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Pakistani State owned weapons manufacturer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) is a major firearms and a defence contractor 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]
Official logo of Pakistan Ordnance Factories | |
Native name | Urdu: پاکستان آرڈیننس فیکٹریاں |
|---|---|
| Company type | State-owned enterprise |
| Industry | Firearms, Defense, Machinery |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Lt General Syed Tahir Hameed Shah (Chairman) |
| Products | Pistols, Rifles, Submachine gun, Machine gun, Shotguns, Munitions, Explosives, Machine tools |
| Owner | MoDP |
Number of employees | >27,000 |
| Website | www.pof.gov.pk POF Youtube Channel |
The POF was founded by the Government of Pakistan with early collaboration from the former British Royal Ordnance Factory in 1951. The POF engineers, develops, produces, manufactures, and promotes a wide range of different types of infantry and special-purpose weapons, explosives, ammunition, mortars, rockets, and the military gear for Pakistan's military.[3] The POF is owned and sponsored by the Ministry of Defence Production whose corporate leadership comes from a deputation by the Army GHQ of the Pakistan Army.[4] The POF is the earliest and one of the largest military corporations in Pakistan, and later influenced many other military corporations in the Pakistan Armed Forces.[5]
The POF produces ammunition that meets requirements set by NATO specification.[5] Apart from military works, the POF also serves the civilian law enforcement agencies, Civil Armed Forces, and private security markets nationwide.[1]
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]
Located 45 km 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 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]
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.
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.[26]
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