We need innovation coming from Pakistanis in Pakistan ..new ideas..new global companies giving Pakistan a competitive advantage.
I will very slightly mention Gen Musharraf here, contextually isolating and restricting it to the "need for indigenous innovation" that was expanded and laid foundation to during his era (as a direct result of his and his counterparts' strategic forward thinking). The PAC was expanded in line with indigenous development and self-reliance. GIDS (the entity making rounds these days with its Drones) was envisioned by JSHQ under Gen Musharraf's leadership. Surprisingly, believe it or not, he was one of the very few Generals in his time who truly respected and acknowledged the modern trio (Air Force, Air Defense, and Special Forces) as opposed to the conventional Infantry/Armour focus which led to the development of ADGE, CLIAD, and AEWACs (that we recently saw in action in May 25), and modernization of the equipment for Special Forces.
Here are a few domestic achievement examples from between 1999-2007:-
1. Indeginous design and production of BD Suits based on Canadaian EOD8/9 went into development around 2005/6 and inducted in 2007/8.
2. Indigenous MANPADS (ANZA Mk-III) developed and inducted in 2006.
3. ROSE upgrade for Mirage Vs.
4. Resource allocation towards JF program that led to early development and induction by 2007.
5. Similar resource allocation to the development of Link-17, that became fully operational around 2010.
6. Similar resource allocation to build indigenous tugs and boats for PN.
7. CM (Babur and Ra'ad) and BM (Shaheen-II and Ghauri) development - althought the programs were initiated earlier - during Gen Musharraf's era they received considerable funds, ASFC became an independent Corps (also the time Gen Kidwai became a household name) - it was during this time our missile program was accelerated and foundations for a second strike capability was laid down which became operational around 2017.
Besides, you can argue that the following aren't indigenous but nonetheless they did modernize our military:-
1. Finalization of plans and contractual agreement for the agreement of Saab 2000 (Erieye) in 2005, and preliminary agreement for ZDK-03 which were then formally contracted in 2008.
2. Induction of YLC-2 and YLC-6 radars b/w 2003-2006
So, to say Musharraf era was focused on US Aid is very simplistic, reductionist, and factually incorrect. Though there was an element of relying on US, as it was a transitionary period, Gen Musharraf is the person who not only shifted the focus to a more modern military but also on to indigenous tech and self-reliance.
