KARACHI: The JF-17 Thunder, the fighter jet that downed Indian aircraft flown by Abhinandan Varthaman in February 2019, is part of the display at the 11th edition of International Defense Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2022 currently underway at the Karachi Expo Centre.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) adopted the JF-17 second generation class of aircraft in 2015. In 2007, the military began using the first edition. China and Pakistan worked together to create the aircraft at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra.
“It is the same JF-17 Thunder (on display) that struck Abhinandan’s aircraft,” said a company representative while giving a briefing at the event on Wednesday. “It is the second generation of the series. Work is underway on the third-generation model and it is expected to be adopted by the PAF soon.”
The organizers claimed that IDEAS 2022 has reached new heights this year in terms of space, reservations, exhibitors, and delegates from both domestic and foreign companies.
More than 500 exhibitors from Turkey, China, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Far East are showcasing their goods at the Karachi Expo Centre, which is fully booked. Local businesses occupy 40% of the stalls, while overseas businesses have reserved nearly 60% of them.
Besides trade-oriented visitors, more than 285 high level delegates from 64 countries are expected to pay a visit to the exhibition.
IDEAS is a regional event that is organized biennially by Defense Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) in Pakistan.
Since its inception in 2000, IDEAS has emerged as an international rendezvous for defense manufacturers, entrepreneurs, research and development specialists, financial experts, and top-level policy makers to promote cooperation, knowledge sharing and support ventures in the field of defense. According to details, Pakistan is an export partner of more than 60 countries.
