President Pervez Musharraf handed over 80 indigenously upgraded Al-Zarrar medium weight main battle tanks to Pakistan Army on Thursday, pledging that security and integrity of Pakistan would never be compromised.
Addressing an impressive handing over ceremony at Heavy Industry Taxila (HIT), 30 kilometres west of here, he said up-gradation of the old T-59 Chinese tanks is reflective of his government's determination to maintain minimum deterrence level both in the conventional and unconventional fields.
At the same ceremony the president also delivered an unspecified number of security vehicles, code-named Mohafiz, to the Pakistan Police. Military top brass and federal ministers were present at the ceremony.
"We do not want to involve ourselves in any arms race but minimum deterrence will be ensured for our security", the president said.
President Pervez Musharraf said the Al-Zarrar project, which has been completed with the Chinese technical assistance, symbolises very close co-operation with our time-tested and great friend China. "It is a shining example of friendship between the two countries", he said.
President Pervez Musharraf said it is a day of pride not only for the army but also for the whole nation. "It is a demonstration of maturity in indigenous production and our capability of self-reliance. The project has saved millions of dollars in foreign exchange."
He said the Al-Zarrar project is a great stride toward self-reliance and indigenisation, adding "maximum reliance on indigenisation gives us an affordable method of development and maintaining our forces".
The President said Pakistan is conscious of its priorities towards economic development and poverty alleviation, "but within these limitations the security of the country will never be compromised." The completion of Al-Zarrar project demonstrates Pakistan's indigenous defence production capability and self-reliance.
Pakistan remains deeply aware of the debilitating affects of the sanctions in the past, he said and added, "We follow a very cost effective and affordable solution, which is the hallmark of our military development. The strategy of minimum deterrence in conventional and unconventional fields is a very cost effective concept".
General Pervez Musharraf said if war is imposed on Pakistan the Armoured Corps, that is the punch of the Army, would deliver on a positive and victorious note. He said with the induction of modern tanks Pakistan Army, in near future, will be one of the best forces in the world.
The Heavy Industries Taxila achieved this milestone with plans to manufacture hundreds of Al-Zarrar tanks for the Armoured formations of the Pakistan Army. Al-Zarrar is said to be the most cost-effective tank. It falls in the category of a medium weight main battle tank.
No other tank in this weight is equipped with the lethal 125-mm smooth bore main gun. It is capable of accurately engaging all types of targets during all weather day and night operations.
Mohafiz security vehicles are based on indigenous design of HIT and have been produced at almost half the international cost of similar vehicles, giving Pakistan self-sufficiency in such vital equipment under the prevailing global security environments.
President General Pervez Musharraf also laid the foundation stone of Advance Armour Research and Development and Integration Complex as well as Heavy Industries Taxila Education Complex.
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