RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday visited Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT).

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS was chief guest at the handing over ceremony of Tank Al Khalid-1 to Armoured Corps Regiment. Tank Al Khalid-1 is a joint venture with China and Ukraine.

During the ceremony Tank Al Khalid-1 displayed some of its outstanding capabilities including mobility, speed, bi-axis gun stabilization of the control system and use of smoke screen to mask movement. Al Khalid-1 will be handed over to formations, which have critical and decisive role during war.

On the occasion, HIT Chairman Major General Syed Aamer Raza highlighted the ongoing projects, achievements of HIT and its contributions in defence industry by pursuing self-reliance.

Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed his confidence, satisfaction and appreciation for HIT's state of the art products and capabilities.

He lauded the efforts of HIT towards attainment of self reliance and manufacturing of world class indigenous defense products, direly needed in evolving security environment.

Reiterating the need for bolstering defence and operational preparedness, the Army Chief said that our defence preparation and operational readiness is to ensure peace within and peace without. However, if provoked, we shall respond and respond with all our might.