National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM)
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A backgrounder
OTHER NAME: N/A
LOCATION: Islamabad
SUBORDINATE TO: Strategic Planning Directorate (SPD)
SIZE: 16,000 employees
FACILITY STATUS: Active
Founded in 2000, the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) administers several Pakistani defense development programs, including the National Defense Complex (NDC) and the Air Weapons Complex (AWC). NESCOM oversees a total staff of 16,000 employees and its overarching mission is to promote Pakistani “proficiencies in nuclear and ballistic missile development and production” with a “focus on developing conventional military hardware for the Pakistani military and export markets.” According to defense analyst Usman Shabbir, NESCOM and the NDC continue to drive Pakistan’s missile program as of 2008.
Andrew Koch considers NESCOM’s establishment an indication of the strong priority placed on missile development in Pakistan’s R&D strategy. Under NESCOM oversight, the NDC contributed to the development of the intermediate-range Ghauri-3 missile and Pakistan’s first cruise missile, the Hatf-7/Babur. NESCOM also oversaw the AWC during the development of the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile.
