At the 2024 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS 2024) in Karachi, Pakistan, Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) – a conglomerate of many Pakistani state-owned enterprises (SOE) – held a major showcase of its latest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program, the Shahpar-III.
The GIDS Shahpar-III is Pakistan’s largest and most advanced drone program to-date. A Group 4-class medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 1,650 kg, the Shahpar-III promises significant range and a much-improved payload and varied mission capability compared to any of Pakistan’s other domestic drones.
On the surface, the Shahpar-III’s specifications reflect a design that is similar in size to China’s CH-4, Turkiye’s Anka-S, and the American MQ-1C Gray Eagle. However, as the Shahpar-III is yet to fly, the actual performance of Pakistan’s new drone is to be determined.
Reconnaissance and Targeting
Like the Shahpar-II, GIDS offers the Shahpar-III with an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) turret. The default option will be the Zumr–II, also offered by GIDS. This would equip the Shahpar-III with real-time video monitoring and aerial imaging as well as the capability to guide semi-active laser-homing (SALH) munitions.
In effect, the Shahpar-III would build on the Shahpar-II by delivering much more endurance, range, and payload. For the latter, Shahpar-IIIs can be equipped with more individual AGMs, such as the Burq-series.
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