legal requirements. Thus, the Badr MoU provides a framework for expanding defence industrial partnership between the four countries, while its success will be measured by practical progress.
