While its flagship cruise missile programs – namely, the Taimur air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) and the Harbah anti-ship cruising missile (ASCM) – are drawing attention, Pakistan’s precision air-launched munitions portfolio is growing through the development of smaller systems.
For example, Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) recently revealed several new additions to its BURQ family of air-to-surface missiles (ASM) at DSA 2024, which took place in Malaysia earlier in the month of May. In parallel, the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) is developing a miniature ALCM by the name of KaGeM V3 in collaboration with Turkiye’s Baykar Group.
The development of these small-sized air-launched munitions reflects a wider focus across the Pakistani military to leverage unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to expand its air surveillance and attack coverages in lieu of additional crewed aircraft. This is not to suggest that Pakistan will not acquire new crewed combat and special mission aircraft; rather, the expansion or net-growth of Pakistani airpower will likely be driven by new drones of a wide variety of sizes and capabilities.
Thus, the development of the BURQ, KaGeM V3, and others should be viewed in light of a broader set of investments, especially in space-based assets – such as satellite communications (SATCOM) and satellite navigation (SATNAV) – and proprietary data-link systems. The new air-launched munitions are a piece of a wider effort in Pakistan of advancing a robust and far-reaching drone program.
Stay up to date with the latest Pakistani defence news with reliable research and accurate forecasting
Click Here
The KaGeM V3 will likely be similar in size and capability to the KEMANKEŞ 2, thereby giving the PAF a credible stand-off range weapon (SOW) for use from its drones, be it high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) platforms like the Bayraktar Akıncı or medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) systems like the Bayraktar TB2 and Shahpar-2 Block-2.
The development of the KaGeM V3 is a clear indication of the PAF’s intent to eventually deploy drones for both conventional missions and COIN/CT operations.
The need for a KaGeM V3 type weapon for use against a conventional foe is evident; current MALE and HALE drones are vulnerable to enemy air-to-air and surface-to-air interception as they are slow-moving and (compared to a fighter aircraft) lack manoeuvrability. Thus, the only effective way to use drones in a conventional warfare setting is to deploy munitions at long ranges; a miniature ALCM like the KaGeM V3 can enable PAF drone operators to target enemy positions and assets (e.g., radars, air defence missiles, etc.) from within Pakistani territory.
In terms of deploying drones for COIN/CT operations. Pakistan has increasingly found itself in situations where it may need to target positions across its Afghan and Iranian borders. Rather than flying HALE or MALE drones, the PAF could deploy the KaGeM V3 and, in turn, use it as a loitering munition for both acquiring intelligence and striking a target. Indeed, as part of its response to an Iranian cross-border strike, the PAF indicated that it had used a miniature ALCM, possibly KEMANKEŞ-1 missile, from the Bayraktar Akıncı.
Other Initiatives
It is worth noting that other Pakistani vendors are also developing lightweight air-launched munitions. For example, there is a private company by the name of Harobanx that is developing the “Hassam” series of missiles. Its largest missile – i.e., the Hassam-20 – will weigh 50 kg (similar to the BURQ-45/50), yet also offer a payload of 28 kg. The lightest Hassam variant, the Hassam-10, will weigh only 10 kg. This makes it similar in mass to 70 mm rockets, such as the BAE Systems AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) or the Roketsan CİRİT.
A Drone-Centric Ecosystem for Domestic Use and Export
Overall, it is evident that Pakistan is building the foundations to operate drones at scale. To the Pakistani military, drones are not specialized systems for niche requirements, but mainstay assets for surveillance and precision-strike. This is not to say that drones will supplant crewed aircraft; rather, the growth of the Pakistani military’s airpower in the future will likely manifest through UAVs.
Basically, drones provide each service arm a lower cost means of expanding aerial attack, surveillance, and/or electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities. Traditionally, the primary platforms for deploying such capabilities had been crewed systems, such as fighter aircraft and special mission aircraft. However, the expansion of crewed aircraft fleets necessitates higher upfront and lifecycle spending. Moreover, crewed aircraft also require specialist personnel to operate, which (for long-haul sorties of 12-18 hours) can lead to fatigue issues. Finally, when a special mission aircraft needs servicing, the resulting downtime creates capability gaps as service arms typically do not operate many such aircraft at any one time.
In contrast, drones are less costly to operate upfront and maintain over time. Moreover, many MALE and HALE designs can stay in the air for 18 to 24 hours. Thus, drones enable the Army, Navy, and Air Force to significantly expand their respective air coverages for attack and surveillance at a lower cost compared to strictly relying on crewed aircraft. To support this expanded drone doctrine, Pakistan is also acquiring new satellite communications (SATCOM) assets. It is also exploring the possibility of acquiring its own satellite navigation (SATNAV) system. It also has in-house data-link and C2 programs.
Therefore, one must look at the development of lightweight air-launched munitions in the wider context of Pakistan’s growing dependence on drones. With a robust munitions production program, Pakistan would build an end-to-end drone production, sustenance, and operations ecosystem.
That said, the heavy domestic adoption of local drone and munitions designs will also allow Pakistan to effectively market its systems to the foreign market. Not only would it provide an end-to-end ecosystem, but it may be able to do it relatively affordably thanks to Pakistan’s lower costs (stemming from weaker currency dynamics as well as lower labour and material costs).
The wider industry may be weary of Pakistan entering the drone market as a supplier. However, this side of Pakistan’s growth will drive new market opportunities for foreign suppliers. For example, Pakistan will need assistive production systems to help it manufacture composite materials. It will also require deeper degrees of engineering and technical support to develop more complex subsystems, such as new flight control systems, advanced seekers, and other key inputs.
Suppliers could also emulate the export model of companies like Baykar Group. Overseas vendors can tie their offerings with commercial offsets and/or collaborative partnerships. Pakistan does not have sufficient technical competences to support all of its current and future drone needs. For example, the PAF stated it is exploring the possibility of acquiring stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV)[1]. The PAF would likely acquire this UCAV as an off-the-shelf solution. However, it may seek offsets, transfer-of-technology, and co-production or collaborative R&D support as an incentive to acquire that UCAV.
Therefore, while the growth of Pakistan’s drone ecosystem heralds a rise of domestic designs (such as the Shahpar-series), it also creates an effective pathway for foreign vendors to promote their goods.
[1] Air Commodore (Retired) Irfan Sabir. “Unmanned Sentinels: Pakistan’s UAV Revolution.” Second-to-None Magazine. Special Edition for 2023-2024. URL: https://secondtonone.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Second-to-none-11-thMagazine-2023-24-Final-PDF-file.pdf
