AEROSPACE INNOVATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY PARKS: A CASE STUDY OF PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL AEROSPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK

This paper examines Pakistan’s National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP) as a driver of indigenous aerospace innovation and self-reliance. Framed by the Triple-Helix model, NASTP convenes government, academia, and industry into an integrated innovation ecosystem. The research hypothesises that stronger infrastructure and tighter cross-sector networks at NASTP improve knowledge exchange and accelerate commercialisation. Using a qualitative single-case design with expert interviews, it documents early outcomes, including space-qualification of the Flyaway satellite antenna, the build-out of sovereign testing and certification facilities, and joint ventures with Turkish Aerospace Industries and Baykar. The guiding question asks how infrastructure quality and network functioning shape exchange and commercial outcomes, and what barriers persist. Findings indicate that, despite core assets such as AI and space divisions, high-performance labs, local incubators, NASTP faces specialist talent shortages, mid-stage finance gaps, and limited national buy-in that could delay self-reliance. The research proposes targeted interventions including conditional bursaries, first-lot procurement for start-ups, and open-competition tenancy, to retain talent, de-risk early sales, and sustain innovation. Building on these findings, future work should test these relationships longitudinally and across comparable parks.