Karachi Defense Expo 2022: Pakistan Military's Focus on AI, Connectivity and Drone Warfare

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan displayed its latest drones at IDEAS 2022 (International Defence Exhibition and Seminar) Defense Expo held in November in Karachi. It also presented sessions on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and connectivity. The event attracted more than 50 countries, including large pavilions set up by Pakistan's closest friends China and Turkey.  The four-day IDEAS 2022 opened on November 15, 2022 at Karachi Expo Centre, bringing together 300 leading national and international defense manufacturers and over 300 foreign delegates from 57 countries.

Pakistan's Shahpar 2 Attack Drone

Shahpar 2 Drone:

On display at IDEAS 2022 was Shahpar-2 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) attack drone  produced by Global Industrial and Defense Solutions (GIDS), a Pakistani state-owned defense conglomerate. It can fly at a maximum speed of around 222 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum range of around 1,050 kilometers, and the data link range of 300 kilometers. It can contact satellites in day or night operations.   

Shahpar 2 drone can locate, surveil, track and attack targets.  Its Zumr-II (EO/IR) turret is an improved and lighter version of Zumr-I (EP) turret. It can also be equipped with SAR, COMINT/ELINT payload. For sensors and targeting systems drone has an internal hard-point where it carry 50 kg (110 lb) payload. (Zumr-I weighs 36.5 kg (80 lb) while Zumr-II weighs 49 kg (108 lb)). The drone has two external hard-points where it can carry laser guided weapons, AGMs 60 kg (130 lb) each. Shapar 2 has already been inducted into service with Pakistan’s Army, Navy, and Air Force. 

Pakistan Navy's Cruise Missiles: Babur, Harba and Zarb. Source: Quwa

Also on display were advanced Harbah anti-ship cruise missiles made by Pakistan's state-owned Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) and electronic warfare system produced by National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC). The locally developed Al-Khalid tanks and modern assault rifles manufactured by Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF) were also exhibited. Visitors also got a close look at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighter jets produced jointly by China and Pakistan. 

JF-17 Block III: 

JF-Block-III is a BVR (Beyond Visual Range) multi-role fighter jet capable of firing long range air-to-air missiles like China's PL-10 and PL-15. It features active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system, making it Pakistan Air Force’s first AESA-equipped fighter aircraft. Combination of AESA radar and 120-mile range PL-15 missiles make the JF-17 Block 3 an extremely lethal fighter for beyond visual range combat, considerably more capable than any fighter in Pakistani service including the F-16.  It also has a new electronic warfare system, upgraded avionics including a three-axis fly-by-wire digital flight control system, and a helmet-mounted display and sight (HDMS) system. With its new integrated sensor package, the aircraft will have the capability for quick information sharing and network-enabled operations that facilitate earlier detection and interception of enemy aircraft. 

Pakistan JF-17 Block 3 Fighter Jet

Chinese and Turkish Pavilions:

Pakistan’s longtime allies China and Turkey had the largest foreign presence at IDEAS 2022. Chinese state-run defense conglomerate China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO) displayed missiles and weapon systems including the Red Arrow 9A anti-tank guided missile.  

Turkey displayed a scale model of its fifth-generation fighter, codenamed the TF-X, at Pakistan’s IDEAS expo 2022. Over two dozen Turkish defense manufacturers participated in Pakistan’s IDEAS defense expo this year. 

Top Turkish defense manufacturers, including Roketsan, state-run STM and ASFAT, showcased their products ranging from modern armed drones to tactical mini-UAV systems. Turkish Aerospace exhibited the models of the T129 ATAK helicopter, Gokbey multirole helicopter, Gokturk-2 observation satellite, as well as Anka unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and Aksungur medium-altitude long-range endurance (MALE) UAV.

AI and Connectivity:   

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a Cognitive Electronic Warfare (CEW) program in 2020 at its Center for Artificial Intelligence and Computing (CENTAIC). Modern connected weapon systems generate vast amounts of data requiring artificial intelligence and machine learning software for speedy analysis and rapid decision-making on the battlefield.  

A seminar titled ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Defence Market: A Paradigm Shift in Military Strategy and National Security’ was organized as part of IDEAS-22. Also discussed was ‘One Network’, an advanced communication project, under which 3,000 kilometers of underground fibre optic cable is being laid along the motorways in Pakistan.  

