POF, French firm signs MOU on rocket technology

Pakistan Ordnance Factories and a French company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on upgrading the capabilities of 122 mm rockets used by the Pakistani armed forces on the sidelines of the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition which opened in East London Tuesday.

The MOU was signed on behalf of POF by its chairman Lt.General Shujaat Zamir Dar and by David Quancard, president, Roxel company, which is a leading French company dealing in rocket technology.

Federal Minister for Defence Production Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi was also present on the occasion.

The contract when materialised will help Pakistan armed forces to enhance the firing range of the present stock of 122 mm rockets in its arsenal from its current range of  20 kilometres to 40 km and beyond.

The French company chief sales executive Francis Rodriguez speaking to the media said the present Pakistani rockets are equipped with the Russian technology and are quite outdated and once actual agreement is signed with his company, the induction of new technology will not only increase the range but make the weapon more lethal and effective.

He said POF is manufacturing defence equipment of international standard and his company trust the Pakistan technology and  is happy to assist POF in bringning further new advancements.

Rodriguez said since the induction of a democratic government in Pakistan, its relations with France has deepened and both President Asif Ali Zardari and Nicholas Sarkozy are keen to see that these are further consolidated in all fields particularly in the defence sector.

France is already a major defence supplier to Pakistan including Mirage warplanes and submarines and other equipment for its forces.