Pakistan developing indigenous UAVs

Pakistans Integrated Defence Systems (IDS) and Advanced Computing and Engineering Solutions, which are developing indigenous Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), have said that it is likely to take another 18 months of spiral development on their respective UAVs before army production starts.

Islamabad, Sept 18 : Pakistan's Integrated Defence Systems (IDS) and Advanced Computing and Engineering Solutions, which are developing indigenous Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), have said that it is likely to take another 18 months of spiral development on their respective UAVs before army production starts.

The two firms are working on development of their respective Eagle Eye PI, Eagle Eye PII and Huma-1 tactical UAVs, and say that they are regularly conducting demonstrations for the Pakistan Army in response to ongoing requests for capability modifications.

According to flightglobal.com, a final statement of requirement is still to be finalised by the service, with Islamabad currently taking delivery of 12 Galileo Avionica Falco tactical UAVs to meet its urgent operational requirements.

The website said that the ongoing parallel indigenous development efforts are aimed at ensuring ongoing national technical and manufacturing capability in the UAV sector.

Huma-1, which can be launced from truck, has been flying since 200. Having a 14.4ft (4.4m) wing span and 130kg maximum take-off weight, it is intended to operate as a battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance asset. The Eagle Eye PI/II systems are both runway dependent.

Besides Huma-1, IDS is also working on a larger derivative that will provide increased payload and endurance, but will remain within the tactical air vehicle category.

ANI