Talat Masood
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Talat Masood, (HI(M)
, SI(M)
, TK(M)
), is a now-retired three-star general and a career army engineer officer
in the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers
. He is the former Colonel Commandant
and the Engineer-in-Chief
of the Pakistan Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME
). Masood who is a "Grade-A" graduate of the Command and Staff College
, Quetta
and the National Defence University
, Rawalpindi
of the Armed Forces. General Masood has a Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
and a Masters in defence and strategic studies.
and an engineer
who has played a major role in the engineering
projects of Pakistan Army
. Talat Masood joined Pakistan Army
in 1951 and two years later, he was inducted into the Corps of Engineers where he received his B.Sc. (Hons). in mechanical engineering
with the distinctions from Army College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
. He remained associated with civil projects constructed by the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers. He then attended the National Defence University, Islamabad
and completed his Master's degree
in Strategic studies
in 1957. He then started his engineering career from DESTO where he led several military projects. He was a project manager
of the Armoured personnel carrier
project, designed for the Pakistan Army. He remained associated with Pakistan Army's military project until he retired from the army. Talat participated in 1965 Indo-Pak War
and the 1971 Winter war
, where he had briefly served in the Indo-Pak front. After the 1971 war, Talat Masood was given transferred to Defence Science and Technology Organization
(DESTO) where he was incharge of weapon development projects. In 1974, Talat was transferred to Pakistan Ordnance Factories
where he was one of the noted military scientists who were involved in Pakistan's nuclear weapons program.
General Masood was then transferred to Heavy Industries Taxila
(HIT) where he was put incharge of several military's classified weapon techonology projects. At HIT, General Talat Masood also worked as an Engineer-in-Chief
of Pakistan Army Engineering Corps of Pakistan Army, heading and supervising several classified military and weapon technology projects. In 1986, he was made given transfer to DESTO where he was put deputy incharge of the Missile Integration Programme, and led the Army Engineer Battalion to developed the mechanical and electrical components and technologies required in the missiles.
In 1987, He was made the principal commander (Colonel Commandant) of Pakistan Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME). Lt. Gen. Masood was chairman and chief executive of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories
Board, where he oversaw the modernization and expansion of military technologies
. He retired from Pakistan Army in 1991.
, political, and atomic
issues in national newspapers and foreign magazines and was a prominent commentator on national and international television and radio networks. He served as a Secretary
for Defence Production or DESTO in the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan
, after serving for 39 years in DESTO.
After his retirement Talat Masood became a consultant for a leading U.S. defense manufacturer UDLP
for five years. He had signed a multi million dollar contract with UDLP as secretary of defense production shortly before his retirement. He was a visiting fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C.
from November–December 1997. Currently, he briefly writes about Pakistan and India's nuclear program. He has been playing an important role in Pakistan's atomic program and Pakistan's atomic policy as well.
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Talat Masood, (HI(M)
Hilal-i-Imtiaz
The Hilal-i-Imtiaz, English: Crescent of Excellence, Urdu: هلال ا متيا ز , is the second highest civilian award and honor given to both civilians and military officers of the State of Pakistan|Pakistan armed forces by the Government of Pakistan...
, SI(M)
Sitara-i-Imtiaz
The Sitara-i-Imtiaz , is the third highest honour and civilian award in the State of Pakistan. It recognizes the individuals who made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavors"...
, TK(M)
Tamgha-i-Khidmat
Tamgha-i-Khidmat or Tamgha-e-Khidmat, which translates as the medal of services , is 7th highest honour given by the Government of Pakistan to both the military and civilians....
), is a now-retired three-star general and a career army engineer officer
Engineer Officer
An Engineer Officer is one type of officer in the UK Royal Navy. There are also Warfare Officers and Logistics Officers supported by additional branches such as Medical or Dental Officers, or the Chaplaincy Service....
in the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers
Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers
The Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers, , is an active military administrative staff corps, and a major science and technology command of the Pakistan Army...
. He is the former Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant
Colonel Commandant is a military title used in the armed forces of some English-speaking countries. The title, not a substantive rank, could denote a senior colonel with authority over fellow colonels...
and the Engineer-in-Chief
Engineer-in-Chief (Pakistan Army)
Engineer-in-Chief or E-in-C, is a Colonel Commandant of the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers, Frontier Works Organisation and the Military Engineering Services of Pakistan...
of the Pakistan Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME
EME
EME can refer to:In organizations:*Emcor, a US construction company that has NYSE stock symbol EME*East Midlands Electricity, an electricity supply company in the East Midlands, UK...
). Masood who is a "Grade-A" graduate of the Command and Staff College
Command and Staff College
The Command and Staff College was established in 1907 at Quetta, Balochistan, British Raj, now in Pakistan, and is the oldest and the most prestigious institution of the Pakistan Army. It was established in 1905 in Deolali and moved to its present location at Quetta in 1907 under the name of Quetta...
