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.
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