ABOVE: China’s Poly-Technologies presented a first viewing of the “Shoulder Launched Rocket–with Low Collateral Damage.” The display and accompanying brochure call this a rocket, but it appears to be a recoilless launcher with a ballast of hundreds of plastic disks tossed backwards or some hybrid of the two. This allows for firing from enclosure, defined as approximately 2.5 meters cubed or larger. More importantly, the grenade has a low fragmentation/blast distance of 7 meters and is used as a breacher. www.poly.com.cn Photo by Dan Shea Courtesy Small Arms Defense Journal.

“Arms for Peace”

22 November, 2016–Karachi, Pakistan: the 10th edition of the International Defence Exhibition And Seminar (IDEAS) was held. SADJ’s last visit to Pakistan was for the 2014 IDEAS event, which was a rousing success. Show management filled the halls the last time, and expectations were high for a repeat performance.

IDEAS is one of Asia’s top military shows. Many shows are regional and focused solely on their country’s military needs. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s something for attendees and exhibitors to be aware of. For small arms showings and international prominence, our top Asian shows to attend are Defence & Security Thailand, DSA Malaysia, IDEAS in Pakistan and IndoDefence in Indonesia. We at SADJ have a number of other shows we consider very important, such as BRIDEX, TADTE and China Defence, but IDEAS stands out with more international prominence. Oddly enough, the United States has not participated very strongly in the IDEAS show; but the 2014 event was different. Some of the bigger U.S. companies are beginning to understand the prominence of IDEAS and are partnering with local distributors and having some presence. Smart smaller defense contractors should sense an opportunity here as well. In the 2012 edition, our small group was about the ownly U.S. attendees to be found. Of course, that U.S.-centric viewpoint is very short-sighted. The international community had a huge presence at IDEAS in 2012

China’s Poly-Technologies presented a first viewing of the “Shoulder Launched Rocket–with Low Collateral Damage.” The display and accompanying brochure call this a rocket, but it appears to be a recoilless launcher with a ballast of hundreds of plastic disks tossed backwards or some hybrid of the two. This allows for firing from enclosure, defined as approximately 2.5 meters cubed or larger. More importantly, the grenade has a low fragmentation/blast distance of 7 meters and is used as a breacher. www.poly.com.cn Photo by Dan Shea Courtesy Small Arms Defense Journal.

The POF “Eye” being examined by these Pakistan soldiers, is a round-the-corner handgun firing device for firing from cover. A much simpler version of the very successful and frequently copied Israeli “Cornershot,” and it is made in Pakistan of metal as opposed to plastic. Photo by Dan Shea Courtesy Small Arms Defense Journal.

A very interesting 40x53mm AGL was presented by Daudsons of Pakistan (DSA). This is a straight blowback operated system, which strips the round and link on the bolt’s forward travel, fires with link intact (so do most other AGLs, but they pull the round rearward first) and ejects case with link. Very interesting and well developed design, simplified from most others.

A very interesting 40x53mm AGL was presented by Daudsons of Pakistan (DSA). This is a straight blowback operated system, which strips the round and link on the bolt’s forward travel, fires with link intact (so do most other AGLs, but they pull the round rearward first) and ejects case with link. Very interesting and well developed design, simplified from most others.

Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) presented the Al-Zarrar main battle tank, a modernized version of the Chinese Type 59 MBT. HIT has done over 60 modifications to the tank, which is in service with the Pakistan Army. The main gun is a 125mm Smoothbore, with 7.62mm PKM and on top what was described as a “Dushka” or DSHK M. On closer examination, the 12.7x108mm machine gun is a Pakistan-made variant of the Chinese W85 piston-operated machine gun, with some DSHK M features such as muzzle break. Photo by Jason Wong.

Security guard on the docks near Karachi, with an old AK converted to 12 gauge semi-auto. Photo by Jason Wong.

MKEK from Turkey was featuring the MPT-76 (Milli piyade tüfegi), Turkey’s new National Infantry Rifle. In 7.62x51mm NATO caliber, it is designed as a modular system to cover almost every punishing environment. www.mkek.gov.tr Photo by Dan Shea Courtesy Small Arms Defense Journal.

MKEK from Turkey was featuring the MPT-76 (Milli piyade tüfegi), Turkey’s new National Infantry Rifle. In 7.62x51mm NATO caliber, it is designed as a modular system to cover almost every punishing environment. www.mkek.gov.tr Photo by Dan Shea Courtesy Small Arms Defense Journal.

PMTF (Pakistan Machine Tool Factory) has a new RPG-7 variant developed several years ago, along with their subcaliber training device. Photo by Dan Shea Courtesy Small Arms Defense Journal.

MKEK from Turkey presented their MK19 Mod 3 variant, called the AGL. This is in 40x53mm caliber, and MKEK has made a sale of approximately 900 units to the Pakistan military. Photo by Dan Shea Courtesy Small Arms Defense Journal.