Pakistan’s Defence Minister Naveed Qamar’s statement that Pakistan intends to build its own UAS system, which is presently in its initial stage, will certainly raise eyebrows in a few world capitals.
The aircraft would prove to be a useful weapon to fight terrorists like Al-Qaeda, Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, who are out to destabilize the country by launching attacks while hiding in the mountainous terrain of Fata. So far, CIA-operated UAS have been carrying out operations against, what are termed ‘safe havens’ from where militants are accused of attacking foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan.
Islamabad while seeking a halt to UASe strikes in line with the parliament’s recommendations has, on several occasions asked the US to make UAS available to it to enable it to more effectively attack terrorist hideouts, but in vain.
It was in 2004 that the Kamra Rebuild Factory came out with an indigenous design of drones. Later, three more versions of it were designed. Kamra sought permission from the Ministry of Defence that was denied for unknown reasons. Now, the Defence Minister has indicated that Pakistan intends to start production of its own unmanned aircraft. Media reports suggest that there already have been several successful test flights of the pilot-less plane.
Kamra has been manufacturing the Selex Galileo Falco UAS under licence since April 2008.
Photo: Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force inspecting the indigenously manufactured Falco Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at the induction ceremony on April 20, 2008. [Picture courtesy: Directorate of Media Affair, PAF]
Source: The Nation