The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) is a major firearms and a defencecontractor headquartered in Wah Cantt, Punjab, Pakistan.[1] Described as "the largest defence industrial complex under the Ministry of Defence Production, producing conventional arms and ammunition to the international standards" by the Government of Pakistan.[2]
During their colonial rule, the British built sixteen ordnance factories in the British Raj, most of which were inherited by India. Pakistan's first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, issued a directive within four months of the formation/creation of Pakistan to establish an ordnance factory in collaboration with British Royal Ordnance Factory to manufacture 0.303 calibre rifles. In December 1951 Pakistan's second Prime Minister, Khawaja Nazimuddin, inaugurated the first four POF workshops in the small town of Wah Cantonment.[6]
Background
Located 45km from Islamabad and with main manufacturing facilities at Wah Cantonment, POF is a sprawling complex of fourteen production units and six subsidiaries producing conventional arms and ammunition. Research and development projects have been undertaken to minimise dependence on foreign suppliers. Efforts have been made towards self-reliance through innovation and indigenisation, for achieving the following:
1. Optimal utilisation of surplus capacity of POF. 2. Generation of funds to supplement budget grant. 3. Participative collaboration with the private sector. 4. Enhancing exports.
POF uses technology and equipment that has been acquired from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and China. The factories in POF employ some of the latest state of the art processes, including computerised numerical controlled machines and flexible Manufacturing systems for the production of precision components.
A Stamp was also issued by Pakistan Post on the occasion of golden jubilee of POF (Dt. 28 December 2001) to honour the country's largest defence manufacturing unit's services.[7]
POF has been awarded standards by the International Organization for Standardization. These include ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, and ISO 17025 for meeting the general requirements for Competence of Test and Calibration Laboratories. In 2005, P.O.F was also awarded with safety and health environment standard OHSAS 18001.
During a visit to POF, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz made the following tribute:
"POF is an island of excellence for Pakistan. POF and its employees have played a critical and valuable role in bolstering Pakistan’s defence. We are all proud of what you have achieved. I wish you continued success in the future."
Products
A variety of grenades, artillery shells, mortar shells and other ammunition produced by POF, on display at the IDEAS 2008 Defence Exhibition in Karachi, Pakistan.
POF produce approximately 70 major products for supply to the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force. The main products include automatic rifles, Pistols, light/medium/heavy machine guns, a wide range of mortar and artillery ammunition, aircraft and anti-aircraft ammunition, tank and anti-tank ammunition, bombs, grenades, land mines, pyrotechnics, small ammunition, rockets, military & commercial explosives & propellants and signal stores. [8]
HK G3 – 7.62×51mm calibre battle rifle, produced under license. Variants produced: G3A3, G3P4.[9]
BW-20 – 7.62×51mm calibre new indigenous battle rifle & replacement of HK G3. Currently in testing for pitch for Pakistan Army next-generation rifle requirements. BW-20 has some similarities with the G3 (around 30%) with the intention to keep manufacturing costs low, however the BW-20 is not an upgrade of the G3. It is a new rifle with an apparent focus on modularity and interchangeability of parts. POF is also reportedly working on 5.56×45 mm and 7.62×39 mm versions of the BW-20.
CW-39 – 7.62×39mm calibre new indigenous assault rifle & replacement of Type 56. Currently in testing for pitch for Pakistan Army next-generation rifle requirements. Design is based on BW-20 and will be compatible with AK magazines. POF will likely pitch the 7.62×39 mm version to both the Pakistan Army and the Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) paramilitary units as service adoption for the cartridge grows.
CW-56 – 5.56×45mm calibre new indigenous assault rifle which is based on BW-20 rifle.
Next-Generation Rifle Program – In 2015, the Pakistan Army issued a tender for a new-generation assault rifle. It had tested many designs from all over the world, including the FN SCAR, Beretta ARX200, CZ BREN 2, AK-103 and others. In the end, however, the Army did not select any of the 7.62×51 mm designs for local adoption. There were reports of Pakistan requesting the AK-103 from Russia, but the status of that program is unclear. Ultimately, it seems that POF was given the greenlight to design an original rifle and as a result, the 7.62×51 mm BW-20 & 7.62×39 mm CW-39 new rifles were introduced and under initial production. Part of the reason seems to stem from a sense that none of the foreign designs substantially improved upon the G3 in terms of its accuracy and durability. This is not to say the other rifles were not good, but the added improvement they offered may not have justified the total cost of adopting and locally manufacturing a foreign design.[10]
PK-18 – 7.62×51mm calibre (Based on ArmaLite AR-10A), status is unclear.[11]
PK-21 – 7.62×39mm calibre (Based on AK-103), status is unclear.[11]
POF Eye is a special-purpose hand-held weapon system similar in concept to the CornerShot that can fire weapons around corners. It was first revealed at the 5th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2008), held at the Karachi Expo Centre in November 2008. It is designed for SWAT and special forces teams in hostile situations, particularly counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations. It allows its operator to both see and attack an armed target without exposing the operator to counter-attack.
G3S – 7.62×51mm calibre civilian semi auto irreversible version of the G3A3, with shorter barrel length.[15]
Exports
In addition to meeting the demands of Pakistan Defense Forces, POF products are in service with over 40 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. Ammunition and rifles have been exported to countries such as Iraq, Croatia and Afghanistan for their respective military establishments.
POF specializes in the manufacturing of commercial explosives, hunting ammunition and possesses extensive facilities for the manufacture of brass, copper and aluminum ingots. A state of the art garments factory, manufactures military uniforms and can also cater for the needs of the civil sector.[16]
As of post 2010s, Pakistan has been aiming to push ahead with its export market but facing difficulties due to international guidelines enforced by the United Nations.[17]
In 2017, the POF announced it will be opening a branch in the United Arab Emirates and targeting Middle Eastern markets where it will cater not only the needs of the host country, but throughout much of the Middle East where demands are high.[18][19]
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, POF alleged to have provided arms and ammunition to Ukrainian Military's. The various type of ammunition provided are 122mm Yarmuk HE-Frag rockets,[20][21] 122mm howitzer shells,[22] 155mm artillery shells, M4A2 propelling bag charges, M82 primers, PDM fuses,[23] M44A2 120mm HE mortar bombs,[24] 130mm shells, 40mm RPG7 HEAT ammo, 12.7×99 MM armor piercing cartridges, 12.7×108 mm bullets, and 7.62×54mm bullets.[25]
On 21 August 2008, POF's industrial complex was the target of twin suicide bombings by the Tehrik-i-Taliban; 68 people were killed and 81 injured in the attack.[27]
1 2 Haider, Mateen (28 November 2014). "Made in Pakistan". Dawn newspapers, 2014. Dawn newspapers. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
↑ Pakistan Ordnance Factories. "About Us". Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
↑ "NTI on POF". Nuclear Threat Initiatives. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
↑ "Pakistan Ordnance Factories". Archived from the original on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011., Homepage, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Retrieved 23 October 2016
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