By S.M. Inam
At the World Defence Show in Riyadh, Pakistan has made clear that it no longer wishes to be viewed as a passive or peripheral participant in the global security marketplace. Among nearly 900 exhibitors from 80 countries, the country’s defence manufacturers have presented themselves not merely as suppliers to a domestic army, but as confident actors with ambitions that extend well beyond national borders. The displays are assertive, technically detailed, and carefully curated to signal that Pakistan is conscious of both the strategic and commercial stakes in a region increasingly defined by complex rivalries, emerging technologies, and shifting alliances.
Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS), Heavy Industries Taxila, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, and the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation form the core of this presence. Their stalls offered a sweeping catalogue of equipment spanning land, naval, and air operations, highlighting systems that range from drones and artillery to missile platforms and integrated battlefield technologies. The Fatah-II missile, described by officials as having reinforced Pakistan’s defensive posture in recent operations, was one of the marquee exhibits, alongside unmanned systems designed for reconnaissance, strike, and electronic warfare. For observers, the emphasis was unmistakable: Pakistan is signaling its transition from reliance on imported technology toward developing indigenous capabilities capable of competing on an international stage.
Beyond the technical specifications and demonstrations, the exhibition functions as a strategic statement. In a world increasingly defined by the reconfiguration of alliances, supply chains, and regional influence, Pakistan appears keen to project technological self-reliance and export credibility simultaneously. The steady flow of foreign delegations and defence specialists through its exhibition spaces underscores a level of international curiosity that would have seemed improbable a decade ago. Islamabad’s broader message seems to be that its defence industrial base is evolving from a domestic necessity into a sector capable of outward engagement, with both commercial and geopolitical implications.
Among the most eye-catching announcements at the 2026 show was GIDS’s unveiling of the hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile system, branded “SMASH.” According to company statements, the missile combines extreme velocity with advanced guidance systems and a steep terminal trajectory designed to complicate interception. It is claimed to be capable of striking both maritime and land targets, with a land-attack variant reportedly carrying a 444-kilogram warhead. If these specifications are verified, SMASH would place Pakistan among a small group of countries exploring hypersonic technology, an area traditionally dominated by a few advanced industrial powers. The system represents not only an assertion of capability but a strategic signaling tool, demonstrating that Islamabad intends to remain a player in the region’s fast-evolving defence landscape.
Interest in Pakistan’s defence products, however, has not been confined to Riyadh. Earlier exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates reportedly generated international enquiries for the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, with some sales agreements concluded. Over the years, Pakistan has exported Mushshak and Super Mushshak training aircraft, Al-Khalid and Al-Zarrar tanks, artillery systems, rocket platforms, various missiles, drones, and small arms. These offerings are consistently framed as cost-effective, field-tested, and operationally reliable, targeting states seeking modernization without the financial or logistical burdens associated with western suppliers. In a crowded market where reputation and reliability are decisive, Pakistan emphasizes its experience in real-world conditions, underscoring that its products are battle-proven rather than theoretical.
Sustaining this momentum, however, will demand more than exhibition-floor attention or trade-show curiosity. Continued investment in research and development, adherence to export regulations, and strategic navigation of the political sensitivities inherent in the global arms trade are essential. Success in this sector is rarely immediate; credibility is earned slowly, through consistent delivery, technical excellence, and political prudence. Yet the trajectory is unmistakable: Pakistan is asserting itself not simply as a consumer of military technology but as a producer and potential exporter with a growing profile on the international stage.
The World Defence Show in Riyadh was therefore more than a trade fair. It was a stage on which Pakistan’s ambitions were made tangible, where industrial confidence intersected with strategic signaling. From missiles to fighter jets, drones to tanks, the displays conveyed a single idea with quiet clarity: the country’s defence industry is evolving, outward-looking, and capable of competing in an arena long dominated by more established powers. For Pakistan, the challenge now is to translate this visibility into sustained credibility, investment, and operational excellence—a task that will define the country’s standing as a technological and strategic actor in the decades to come.
(The writer is a former government officer and a senior analyst on national and international affairs, can be reached at inam@metro-morning.com)
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