Turkish defense company Repkon has entered into a strategic partnership with Wah Industries Limited (WIL), a subsidiary of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), to establish a cutting-edge production facility for 155mm artillery shells in Pakistan. This agreement marks a significant step in defense manufacturing collaboration between Turkey and Pakistan, with possible implications for the global arms supply chain, particularly in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The agreement outlines the development of a fully automated, turnkey production line capable of manufacturing 155mm artillery shells, complemented by an advanced explosive filling line. The facility is designed to produce 120,000 units annually, enhancing Pakistan’s domestic defense production capabilities and reducing dependency on foreign imports.

This production setup mirrors Repkon’s previous experience in establishing a similar facility in Texas, USA, under a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, demonstrating the firm’s expertise in deploying scalable and automated defense manufacturing solutions.

Wah Industries Limited operates under the umbrella of Pakistan Ordnance Factories, which supplies arms and ammunition to the Pakistan Armed Forces and international clients. POF is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s defense industrial base, providing a wide array of military-grade munitions, including small arms, explosives, and artillery shells.

This collaboration with Repkon is expected to boost Pakistan’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities, positioning WIL as a key player in regional and global defense markets.

Defense analysts suggest that this agreement could have broader geopolitical implications, particularly given Pakistan’s recent history of arms exports. In 2022, Pakistan signed a $364 million contract with U.S. firms Global Military and Northrop Grumman to supply ammunition to Ukraine, facilitated through British cargo planes. The weapons were transported by British cargo planes, first to British bases in Southern Cyprus and then to Ukraine

Considering Turkey’s balanced stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, there is speculation that 155mm artillery shells produced under this agreement could be exported to Ukraine through Pakistan, allowing Turkey to maintain its neutral diplomatic position while indirectly supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts. This strategic maneuvering may have played a role in the formation of this partnership between Repkon and WIL, as highlighted by defense experts.