Defence Science & Technology Organisation

DESTO was established in 1963 by the Ministry of Defence on the recommendation adopted from the National Science Commission.{{cite web|last1=Krishna|first1=V.V.|last2=Naim|first2=S.T.K.|title=Science in Pakistan|url=http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/files/55600/11999616085Pakistan.pdf/Pakistan.pdf|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=19 November 2014|location=New York, NY, [u.s.a]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129084444/http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/files/55600/11999616085Pakistan.pdf/Pakistan.pdf|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}} The DESTO was established in a view of avoiding any technological surprise from India. Since its foundation, scientists at DESTO reportedly started studying the Wind tunnel and the applications of the fluid dynamics; its contribution in the field of research and development is significant.{{cite web|last1=Official at the MoD|title=Defence Production of Pakistan|url=http://plp.org.pk/DetailSSCDDP/SSCDDPDefence.htm|publisher=Ministry of Defence publications|access-date=19 November 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220332/http://plp.org.pk/DetailSSCDDP/SSCDDPDefence.htm|url-status=dead}} During this time, DESTO began its secret programme on developing the rocket propelled 120-mm caliber high explosive mortar ammunition, variable time fuze, and free flight rockets.{{cite web|last1=staff at army museum|title=History of DESTO: 1962–64|url=http://www.pakarmymuseum.com/exhibits/1962-1964/|publisher=Pakistan Arm Museum|access-date=19 November 2014|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129032137/http://www.pakarmymuseum.com/exhibits/1962-1964/|url-status=dead}}

Its further programmes included the evaluation and reverse engineering of the foreign technology for the use of by the military. DESTO conducts research and development on weapon systems, military technologies, and renders technical advice on weapons–related technological issues to the government.{{cite web|last1=Staff at NTI|title=Defence Science and Technology Organization (DESTO)|url=http://www.nti.org/facilities/641/|publisher=Nuclear Threat Initiatives|access-date=19 November 2014}} DESTO retains its expertise on variety of disciplines such as aerodynamics, propulsion, electronics, computer systems, engineering, explosives, metallurgy, chemical and biological defence. Since 2001, DESTO's multi-disciplinary infrastructure base is now available to public sector industry under commercial arrangements. Projects and research work at DESTO remains under strict secrecy and very few details of the projects are known to the public.

{{Further|Project-706}}

By the early 1970s, DESTO maintained its classified projects towards the Wind tunnels and successfully reverse engineered its own version of the wind tunnel in 1974 roughly based on Dutch firm, the Stork-Werkspoor.{{cite news|last1=Khan |first1=A.Q. |title=Unsung heroes: Part-X |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9-271543-Unsung-heroes |access-date=19 November 2014 |agency=News International |publisher=News International, 2014 |date=8 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118201034/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9-271543-Unsung-heroes |archive-date=18 November 2014}} Following the surprise nuclear test, Smiling Buddha, by India in 1974, PAEC chair Munir Ahmad Khan and Abdus Salam chaired a meeting with the officials of DESTO over the technological surprise of India.{{Citation | last =Rehman | first =Shahidur | title = Long Road to Chagai | place =Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory | publisher =Printwise Publications | orig-year =1999 | year =1999 | edition =1 | chapter =§5 The Group at Wah | pages =75–89 }} Zaman Sheikh—a chemical engineer from DESTO—was tasked to developed chemical explosive lenses, tampers, and triggering mechanized system, necessary in the technology of the fission weapon together with Hafeez Qureshi—a mechanical engineer. The codename for this project was Wah Group Scientists (WGS), and the work was done in the Metallurgical Laboratory at the Wah Cantonment in 1978. Later, it was renamed as Directorate for Technical Development (DTD), and was charged with the design testings of the weapons. After Pakistan conducted nuclear tests—codename: Chagai-I and Chagai-II—in May 1998, the United States Government identified and sanctioned DESTO for involvement in Pakistan's nuclear and missile programmes."India and Pakistan Sanctions and Other Measures," 63 Federal Register 223 (19 November 1998), pp. 64322–64342. The exact details of the work and contribution to missile systems remains under strict secrecy.Presidential Determination No. 2001-28 22 September 2001: Waiver of Nuclear-Related Sanctions on India and Pakistan, Memorandum for the Secretary of State," 66 Federal Register 191 (2 October 2001), p. 50095; "India and Pakistan: Lifting of Sanctions, Removal of Indian and Pakistani Entities, and Revision in License Review Policy," 66 Federal Register 190 (1 October 2001), p. 50090, and Dianne E. Rennack, India and Pakistan: U.S. Economic Sanctions, CRS Report to Congress RS20995 (Washington, DC: The Library of Congress, 3 February 2003).

However, after Pakistan's heavy contribution on the war on terror, the American government uplifted the sanctions on DESTO.

• Pakistan Armed Forces
• Pakistan Ordnance Factories
• National Engineering and Scientific Commission

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{{Ministry of Defence Production (Pakistan)}}

{{Defence industry of Pakistan}}

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Category:Defence industry of Pakistan

Category:Manufacturing plants in Pakistan

Category:Science and technology in Pakistan

Category:Nuclear weapons programme of Pakistan

Category:Research and development organizations

Category:Corporate spin-offs

Category:Military research of Pakistan

Category:Government agencies established in 1963

Category:1963 establishments in Pakistan

Category:Pakistan federal departments and agencies

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