By Uzma Ehtasham
The prominence of Pakistani defence manufacturers at the World Defense Show in Riyadh is not simply a matter of display space or diplomatic choreography. It signals a deeper shift in how Pakistan is perceived within the global arms market – and perhaps more importantly, how it sees itself. The Riyadh exhibition, sprawling across some 900 stalls representing 80 countries, is a reminder of how crowded and unforgiving the international defence industry has become. Competition is no longer limited to a handful of traditional powers. Established Western producers, emerging Asian manufacturers and regional players now compete fiercely for contracts in markets shaped by budget constraints, security anxieties and fast-moving technological change. In that environment, attention is not given lightly.
That Pakistani firms have drawn sustained interest from visiting delegations and defence specialists suggests that they are being judged increasingly on technical capability and commercial competitiveness, rather than on geopolitical alignment alone. Major state-linked entities – including Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS), Heavy Industries Taxila, Pakistan Ordnance Factories and the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation – have showcased an array of land, air and naval systems. The breadth of the portfolio matters. It reflects a defence ecosystem that has gradually moved beyond basic licensed production to more integrated design, adaptation and systems development. Pakistan’s manufacturers are no longer presenting isolated platforms, but a layered offering that ranges from armored vehicles and artillery systems to advanced missiles and avionics.
Among the most closely watched unveilings was GIDS’s “SMASH” hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile. Marketed as capable of striking both maritime and land-based targets, the system is described as combining high velocity with advanced guidance and a near-vertical terminal attack profile. In an era when missile defence systems are becoming more sophisticated and more widely deployed, such claims are intended to convey survivability and penetration capability. The reported land-attack configuration, carrying a 444kg warhead, points to an ambition to compete in a segment historically dominated by a small group of technologically advanced producers. The symbolism is significant. Hypersonic systems have become shorthand for the next frontier in military technology, associated with speed, unpredictability and strategic leverage.
By entering that conversation, Pakistan is signaling not just incremental progress but a desire to operate at the cutting edge of contemporary defence innovation. Whether such systems ultimately reshape procurement decisions will depend on rigorous testing, transparency and long-term reliability. Yet the very act of presenting them on this stage reflects growing industrial confidence. This confidence is not without foundation. In recent years, Pakistan has expanded its defence exports across multiple categories. The JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, co-developed with China, has attracted interest at air shows in the Gulf and beyond, with reported sales agreements underscoring its appeal as a cost-effective multirole platform.
Pakistan has also exported trainer aircraft, tanks such as the Al-Khalid and Al-Zarrar, artillery pieces, rocket systems, missile variants, unmanned aerial vehicles and small arms. The pitch has been consistent: affordability, operational reliability and systems that have been field-tested. For many mid-tier states facing volatile security environments, Western platforms can be prohibitively expensive, not only in acquisition but in maintenance and lifecycle costs. Russian alternatives, meanwhile, have been affected by supply chain disruptions and geopolitical pressures. In that context, Pakistan positions itself as offering credible capability without strategic overdependence. Credibility, however, is a fragile asset. The global defence marketplace is shaped as much by reputation as by raw performance metrics.
Equipment that functions effectively under operational conditions earns reputational capital that can open doors to new markets. Conversely, high-profile technical failures or opaque contracting practices can quickly erode trust. For Pakistan’s manufacturers, maintaining rigorous quality assurance standards and transparent compliance with international export controls will be as critical as technological innovation. What is unfolding in Riyadh therefore reflects more than product launches and networking opportunities. It illustrates a gradual recalibration of Pakistan’s strategic identity. For decades, the country was largely dependent on imports to meet its defence needs, navigating supply constraints and sanctions regimes that exposed vulnerabilities in times of political tension. The pursuit of greater self-reliance became not just an economic objective but a strategic necessity.
Over time, that necessity fostered domestic industrial capacity. From licensed production to incremental upgrades and indigenous design modifications, the ecosystem matured. Today’s exhibition presence suggests that Pakistan is no longer content with self-sufficiency alone. It seeks to convert domestic capability into export leverage, integrating defence manufacturing into a broader economic and diplomatic strategy. Defence exhibitions of this scale serve multiple purposes. They are commercial marketplaces, certainly, but they are also arenas of signaling. Participation conveys industrial maturity and strategic intent. It reassures potential buyers that the supplier is committed to long-term engagement. For Pakistan, visibility in Riyadh – at an event hosted by a key regional actor investing heavily in defence diversification – carries particular weight.
(The writer is a public health professional, journalist, and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
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