Subordinate To: Defense Production Division, Ministry of Defense
Address: Chaklala Cantt
Rawalpindi 46200 Pakistan
Telephone: 92-51-9280507
Fax: 92-51-9280502
Email: hq@desto.sdnpk.undp.org
URL: http://www.depo.org.pk/products/desto/index.htm
Primary Function: DESTO is the Pakistan defense ministry's principal research and development agency; it conducts research and development on weapon systems and renders technical advice on weapons-related scientific and technological issues to the Pakistani government.

Description and Activities:
DESTO is the Defense Production Division's (Pakistan Ministry of Defense) premier research and development agency. The DESTO headquarters are located at Chaklala, but it maintains research and development facilities in Chattar, Karachi, and Chaklala. DESTO conducts research and development on weapon systems and renders technical advice on weapons-related scientific and technological issues to the defense ministry. DESTO's research and development activities cover a variety of disciplines, which include aerodynamics, propulsion, defense electronics, computer systems, engineering, propellants, explosives, materials, and chemical and biological defense. Besides providing research and development support to other defense research and production agencies in Pakistan, DESTO also provides support to government-owned public sector companies.

After Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, the US government identified and sanctioned DESTO for involvement in Pakistan's nuclear and missile programs. However, the details of its contribution to Pakistan's ballistic missile programs remain classified.

Key Sources: Defense Science & Technology Organization (DESTO), Defense Export Promotion Organization,
<http://www.depo.org.pk/products/desto/index.htm>.

	Updated December 2003