Asim Munir, US Firm POWERUS Discuss Defence Technology Cooperation

RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has emphasised the importance of technological innovation and advanced solutions for strengthening Pakistan’s national security and resilience during talks with a delegation from US-based defence and critical infrastructure company POWERUS.

The meeting took place at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations.

The POWERUS delegation was led by Robert Bret Velicovich and held discussions with Munir on matters of mutual interest as well as evolving trends in defence technology.

Defence Procurement, Production Discussed

The talks covered potential avenues for cooperation in three key areas: defence procurement, production and capacity building, according to ISPR.

The discussions come as rapidly developing technologies increasingly influence military planning, critical infrastructure protection and the capabilities required by modern armed forces.

Munir highlighted technological innovation and advanced solutions as important components in strengthening national security and institutional resilience.

Both sides also expressed interest in further developing engagement in areas of mutual interest, according to the military’s statement.

No agreement, procurement contract, investment amount or specific defence system was announced following the meeting.

That distinction is important: the publicly released information describes discussions about potential cooperation, rather than confirmation of a new defence procurement deal.

What Is POWERUS?

POWERUS is a United States-based company specialising in defence and critical infrastructure solutions, according to the ISPR description of the visiting delegation.

Dawn, citing the company’s own description, reported that POWERUS develops hardware and unified systems architecture intended to maintain critical assets in high-consequence environments.

The company’s participation therefore gives the meeting a broader technological dimension beyond conventional military equipment, particularly as governments increasingly focus on the resilience of critical infrastructure.

No detailed list of technologies discussed during the GHQ meeting was made public.

Technology Reshaping Modern Warfare

The latest discussion is consistent with Munir’s previous public emphasis on technological change in warfare.

In January, during a visit to Bahawalpur Garrison, he said technological advancements were reshaping the future character of warfare and argued that the changing nature of conflict required transformation across multiple domains of Pakistan’s armed forces.

The latest meeting places that emphasis within the context of potential engagement with an American private-sector defence and infrastructure company.

The talks nevertheless remain at the level publicly described by ISPR: exploration of technological trends and possible cooperation.

Pakistan-US Defence Engagement

The meeting also comes amid continuing defence engagement between Pakistan and the United States.

Pakistani and American troops completed joint training at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Pabbi in January as part of Exercise Inspired Gambit, focusing on combined infantry skills, tactics and counterterrorism operations.

In December 2025, the United States also approved an approximately $686 million package involving advanced technology and support for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.

Those developments provide broader context for bilateral defence engagement but are separate from Wednesday’s POWERUS meeting.

No New Defence Deal Announced

The most important takeaway from the GHQ meeting is the potential scope for further technological cooperation.

Confirmed areas discussed were:

• evolving trends in defence technology;
• defence procurement;
• defence production;
• capacity building; and
• technological solutions for national security and resilience.

However, available official reporting does not announce a signed contract or completed procurement agreement between Pakistan and POWERUS.

Any future commercial or defence-production arrangement would therefore require separate confirmation.

For now, both sides have expressed interest in developing further engagement in areas of mutual interest.