News
March 15, 2024
Pakistan Flaunts Indigenous Shahpar II Drone to Military Officials from 11 Countries
By Ashish Dangwal
Bahawalpur: Pakistan’s government-owned defense conglomerate, Global Industrial & Defense Solutions (GIDS), recently demonstrated its latest Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), Shahpar II, showcasing its live firing capabilities to senior military representatives from eleven allied nations.
The Shahpar II UCAV—classified as a Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone—demonstrated in Bahawalpur city of Pakistan effectively engaged targets from an altitude of 14,000 feet using its air-to-ground guided missile, “Burq.”
The precision and efficiency of the UCAV’s firing capabilities were on full display as it accurately neutralized ground targets.
Senior officials from GIDS have claimed that the Shahpar II UCAV outperforms competitors in the market, including Turkey’s Baykar Technology-produced Bayraktar TB2 and China’s CH-4, both in terms of capabilities and cost efficiency.
The demonstration served as a testament to Pakistan’s advancements in drone technology and its commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities.
GIDS announced plans to further enhance the Shahpar-II platform by testing the Barq-2 missile, a lighter variant of the Barq family, and a laser-guided bomb starting next month.
These developments highlight Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to diversify its aerial weapons arsenal and stay at the forefront of technological innovation in the defense sector.
Among the distinguished guests invited to witness the UCAV’s firing demonstration were military representatives from Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Nigeria, and other allied nations.
GIDS aims to attract the interest of these nations’ armed forces in a renewed endeavor to promote its drone solutions.
GIDS management has also revealed that by April 2024, it will be testing its other air-delivered ordnances like the BURQ-II with 20kg warhead, lighter versions of Burq, and its Laser Guided Bombs designed for unmanned aerial vehicles.
The event provided an opportunity for these countries to witness firsthand the capabilities of Pakistan’s indigenous drone technology and explore potential collaborations in defense.
A video circulating online depicts GIDS officials briefing representatives from the 11 friendly countries about the combat capabilities of the Shahpar-II (Block-II) UCAV.
Images suggest that during the demonstration, the Shahpar-2 (Block II) was equipped with the new Zumr-2-HD EO Sensor and two Barq-1 missiles.
The sensor suite, known as the “Zumr-II Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR),” is manufactured by Advanced Engineering Research Organization (AERO), a GIDS company, at its manufacturing facility near Islamabad.
The successful demonstration of the Shahpar II Block II UAV marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s defense capabilities, showcasing its ability to develop and deploy cutting-edge aerial platforms tailored to meet modern security challenges… - The Our Asian Times
Courtesy The Our Asian Times
Back to Pakistanlink Home