Karachi Defense Expo 2022: Pakistan Military's Focus on AI, Connectivity and Drone Warfare
By Riaz Haq
CA
Pakistan displayed its latest drones at IDEAS 2022 (International Defense Exhibition and Seminar) Defense Expo held in November in Karachi. It also presented sessions on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and connectivity.
The four-day IDEAS 2022 opened on November 15, 2022 at Karachi Expo Center, bringing together 300 leading national and international defense manufacturers and over 300 foreign delegates from 57 countries. The event attracted more than 50 countries and included large pavilions set up by Pakistan's closest friends China and Turkey.
Pakistan's Shahpar 2 Attack Drone
Shapar 2 Drone
On display at IDEAS 2022 was Shahpar-2 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) attack drone produced by Global Industrial and Defense Solutions (GIDS), a Pakistani state-owned defense conglomerate. It can fly at a maximum speed of around 222 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum range of around 1,050 kilometers, and the data link range of 300 kilometers. It can contact satellites in day or night operations.
Shahpar 2 drones can locate, surveil, track and attack targets. Its Zumr-II (EO/IR) turret is an improved and lighter version of the Zumr-I (EP) turret. It can also be equipped with SAR, COMINT/ELINT payload. For sensors and targeting systems the drone has an internal hard-point where it carries 50 kg (110 lb) payload. (Zumr-I weighs 36.5 kg (80 lb) while Zumr-II weighs 49 kg (108 lb)). The drone has two external hard-points where it can carry laser guided weapons, AGMs 60 kg (130 lb) each. Shapar 2 has already been inducted into service with Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Also on display were advanced Harbah anti-ship cruise missiles made by Pakistan's state-owned Global Industrial and Defense Solutions (GIDS) and electronic warfare system produced by National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC). The locally developed Al-Khalid tanks and modern assault rifles manufactured by Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) were also exhibited. Visitors got a close look at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighter jets produced jointly by China and Pakistan.
Pakistan JF-17 Fighter Jet
Chinese and Turkish Pavilions
Pakistan’s longtime allies China and Turkey had the largest foreign presence at IDEAS 2022. Chinese state-run defense conglomerate China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO) displayed missiles and weapon systems including the Red Arrow 9A anti-tank guided missile.
Turkey displayed a scale model of its fifth-generation fighter, codenamed the TF-X, at Pakistan’s IDEAS Expo 2022. Over two dozen Turkish defense manufacturers participated in the IDEAS expo this year.
Top Turkish defense manufacturers, including Roketsan, state-run STM and ASFAT, showcased their products ranging from modern armed drones to tactical mini-UAV systems. Turkish Aerospace exhibited the models of the T129 ATAK helicopter, Gokbey multirole helicopter, Gokturk-2 observation satellite, as well as Anka unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and Aksungur medium-altitude long-range endurance (MALE) UAV.
AI and Connectivity
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a Cognitive Electronic Warfare (CEW) program in 2020 at its Center for Artificial Intelligence and Computing ( CENTAIC ). Modern connected weapon systems generate vast amounts of data requiring artificial intelligence and machine learning software for speedy analysis and rapid decision-making on the battlefield.
A seminar titled ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Defense Market: A Paradigm Shift in Military Strategy and National Security’ was organized as part of IDEAS-22. Also discussed was ‘One Network’, an advanced communication project, under which 3,000 kilometers of underground fiber optic cable is being laid along the motorways in Pakistan.
An example of connectivity and integration was demonstrated in Operation Swift Retort against India in February 2019. The success of this operation was the result of combat-proven PAF fighters which are fully integrated with the air defense system (e.g., AWACS), and are mutually data-linked, alongside all AEW (Airborne Early Warning) and ground sensors.
Rethink after Ukraine War
The war in Ukraine is forcing a defense strategy rethink in countries around the world. This is particularly true of countries such as India that rely mainly on Russian equipment and training. Hindustan Times has quoted an unnamed former Indian Army Chief as saying: “War videos available show that the Russian Army has tactical issues in the Ukraine war. Tell me, which tank formation goes to war in a single file without air or infantry cover when the opponent is equipped with the best anti-tank guided missile like Javelin or Turkish Bayraktar TB2 missile firing drones? There is a question on Russian air supremacy with the Ukraine Army armed with shoulder fired Stinger surface to air missiles as well as the night fighting capability of the Russian Air Force .”
(Riaz Haq is a Silicon Valley-based Pakistani-American analyst and writer. He blogs at www.riazhaq.com )