An example of connectivity and integration was demonstrated in Operation Swift Retort against India in February 2019. The success of this operation was the result of combat-proven PAF fighters which are fully integrated with the air defense system (e.g. AWACS), and are mutually data-linked, alongside all AEW (Airborne Early Warning) and ground sensors. 

Rethink After Ukraine War:

The war in Ukraine is forcing a defense strategy rethink in countries around the world. This is particularly true of  countries such as India that rely mainly on Russian equipment and training. Hindustan Times has quoted an unnamed former Indian Army Chief as saying:  “War videos available show that the Russian Army has tactical issues in Ukraine war. Tell me, which tank formation goes to war in a single file without air or infantry cover when the opponent is equipped with the best anti-tank guided missile like Javelin or Turkish Bayraktar TB2 missile firing drones? There is question on Russian air supremacy with Ukraine Army armed with shoulder fired Stinger surface to air missiles as well as the night fighting capability of the Russian Air Force.”

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[Riaz Haq]

https://quwa.org/quwa-premium/new-air-launched-munitions-are-a-key-piece-of-pakistans-dr...

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 se..., 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 collaboratio....

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.

[Riaz Haq]

New weapons development in Pakistan: Post by Kaz on X


Kaz
@kozamli
𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙡: 𝙋𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣'𝙨 𝙐𝙥𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 ⏭️⚔️

This thread sheds light on a few indeginous weapon systems that are under development in Pakistan - a testament to Pakistan's self-reliance in defence.

https://x.com/kozamli/status/1825684964651807207

𝟭.) 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗵𝗽𝗮𝗿-𝗜𝗜𝗜 (𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝟰+ 𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗩)
Successor to the Shahpar 1 & 2,
The Shahpar 3 is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UCAV presenting a leap forward in Pakistan’s domestic drone capabilities and is set to be unveiled at the upcoming IDEAS 2024 exhibition


The Shahpar 3 can be armed with the Pakistani made "Burq," an Air Launched Laser Guided Missile, or Burq 2 (under development).
This is the same missile that Pakistan used with its Indeginously developed "Burraq" drone in 2015 to become the 4th country to use drones in combat.

𝗙𝗔𝗔𝗭-𝟮: 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 (𝗕𝗩𝗥) 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲
Successor to the FAAZ-1 Missile. The FAAZ-2 is a major upgrade in terms of capability and especially range (FAAZ-1 is ~100km) relative to its predecessor, with an impressive range of 180km.


Pakistan already manufactures two Chinese-developed air-to-air missiles with licensed assembly/production: the beyond-visual-range PL-12/SD-10A and the infrared-guided PL-5EII missile.
The FAAZ-2 is likely being developed for the Indeginously manufactured JF-17 Thunder fighter.

𝗟𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗦 (𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸-𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺)
This low to medium air defence system would be the first of a kind that Pakistan is manufacturing.

In addition to the E-SHORADS (Extended short-range air defence system) based on the FAAZ air to air missile, these two systems would be a welcome addition to Pakistan's domestic AD capabilities...

...Which currently only comprises of the ANZA MANPADS (Man portable Airdefence system), which has seen both combat & export success.
https://x.com/kozamli/status/1802260291981332800?t=PgB-gatPgz8HfuLy...

Pakistans Domestic AD capabilities often pale in relativity to the rest of its thriving Mil-industrial capabilities.

𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘀
Pakistan is Also currently developing GRAD (Low/ Medium Altitude Air Surveillance Radar)
&
Multi-Function Air Defence Radar (MFADR) fully solid state, 3-D Active Phased Array Radar System

However, Pakistan already manufactures a wide array of radars in joint ventures (mostly with the Chinese). Including the prized KLJ-7A AESA radar used in its JF-17 Thunder Block 3 aircraft - Making Pakistan one of the few countries that manufacture AESA radars domestically

[Riaz Haq]

Kaz
@kozamli
𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗵- 𝟯&𝟰 (𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 (𝗚𝗠𝗟𝗥𝗦))
After the FATAH-1 (150km range) & FATAH-2 (400km range), GIDS is now developing;
•FATAH-3, with a 450km range
•FATAH-4 with a 700km range

https://x.com/kozamli/status/1825685157535183302


the Fatah-2 fields a “supersonic glide vehicle” that separates from the propulsion system in the upper atmosphere. This alludes to a manoeuvring warhead capability - making it incredibly challenging to defend against.

