POF Eye is a special-purpose hand-held weapon system.[3] It was first revealed at the 5th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2008), held at the Karachi Expo Centre in November 2008.[4][5] It is designed for SWAT and special forces teams in hostile situations, particularly counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations.
| POF Eye | |
|---|---|
| Type | Special-purpose hand-held weapon system |
| Place of origin | Pakistan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2008–present |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Pakistan Ordnance Factories |
| Designed | 2008[1][2] |
| Manufacturer | Pakistan Ordnance Factories |
| Produced | 2008–present |
| Variants | 3 (including standard) |
History
editThe system, specially designed for urban combat, anti-terrorist operations and police SWAT operations, was developed by Pakistan Ordnance Factories.[6] Chairman of the POF board, Lt. Gen. Syed Sabahat Husain, told the visiting delegates at IDEAS 2008 that this new product of POF may meet the requirements of law enforcing agencies in order to curb the terrorist activities. The live demonstration of this gun was also shown to the delegates.[7]
According to one of the designers, Ashfaq Ahmad, the overall designing and finalizing of this gun took 6 months.[1] Several domestic and international participants and delegates took keen interest in the newly introduced anti-terrorist weapon.[8] Once the weapon is put into mass production, POF would take orders for its supply to prospective local and international buyers.[citation needed] To help promote the weapon, POF has conducted training sessions to help law enforcement agencies in Pakistan familiarize themselves with the POF Eye.[9]
As of 2014, the POF Eye has been sold to Pakistani security forces.[10] In 2015, General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi, the then-Malaysian Army chief visited the POF to examine the POF Eye.[11]
In February 13, 2018, the Eye was featured in a POF documentary.[12]
Variants
editThe POF Eye is available in several variations. It can be mounted with
Design
editThis project was designed and supervised by Dr. Muhammad Ayaz Khan – chief member of the board of directors of POF. In 2008. he gave a briefing to the press regarding its features. Unlike the Cornershot which is chiefly made of plastic, the POF Eye is constructed entirely of metal.[15] The lower receiver is based on its MP5 clones and the stock similar to the Galil.[16]
It includes a small high-resolution camera, laser sight and a colour LCD monitor, which can observe and view a target from various vantage points.[14] The video camera enables forces to scan an area prior to pinpointing a target and broadcast the footage directly, in real time, to the operating team behind, or to a Command Post monitor.[14] Its head can turn 75 degrees.[14]
The Eye has been designed as of 2016 to allow the use on an image transmission package with an IR camera that has a range of 20 meters.[17] Video transmission has a range of 400 meters.[17] An LCD screen mounted on the back of a person with an ocular device strapped on the person’s helmet.[18]
The package also includes a battery pack worn on a vest or similar gear that can be easily changed in the field.[18]
Similar weapons
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "POF Eye" (in Urdu). Daily Express. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
- ^ "Pakistan finalising arrangements to target global arms market - The Express Tribune". 9 November 2012.
- ^ Iqbal (2018), p. 185.
- ^ "Associated Press of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - More than 30% space booked in advance for IDEAS 2010". Archived from the original on 11 May 2009.
- ^ "POF shows full range with new product 'POF Eye'". Business Recorder. 27 November 2008. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ "India's Envy: Wants 'POF-EYE' type weapon to combat terror | Pakistan News with Pakistan Ideology". www.pakistanideology.com. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ "POF showcasing 'POF Eye' products in Expo". Pakistan Observer. 27 November 2008. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
- ^ "'POF Eye' at Ideas-2008". 28 November 2008.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "IDEAS 2014: Pak defence exports have doubled in a year, says minister - The Express Tribune". 4 December 2014.
- ^ "Malaysian army chief visits POF". 7 October 2015.
- ^ "Pakistan Ordnance Factory Documentary". 13 February 2018.
- ^ "POF Eye: Pakistan Corner Shot clone". 28 November 2008.
- ^ a b c d Omer Jamil (6 July 2009). "POF Eye: Corner Shot Gun By Pakistan Ordnance Factories Eye Weapon System". Archived from the original on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2010.
- ^ "IDEAS 2016—Pakistan – Small Arms Defense Journal".
- ^ "CornerShot Clones from Around the World -". 10 January 2018.
- ^ a b "The POF Eye weapon system fitted with IR camera and video data transmission at IDEAS 2016 12711161 | IDEAS 2016 Official Online Show Daily News | Defence security military exhibition 2016 daily news category". 27 November 2016.
- ^ a b "POF updates Corner Shot Clone -". 12 December 2016.
Bibliography
edit- Iqbal, Saghir (2018). Pakistan's War Machine: An Encyclopedia of its Weapons, Strategy and Military Security 2018. Saghir Iqbal. ISBN 978-1986169424.