When I announced to my wife that I'd be going to visit IDEAS, she beamed with excitement and declared that she'd drop off our toddler at her mother's place and gladly accompany me to check out the latest trends! I was flabbergasted at her newfound enthusiasm for military hardware but had to break it to her that IDEAS was not a place where one could just tag along. A long explanation, exchange of some heavy artillery rounds and a peace treaty later, I headed for the International Defence Exhibition And Seminar 2012 – accompanied only by my camera! Apparently, my wife confused IDEAS 2012 for the name of an outlet that offers fashionable clothes and home accessories!

Although I was finally at the exhibition that I had been looking forward to, for over a month, being a Pakistani male of the domesticated specie, I could not break away from the mood that had been set at home. No wonder that for over an hour, my camera behaved like that of a fashionista attending the Paris Fashion Week rather than that of a defence systems enthusiast!

Naturally, what hit me first was the fashionable bullet-proof vests on display. The new trends seemed to cater every segment of the society, from the hip-hop crowd to the prodigal politician – complete with the contemptuous frown and the scary moustache!

There were some new and effective camouflages available which one could use to avoid being seen and even to spy on others. Although, even a pricey camouflage is no good if it does not blend with one’s surroundings – in fact, in the wrong environment, a camouflage could set you apart for crisp observation! (second picture below)

Next up were two warriors from different backgrounds. One was a modern soldier in his battle uniform, while the other was a Sumo wrestler propped up by a Truck manufacturer offering Japanese technology. Interestingly, man’s basic instincts do not change much despite culture and time. The same is evident from the determination and apparently similar stance the two warriors adopt to confront their enemy. However, the difference in battle philosophy is evident from the subtleties. While the modern soldier has a narrower stance with legs closer to each other allowing him agility, the Sumo prefers a wider stance for stability, similar to some other ancient martial arts.

In another hall, a soldier displaying a launcher of some sort on his shoulder greeted the visitors. This reminded me of my astronomer friends who often organises meet-ups and astronomy nights for the public. The common joke is that sometimes naïve neighbors call up the authorities to complain that some people have set-up rocket launchers in the direction of their house!

Incidentally, a soldier looks better with a weapon in his hands – with the weapon removed, he might appear as if extending an invitation for a dance!

A uniform, besides being fashionable also needs to serve the more serious purposes of war, such as this soldier’s kit that allows him to shoot videos and instantly transmit the live feed to the base. However, smaller and more advanced versions were also on display.

Speaking of communications, this young chap certainly had a cool head to carry on his shoulders, but no shoulder to carry it on!

As with any other apparel item, a soldier must choose his head gear wisely for any occasion. A soldier’s inappropriate choice might result in more than a mere fashion disaster.

The same is true for footwear, for when the “Saints go marching in”, they need the right footwear.

I was about to snap out of the fashion journalist mode when I stumbled upon the Pakistan Ordnance Factory exhibit with all its shiny bullets and ammunition stacked up beautifully. Tracers, Armour piercers and Anti Air-craft Ammo was tipped with various colours signifying their unique characteristics. I could not help but wonder if my wife’s favorite shade was there.

Being a Karachite, a law enforcement officer on display caught my attention. John Wayne, eat your heart out!

In contrast, the Chinese version of law enforcement definitely came prepared with the right “riot” gear.

No fashion round-up worth its weight in salt would be complete without covering some accessories and IDEAS certainly had some goodies to offer in this department too.

Fashion is all about setting one’s self apart from the crowd and what better way than to opt for the Gold plated 9 mm pistols produced by POF. For the less adventurous, ceremonial swords and hunting knives were also on display at other stalls – Not exactly high-tech but literally “Cutting Edge”.

It was heartening to see that patches and decorations for some forces across the globe are prepared in Pakistan. Sadly, my days of stitching patches to the old denim jacket are long gone.

It took a glance on two caps placed on a counter to instantly jolt me back to reality and the more serious business of defence-related events. The first was a piece for a Pakistan Army force serving in South Waziristan and the second had an insignia topped by the Persian words “Man Janbazum” in Urdu script. Depending upon how you translate Janbaz, the phrase roughly translates to “I am Janbaz (brave to the point of having little regard for my life)”. This is the motto of the SSG commandos, Pakistan Military’s elite force, who often lay down their lives serving this nation.

Finally sobered, I wrapped up the “Fashion” set of pictures and began clicking for UAVs (Drones) and Pakistan’s indigenously produced equipment. IDEAS 2012 had a vast range of both on offer – but that is a different story.

 

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The writer works for a bank and is interested in the outdoors, wildlife and science. Currently he is seeking transfer to a branch either in the Australian outback or the Himalayas! He can be reached at vagabonds.odyssey@gmail.com

 

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The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.