IDEF 2021: Pakistan Defence News Updates

During the 15^th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2021) in Istanbul, Turkey’s top defence industry vendors showcased an impressive lineup of projects. Its known ‘staples’ – i.e., the MILGEM corvette, Altay main battle tank (MBT), T129 ATAK attack helicopter, and Anka drone – were both present and showing growth in terms of technical improvements, new variants, and overseas market interest. However, Turkey also showed off an array of new projects that are putting the country at the forefront of emerging military technologies, such as unmanned surface vessels (USV) and miniature air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM). It is also working to end the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) dependency on specific imported systems, such as the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) and 76 mm main naval guns.

In the backdrop of IDEF 2021, the Turkish industry also engaged with Pakistan, its leading export market, across a number of fronts. The most notable development was ASFAT A.Ş. (Military Factor and Shipyard Management Inc.) unveiling the design of the Jinnah-class frigate. In 2018, Pakistan signed a contract with ASFAT A.Ş. for four customized MILGEM corvettes. Under the deal, ASFAT A.Ş. agreed to transfer both the know-how and intellectual property (IP) of the newly christened Babur-class corvettes and assist Pakistan design its own warship. In addition, Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret AŞ (STM) confirmed that it will work on upgrading the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) Agosta 90B submarine, thus rounding off the platform’s modernization roadmap.[1] Finally, there are reports that Pakistan is in talks with Turkey about the purchase of a miniature submarine.[2][3] Interestingly, Turkey has multiple miniature submarine programs – a shallow-water attack (SWAT) submarine known as the STM500 by STM and another platform (potentially more of a special forces boat) by Dearsan. It is unclear which of these the PN is interested in as it is looking for new SWAT boats and a replacement for its Cosmos MG110 miniature submarines for special operations.

Pakistan’s growing cooperation with Turkey is not limited to naval platforms. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) announced that it signed a deal with National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) that will see NESCOM undertake some production work for TAI’s Anka unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).[4][5] TAI’s general manager, Temel Kotil, said that TAI and NESCOM will collaborate to further develop the Anka. In turn, NESCOM will also market the Anka to other markets.[6] Interestingly, the Anka will be the third major UAV program in Pakistan, joining the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) 1.5-ton UAV and Air Weapon Complex’s (AWC) Shahpar II (which is similar in size to the Bayraktar TB2).

Jinnah-Class Frigate

ASFAT A.Ş. revealed a scale model of the Jinnah-class frigate at IDEF 2021. According to ASFAT A.Ş.’s own product brochure, the Jinnah-class will have a displacement of 3,300 tons, maximum speed of 26 knots, a cruise speed of 17 knots, and a range of 4,000 nautical miles. The design has an overall length of 119.45 m and an overall beam of 15.40 m. In comparison to the Babur-class corvette, the Jinnah-class is about 11 m longer and a little over 300 tons heavier in terms of displacement. Interestingly, the Jinnah-class seems to be in a similar size and weight category as Turkey’s I-Class frigate, but with key internal differences.

Jinnah class frigate #IDEF2021 pic.twitter.com/dxS0c1O7Or

— Arda Mevlutoglu (@orko_8) August 18, 2021

Pakistan Anka UAV Agreement

TAI and NESCOM’s agreement to collaborate on the Anka UAV is likely a move to link NESCOM into TAI’s supply chain. In other words, the main focus is for NESCOM to manufacture Anka parts and, potentially, help develop aspects of the UAV in the future. NESCOM may supply Anka parts to Turkey and other users.

However, it is worth noting that in 2018, the PN was interested in the TAI Anka-S. The PN seemingly chose the CH-4 for its UAV requirement, but it may be open to acquiring the Anka for its follow-on requirements.

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For More on the Pakistan Navy, See:

• Pakistan’s First Babur-Class Corvette Launched
• Pakistan Navy Invests in Original Programs
• Pakistan Reportedly Launch Customer of Albatros-NG/CAMM-ER
• More Pakistan Navy Ships Enter Construction

[1] Goksel Yildirim. “Continuing to export with Ukraine and Pakistan in military maritime.” Anadolu Agency. 19 August 2021. URL: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/askeri-denizcilikte-ukrayna-ve-pakistanla-ihracata-devam/2339791

[2] Sertac Aksan. “Domestic and national mini submarines will be ‘game changer’.” TRT Haber. 17 August 2021. URL: https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/yerli-ve-milli-mini-denizaltilar-oyun-degistirici-olacak-602469.html

[3] Ridzwan Rahmat. “Turkey launches Pakistan Navy’s first Milgem corvette.” Jane’s Defence Weekly. 16 August 2021. URL: https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/turkey-launches-pakistan-navys-first-milgem-corvette

[4] Turkish Aerospace Industries via Twitter. 21 August 2021. URL: https://twitter.com/TUSAS_TR/status/1428995323737907202

[5] Goksel Yildrim. “Unmanned aerial vehicle Anka will be strengthened in cooperation with Pakistan.” Anadolu Agency. 21 August 2021. URL: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/bilim-teknoloji/insansiz-hava-araci-anka-pakistan-is-birligiyle-guclendirilecek/2341970

[6] Ibid.