This article was written by Farooq B, an open source intelligence (OSINT) analyst specializing on Pakistani defence procurement and development programs. For more of Farooq’s insights, follow him on X.
At the 2024 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2024), the Pakistani industry revealed a number of homegrown remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWS).
An RCWS is, as the name suggests, a turret that allows vehicle, ship, or even facility occupants to operate a mounted gun by remote. The use of RCWS reduces the risk of harm to the operator as they do not need to leave their vehicle/facility to fire a gun.
However, an RCWS also provides a potential platform for automated weapon systems that can independently identify and fire at targets. Hence, the sudden emergence of these new solutions could drive key shifts in both how Pakistan manages combat operations and the direction of its defence industry in the coming years.
HIT Semi-RCWS
HIT also displayed a Semi-RCWS, which appeared to be a low-cost modernization project for standard HMGs mounted onto a tank’s mantlet. This new RCWS was configured onto the mantlet itself, thereby reducing cost and allowing the commander to use the turret roof mounted HMG from within the tank.
According to HIT representatives, this RCWS is designed as a low-cost alternative option for replacing manned HMG mounts on older tanks, such as the al-Khalid or al-Zarrar. On the other hand, while the VT4 RCWS could also be used for the same purpose, it would cost more (albeit with the benefit of a more superior control performance).
KRL RCWS
The SOE Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) was also present at the HIT pavilion with its own RCWS solution. KRL’s RCWS was also developed for use on tanks, albeit as KRL’s program to develop a next-generation unmanned MBT turret.
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