, Quetta
Quetta
is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the...
and the National Defence University
National Defence University, Islamabad
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the Ministry of Defence of Government of Pakistan, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy...
, Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
of the Armed Forces. General Masood has a Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
and a Masters in defence and strategic studies.
Military career
Masood is a renowned military scientistMilitary science
Military science is the process of translating national defence policy to produce military capability by employing military scientists, including theorists, researchers, experimental scientists, applied scientists, designers, engineers, test technicians, and military personnel responsible for...
and an engineer
Military engineer
In military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
who has played a major role in the engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
projects of Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
. Talat Masood joined Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
in 1951 and two years later, he was inducted into the Corps of Engineers where he received his B.Sc. (Hons). in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
with the distinctions from Army College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
The College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering or is the largest constituent college of the National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan.- Location :...
. He remained associated with civil projects constructed by the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers. He then attended the National Defence University, Islamabad
National Defence University, Islamabad
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the Ministry of Defence of Government of Pakistan, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy...
and completed his Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Strategic studies
Strategic studies
Strategic studies is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to topics concerning the relationship between politics, geography and natural resources, economics, and military power, such as the role of intelligence, diplomacy and threats in the preparation and use of force...
in 1957. He then started his engineering career from DESTO where he led several military projects. He was a project manager
Project manager
A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, computer networking, telecommunications or software...
of the Armoured personnel carrier
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
project, designed for the Pakistan Army. He remained associated with Pakistan Army's military project until he retired from the army. Talat participated in 1965 Indo-Pak War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
and the 1971 Winter war
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
, where he had briefly served in the Indo-Pak front. After the 1971 war, Talat Masood was given transferred to Defence Science and Technology Organization
Defence Science and Technology Organization
The Defence Science and Technology Organization, best known as DESTO, is a defense science and technological sciences government agency of Pakistan Defence Forces located in Rawalpindi, Punjab province of Pakistan. DESTO is an independent science and defence research organization, known for its...
(DESTO) where he was incharge of weapon development projects. In 1974, Talat was transferred to Pakistan Ordnance Factories
Pakistan Ordnance Factories
Pakistan Ordnance Factories was founded in 1951 with the primary objective of producing arms and ammunition for the armed forces of Pakistan...
where he was one of the noted military scientists who were involved in Pakistan's nuclear weapons program.
General Masood was then transferred to Heavy Industries Taxila
Heavy Industries Taxila
Heavy Industries Taxila is the backbone of Pakistan's engineering industry for the Pakistan Armed Forces, being a combination of multiple industries that has grown into a large military complex since 1980. It consists of six major production units and their support facilities, staffed by over 6500...
(HIT) where he was put incharge of several military's classified weapon techonology projects. At HIT, General Talat Masood also worked as an Engineer-in-Chief
Engineer-in-Chief (Pakistan Army)
Engineer-in-Chief or E-in-C, is a Colonel Commandant of the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers, Frontier Works Organisation and the Military Engineering Services of Pakistan...
of Pakistan Army Engineering Corps of Pakistan Army, heading and supervising several classified military and weapon technology projects. In 1986, he was made given transfer to DESTO where he was put deputy incharge of the Missile Integration Programme, and led the Army Engineer Battalion to developed the mechanical and electrical components and technologies required in the missiles.
In 1987, He was made the principal commander (Colonel Commandant) of Pakistan Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME). Lt. Gen. Masood was chairman and chief executive of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories
Pakistan Ordnance Factories
Pakistan Ordnance Factories was founded in 1951 with the primary objective of producing arms and ammunition for the armed forces of Pakistan...
Board, where he oversaw the modernization and expansion of military technologies
Military technology
Military technology is the collection of equipment, vehicles, structures and communication systems that are designed for use in warfare. It comprises the kinds of technology that are distinctly military in nature and not civilian in application, usually because they are impractical in civilian...
. He retired from Pakistan Army in 1991.
Post Retirement Activities
After his retirement, he briefly wrote on the issues of securitySecurity
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
, political, and atomic
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
issues in national newspapers and foreign magazines and was a prominent commentator on national and international television and radio networks. He served as a Secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
for Defence Production or DESTO in the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan
Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)
The Ministry of Defence , is a federal government ministry tasked with coordinating and supervising all major government agencies and federal departments of the government relating directly to National security and the Pakistan Defense Forces...
, after serving for 39 years in DESTO.
After his retirement Talat Masood became a consultant for a leading U.S. defense manufacturer UDLP
United Defense
United Defense Industries was a United States defense contractor which is now part of BAE Systems Land and Armaments. This company produces combat vehicles, artillery, naval guns, missile launchers and precision munitions.-History:...
for five years. He had signed a multi million dollar contract with UDLP as secretary of defense production shortly before his retirement. He was a visiting fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
from November–December 1997. Currently, he briefly writes about Pakistan and India's nuclear program. He has been playing an important role in Pakistan's atomic program and Pakistan's atomic policy as well.