Article Posted on : - Dec 01, 2014

KARACHI (PTI): Pakistan's international defence exhibition began in Karachi on Monday with Russia making its first appearance at the four-day event this year, signalling improvement in defence cooperation between the two countries.

The 8th biennial 'IDEAS 2014' show is being attended by 136 international and 34 Pakistani companies.

An important aspect of the event will be an international defence seminar.

Russia will make its first appearance in the exhibition, indicating improvement in defence ties with Pakistan.

Russia had recently upgraded Pakistan to category B from D for arms sales, which means that Islamabad can now buy weapons from Russian market.

At the event, several high-level meetings among foreign delegates, key government officials and participants have been planned on the sidelines of the exhibition for forging alliances in defence production.

Some of the major indigenously developed products to be showcased included Pakistan's main battle tank Al-Khalid, JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft, armoured personnel carriers and missile boats.

The JF-17 Thunder jets are manufactured with China's cooperation.

Pakistan hopes to find international buyers for its defence products.