Pakistans key rationale behind the development of longer ranged FATAH systems could also allude to how Pakistan might try to counter India's S400s - a tactic Ukraine used to destroy multiple Russian S400s via its ATACMS - a system similar to the FATAH.

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒓:
This is not even 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 to being an exhaustive list. There are many different weapons systems under development in Pakistan. Coincidently, this thread focuses on weapon systems under development at GIDS.
Read more at ⬇️
https://gids.com.pk/road-to-future

[Riaz Haq]

Ideas-2024 to be held in November

https://www.nation.com.pk/12-Jun-2024/ideas-2024-to-be-held-in-nove...

KARACHI - International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is a mega event in South Asia; biennially organised in Pakistan by Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP). Since its inception in the year 2000, IDEAS has emerged as an international rendezvous for defence manufacturers, entrepreneurs, R&D specialists, financial experts and top level policy makers to promote cooperation, knowledge sharing and support ventures in the field of defence collaboration.

12th Edition of IDEAS-2024 is scheduled from 19-22 November 2024 at Karachi Expo Centre (KEC). To commence the preparations for this strategically important event, 1st Steering Committee Meeting was arranged by DEPO on 11 June 2024 at Karachi Expo Centre under auspices of Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar, HI (M) (Commander 5 Corps, Karachi). It was attended by senior representatives from federal ministries, various departments of Government of Sindh, Armed Forces of Pakistan, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), national electronic/print media and Badar Expo Solutions, the event manager. The meeting was aimed at bringing all stakeholders at one page for holding this major event of Pakistan at par with international standards.

In his opening address, Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar, HI (M) highlighted that hosting the 12th edition of IDEAS is a testimony to our pledge for encouraging technological growth and exchange. The event will significantly contribute towards fostering and promoting Pakistan’s strategic relations with international fraternity and would serve to achieve the shared objectives of global peace, stability and balance. Director General DEPO, Maj General Asad Nawaz Khan, HI(M) in his closing remarks reiterated that successful conduct of all editions of IDEAS is attributed to overwhelming support of government departments, Armed Forces of Pakistan, public/private defence industry, trade bodies and largely to the people of Karachi.

[Riaz Haq]

How Pakistan Can Emulate Russia’s Use of Ballistic Missiles


https://quwa.org/pakistan-army-news/how-pakistan-can-emulate-russia...

On 02 July, Russia said that it destroyed five Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Flanker fighter aircraft by using the Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile (TBM). The TBM strikes took place at Myrhorod airfield, which is located in Ukraine’s central Poltava region.

Though Russia’s claims are disputed by Ukraine, it still seems that the Russian military is finding success in its use of TBMs against Ukraine, notably the latter’s high-value targets (HVT), such as its airbases. In fact, Russia appears to specifically be targeting parked or stationary combat aircraft with its TBMs, hence speaking to a wider strategy of using the relatively low-cost munition to neutralize high-cost assets.


Not only are the strikes proving effective in depleting Kyiv’s air combat capabilities, but it also casts into question whether Ukraine is capable of protecting its forthcoming Western fighters, like the F-16. At the same time however, Russia is also vulnerable to similar action from Ukraine, which aims to use ballistic missiles, like the GM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), against the Russians.

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Pakistan’s Army Takes Precision-Strike into its Own Hands
One of the most notable trends in Pakistan’s procurement policies has been the significant focus on giving the Pakistan Army (PA) its own precision-guided long-range strike capabilities. The Fatah-line of surface- to-surface missiles (SSM) is a key driver for achieving these capabilities.

The Fatah-1 is a guided multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) with a range of 140 km. Global Industrial Defence Solutions (GIDS) revealed an extended range variant of the MLRS with a range of 250 km. This was originally called the Fatah-2, but the designation was later given to a different platform, a TBM tested in 2024. The stated-range of the Fatah-2 is 400 km and, in March 2024, Pakistan revealed that it was also working on a Fatah-3 and Fatah-4 with ranges of 450 km and 700 km, respectively.

The Fatah-series adds to the Babur-line of land-attack cruise missiles (LACM), thereby providing the PA with a well-rounded stand-off strike capability that reaches up to 700 km. However, one should expect the PA to pursue even longer ranged designs, potentially in excess of 1,000 km, in the future.

Overall, the PA could be viewing the Fatah and Babur as important assets for deprecating India’s combat capabilities by targeting the latter’s air bases, air defence sites, and other HVTs that, at least in prior years, would have been the primary focus of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).