KARACHI: The third-generation Haider tank was in the spotlight on Tuesday as Pakistan’s premier defense exhibition, IDEAS, kicked off in Karachi, hosting 550 exhibitors, including 340 international defense companies, as well as 350 civilian and military officials from 55 countries.

IDEAS has been held biennially since 2000 and has since grown into a key event for the Pakistani defense sector. 

This year’s exhibition, running from Nov. 19-22 at the Karachi Expo Center, is showcasing a wide range of modern and traditional defense equipment, weapons systems and vehicles.

“This tank is locally produced in Pakistan at the Heavy Industry Taxila in collaboration with our local and international technology partners,” Anza Aqeel, Assistant Director Heavy Industry Taxila, told Arab News, explaining that Haider had auto-tracking, a remote-control weapon system and a 470-kilometer cruising range.

“It has the capability of firing in both the day and night. It can fire up to eight rounds per minute due to its autoloading capability.”

Aqeel said the Haider tank was of export quality, with production currently underway.

 “This tank has an auto tracker installed and both the gunner and commander can fire using the auto tracker,” he added.

The second day of the exhibition, Wednesday, will see the launch of the Shahpar-III drone, the third generation of the GIDS Shahpar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) built by Global Industrial Defense Solutions of Pakistan and used by the Pakistani military.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Pakistan’s volume of defense exports was not yet aligned with its potential.

“Though Pakistan is now exporting some high-tech products to more than 60 countries, the volume of exports is not at par with its actual potential,” Asif said.

“A crucial factor, however, has been the limited involvement of the private sector in defense production and activity.”

“In order to achieve this objective, I will stress upon the integration of public and private defense industry to achieve maximum results,” Asif added. “New ideas, entrepreneurship and management skills mastered by the private sector need to be co-opted with the public sector defense industry.”

This year’s event also features a “Startups Pavilion” designed to offer international exposure to young Pakistani entrepreneurs and give them an opportunity to showcase new projects and technologies.

JAKARTA: Saudi Arabia lost 2-0 in Indonesia on Tuesday to leave hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in serious doubt.

Just six points in six games in Group C and no goals in the last four matches makes for depressing reading for head coach Herve Renard. 

A goal in each half from Marselino Ferdinan had 60,000-plus fans in Jakarta on their feet and it will not have gone unnoticed by Renard — in his second game back in charge — that this creative talent made a difference just as his, Salem Al-Dawsari, was missing through injury.

And he was missed. Without the 2022 Asian Player of the Year, Saudi Arabia may have had the majority of the ball, but they created little going forward and were hit multiple times by the rapid counters of Indonesia.

Renard said: “Indonesia deserved to win this game. We now have four games and it will be tough and it will be tough for everybody. I accept the challenge to take Saudi Arabia to the World Cup; it doesn’t matter which way but we have to go to the World Cup.”

In the opening exchanges there was a white wave and Saudi Arabia could count themselves lucky that they were not at least a goal down inside the first 10 minutes.

Indeed, the hosts hit the post in the opening minute as Marselino could not quite connect with a right-sided cross from Ivar Jenner and all watched as the ball came back off the woodwork. 

Rafael Struick had another great chance in the ninth minute, running on to a Thom Haye ball over the top but with just the goalkeeper to beat, Ahmed Al-Kassar made the save. 

The Green Falcons thought they had an advantage midway through the first half. Justin Hubner’s leaping challenge against Mohammed Al-Qahtani succeeded in getting the ball but also ended with his boot in the face of the young Al-Hilal star. When the referee went to the pitchside monitor, the home fans feared the worst but, in the end, a yellow card was shown.

If that was a little fortunate for Indonesia, the lead they took after 32 minutes was deserved.

Saudi Arabia, already aggrieved at a couple of decisions, felt that they should have been given a penalty and then watched in horror as the hosts broke forward. Ragnar Oratmangoen pulled the ball back for Marselino standing near the penalty spot and the Oxford United player took his time, twisted and turned and then curled home into the top corner.

The referee ignored the protests from the men in green and seconds after the restart, Struick was through on goal again but just could not quite get the final touch. 

Just before the break Indonesia went close again with Calvin Verdonk volleying just wide from the left. Firas Al-Buraikan then had a rare sight of goal but his shot on the turn was blocked.

Renard would have been the happier of the two coaches to hear the half-time whistle, but both he and his opposite number Shin Tae-yong knew there was a long way to go.

Saudi Arabia started brightly after the break and put pressure on the hosts without creating real chances and it was another breakaway that led to Indonesia’s second.

Verdonk broke down the right and fed Marselino inside the area. His first attempt was blocked by Ali Al-Bulaihi but fell kindly for the Oxford star who then lifted the ball over Al-Kassar into the net.

As they had to, Saudi Arabia started to push forward more and more. Al-Bulaihi headed just over from close range and then the lively Abdullah Al-Hamdan nodded just wide with a fine attempt that had goalkeeper Maarten Paes scrambling across his line. Soon after, the same forward headed straight into the arms of the No. 1.

There were not many more chances to come, though Mohamed Kanno shot against the bar, and the game ended with a flurry of cards, including a second yellow for Hubner.

Saudi Arabia will argue that the defender should have seen red long before but, in truth, they were second best for too much of the match.

Now, the race for the second of the automatic places behind leaders Japan, way ahead on 16 points, could not be tighter with four teams on six and one of those sides, Australia, facing Bahrain later on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia will be hoping for a favor and, with just one win in six, they need all the help they can get.