'Outdated manufacturing processes' force POF to turn down $500m worth of orders

State-owned Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) has requested a government grant of USD250 million to modernise its ageing facilities and help meet a growing production backlog, Jane's has learnt.

The POF made the recommendation to the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production on 9 March, and stated that "outdated manufacturing processes" has so far caused the company to turn away production orders worth around USD500 million.

Lieutenant General Javed Ashraf, chairman of the committee, told Jane's on 10 March that the money is needed quickly.

"A lot of the POF's plants are ageing and they need to be replaced," he said. "The POF has requested this money based on an estimate that they put forward to the defence committee.

Lt Gen Ashraf said that the low production rate of the POF's present facilities meant that the company has not been able to meet contractual deadlines and has had to refuse other work.