Most recently, two most important strategic developments have been occurred in the defence arena of Pakistan. Firstly, Pakistan successfully tested its indigenously-built armed drone ‘Burraq’ (flying horse) and test-fired laser-guided missile ‘Barq’ (lightning). Secondly Pakistan also test fired Shaheen III, a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, into the Arabian Sea. Both strategic developments have further strengthened its military capabilities and overall deterrence.
ISPR Press Release
According to an ISPR press release, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif witnessed the tests on static and moving targets with an impressive pinpoint accuracy. The all-weather drone and laser-guided missile have multiplied the capability against terrorists.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif’s Congratulation
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif congratulated the nation on the successful test-firing of the drone and laser-guided missile. In a message, Prime Minister Nawaz appreciated the armed forces as well as the scientists and engineers who contributed towards the indigenous development of state-of-the-art drone and missile. He said attaining the milestone of drone capability would add a new dimension to the country’s defence.
The COAS commended engineers and scientists for their untiring efforts to acquire the state-of-the-art technology and put Pakistan in a different league. General Raheel termed the testing of Burraq and Barq a great national achievement and a momentous occasion.
“It is a force multiplier in our anti-terror campaign and operations,” said General Raheel. Congratulating the nation, the scientists and technicians involved in the development of the drone, the army chief said: “Let’s join hands to take Pakistan forward in respective fields”.
MQ-1 Predator UAVs armed with Hellfire missiles have been used by the US as platforms for hitting ground targets. Armed Predators were first used in late 2001 by the US. Since then, there have been many reported cases of such attacks taking place in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia.
Strategic Plans Division & National Development Complex (NDC)
Pakistan had long aspired to have armed drones for bolstering its counter-terrorism capacity, but was only offered surveillance drones. The efforts to indigenously develop drone capability were first reported in 2009. The armed version of Burraq and the missiles have been produced by the Strategic Plans Division in collaboration with the National Development Complex (NDC), which is engaged in development of defence and aerospace products. The army and the air force had last year inducted the unarmed versions of Burraq and Shahpar.
Italian Falco-Selex Galileo Technology
It is believed that Burraq is based on Italian Falco-Selex Galileo technology. Some sections think that the Chinese contributed to Pakistan’s drone programme and the armed Burraq has similarities with China’s armed CH-3 drone.
Defence observers say the army established at least a squadron of Burraq drones before unveiling them. At the tests, Burraq drones fired missiles at both static and mobile targets.
Optimal Utility
These drones have proved irresistible given their ability to linger over their targets for extended periods of time, collect intelligence and deliver deadly missiles far more cheaply than conventional aircraft.
UAVs in Pakistan
There are several public sector companies involved in developing UAVs in Pakistan, including the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Air Weapons Complex (AWC) and National Development Complex (NDC).
UAE and Armed Forces of Pakistan
The PACs Uqaab drone is in use by the Pakistan Army which is being upgraded with Chinese help to carry a weapons payload. Other PAC UAVs include the Bazz and Ababeel. AWCs Bravo+ UAV is in use of the Pakistan Air force (PAF). The PAF recently acquired an unarmed Italian drone called the Falco UAV, which is reportedly being used for surveillance and battleground assessments in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. In 2008, the Pakistan Navy also reportedly completed trials of UAVs the Austrian Schiebel Camcopter S-100 and Swedish Cybaero from a Pakistani frigate in the Arabian Sea.
Private Sector Companies
Private sector companies are also involved in the design and development of UAVs. Apart from ID in Karachi, East-West Infinity (EWI), Satuma and Global Industrial Defense Solutions (GIDS) are in the drone-making business.
The EWIs Heliquad UAV is considered a stealth design because of its small size and Whisper Watch signals intelligence package, which is capable of picking up radio and other communication signals. IDs Nishan Mk1 and TJ1000, Vision MK1 & MK2, Tornado, Border Eagle, Hornet, Hawk and Vector are also popular models employed by the armed forces for reconnaissance missions and target practice (each model varies in range and endurance). Satumas UAVs, with similar functionalities, are called Flamingo, Jasoos and Mukhbar. For its part, the GIDS develop the Huma-1 UAV and its own version of the Uqaab.
Surface-to Surface-Ballistic Missile Shaheen-III
Pakistan conducted a successful test launch of surface-to surface-ballistic missile Shaheen-III, which is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 2,750 kilometers. Depending upon the missile’s placement, Pakistan would be capable of carrying out a nuclear strike from Israel in the West to Kazakhstan in the north and Burma in the east.
Strategic Importance of Shaheen-III
With the successful test of surface-to surface-ballistic missile Shaheen-III all of India has now come in the range of the Shaheen-III missile, which has the capability of carrying warheads up to a 2,750 kilometer- range. The test launch was aimed at validating various design and technical parameters of the weapon system at the maximum range.
The expanded range has now put all Indian strategic centres within range and reasserts deterrence after the Indo-US-Israeli Ballistic Missile Defence Cooperation (BMD).“India’s BMD programme threatened deterrence in the Sub-continent and natural fallout has been a higher level of nuclear weapons and delivery systems in the region.
Pakistan’s Main Focus
Unlike India’s expansive nuclear and missile programme ranging from SRBMs to ICBMs and BMD with a space-based component, Pakistan has focused on SRBMs and MRBMs, improving CEPs, range, payloads and reliability. Pakistan had also succeeded in developing a cruise missile as well as in miniaturisation, as reflected in the Nasr missile, so it is moving rapidly to the second strike capability, which will bolster and stabilise deterrence in the Sub-continent.
High Officials
The successful launch, with its impact point in the Arabian Sea, was witnessed by senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, strategic forces, scientists and engineers of strategic organisations.
President Mamnoon Hussain’s Appreciation
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appreciated the successful test fire of surface-to-surface missile and congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding achievement.
Director General Strategic Plans Division
Director General Strategic Plans Division, Lieutenant General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, while congratulating scientists and engineers on achieving yet another milestone of historic significance, termed it a major step towards strengthening Pakistan’s deterrence capability.
Technical Superiority
He appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists who had contributed wholeheartedly to make the launch a success. He showed his full confidence in the Strategic Command and Control System and the strategic forces’ capability to safeguard the security of the motherland against any aggression.
Conclusion
Testing of its indigenously-built armed drone ‘Burraq’ (flying horse) and test-fired laser-guided missile ‘Barq’ (lightning) and Shaheen III a nuclear-capable ballistic missile is the value-addition to country’s resolve towards terrorism. Now home-made drones would be easily utilized against all enemies of the State.
It is leap jump towards self-reliance in the field of military production and innovation. It has provided strategic depth and superiority to armed forces of Pakistan. Its optimal utility guarantees country’s territorial sovereignty and national pride too.
