About DEPO
Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) has been established by the Government of Pakistan as a facilitation agency for all customer inquiries and to coordinate export of high quality defence products and services.
Introduction
We, in DEPO, are ready to address all your inquiries about Pakistan’s defence products and services and to assist you in meeting the requirements of your Armed Forces and Security Agencies.
Demand of the Pakistan Armed Forces are met by a large network of services, established in the country by public and private manufacturing and Research and Development (R&D) establishments, some of which have been meeting the needs of half a million strong Armed Forces, since over 50 years. Pakistan defence manufacturing sector is capable of meeting the bulk requirements of foreign customers in areas of medium, as well as, selected areas of high technology. Pakistan has the capability to offer high grade weapon systems like MBTs, basic & advance trainers and jet fighter aircraft, surface to air and anti tank missile systems, sophisticated surface and sub surface naval crafts, air delivered munitions, state of the art secure communication systems, small arms and a wide range of ammunition and explosives. All these products are backed up by ISO certification, aerospace standards of latest revision and R&D organizations, which are constantly working towards quality assurance and product improvement, thereby guaranteeing customer satisfaction.
DEPO, along with its major defence manufacturers, has been participating in various International Defence Exhibitions and, through pro-active marketing strategy, our defence products have earned an international recognition. Pakistan has been, at one time or the other, exporting aircraft, arms and ammunition to many countries around the globe. During the last two years, Pakistan has diversified its traditional and non-traditional exportable products and has started to explore new markets to expand its customer base.
DEPO, in collaboration with Pakistan’s defence sector, is committed to provide a progressive response to ongoing developments in the world and to meet the technical needs of present, with focus on future. Pakistan continues to update its defence production capabilities through innovative and cost effective technologies to continuously satisfy the changing requirements of our valued customers.
DEPO also organizes a biennial mega event International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) of Pakistan was conceived after the successful conduct of first International Pakistan Naval Defence Show 1999 which was held at Karachi from 22 – 25 February 1999. First IDEAS was held in 2000 and subsequent IDEAS were organized biennially.
Our Mission
Facilitate and Promote export of defence products and coordinate marketing efforts with defence manufacturing sector by establishing Pakistani Pavilion in international exhibitions abroad, holding of IDEAS in Pakistan and utilization of diplomatic channels.
Our Vision
As a national platform, DEPO will be the single most effective projection of Pakistan’s defence manufacturing / service sector abroad, striving for continuous increase in defence exports through facilitation, coordination and promotion.
Our Role
- DEPO role falls into three main categories i.e.
- Facilitation, Promotion, and Coordination
Facilitation
Customers :
Engagement of potential customers and process initial enquiries.
Visits to Pakistan / defence manufacturing installations.
Process soft term credit.
Defence Manufacturers :
Identifying markets for new products.
Collection / dissemination of marketing intelligence.
Exploring new business avenues like security, hunting weapons.
Promotion :
Preparing “Marketing Intelligence Data” for sharing with Pakistani defence manufacturers for market penetration.
participation in exhibitions by subsidizing for booking space, travel, publicity and advertisement.
Subsidizing promotional visits abroad.
Hosting visits of foreign delegations.
Assisting Defence Industries Association (DIA) of the private sector.
Engagement of consultants.
Project/promote Pakistan’s defence industry (products and services) in selected regions/target countries through:-
Participation in defence exhibitions abroad.
Promotional visits abroad.
Web sites, product catalogues/CDs, brochures and films.
Interviews/promotional articles/news letters.
Coordination :
Based on market survey/analysis recommend to defence manufacturers development of products with export potential.
Act as advisory organization to Ministry of Defence Production (MODP) for:-
Proposing policy options to enhance defence exports.
Arms export control policy review.
Export opportunities related to major defence purchases.
Extending invitations to senior defence officials of our target markets.
Engaging target countries through MOUs etc.
Aspects related to defence exports in inter ministerial defence committee meetings.
Participation in international defence exhibitions and marketing visits abroad.
Participate in Mutual collaboration committee meetings, Inter-trade balance committee meetings and Review group meetings with a view to coordinate defence export activities.
Coordinate the participation of defence manufacturers in selected defence exhibitions abroad either under Pakistan pavilion or DEPO stall with the support of EPB.
Advise and coordinate with defence manufacturers in improving their marketing departments and assist in evaluating and selecting sales representatives.
Major General Omar Maqbool, HI(M)
Director General, DEPO
International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is one of the mega regional events; biennially organized in Pakistan by Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP). A continuous success story since year 2000, IDEAS has emerged as an iconic event on the canvas of global defence exhibitions. Today, it is regarded as an established rendezvous for convergence of international defence exhibitors, delegates, security analysts and top level policy planners.
IDEAS is an ultimate platform to showcase the innovation in defence and security technologies of tomorrow; with a variety of weapon systems and equipment on display. A number of conferences and a capstone seminar are its hallmark events for evaluation of defence and security outlook of the future. The event also brings together international manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to explore new avenues of defence cooperation through joint ventures, outsourcing and collaboration.
IDEAS truly demonstrates a successful public-private partnership model. Its participation and international attendance is indeed manifestation of our deeply embedded and mutually beneficial relations with international fraternity. In addition, the high profile of visiting delegates adds to its prestige and stature. In fact, IDEAS is a shared vision for global peace, stability and prosperity.
IDEAS 2026 is scheduled to be held at Expo Centre, Karachi during November 2026.
I look forward to welcoming the distinguished participants.
Ministry of Defence Production
To meet the requirement of the Armed Forces through a prudent combination of procurement (local and import) and indigenous production with a continued effort to enhance the component of indigenous production and in the process export surplus capacity of our defence products to regional and friendly countries.