Pakistan recently unveiled its new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Shahpar-III drone, which Islamabad claims boasts game-changing next-gen capabilities. Asad Kamal, the CEO of Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS), Pakistan’s defence research agency which developed the Shahpar-3, recently gave an overview of the UAV’s capabilities.
Shahpar-3 capabilities
Asad said the Shahpar-3, which he claimed was developed entirely indigenously by Pakistan over a course of just two years, boasts an impressive wingspan of 67 meters, and is capable of operating at altitudes above 35,000 feet for 30 hours at a range of 2,500 km.
The Shahpar-3 drone has six hardpoints, and is capable of carrying a payload of around 500 kilos, including up to eight weapons, according to reports.
Its clear that the Shahpar-3’s capabilities boasts highly impressive capabilities on paper, however, Pakistan’s lack of expertise and experience in developing UAVs, coupled with its documented dependence on allied nations like China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey, for UAV technologies, leaves a big question mark on the Shahpar’s real-world performance.
Shahpar-3 vs TAPAS, Hermes 900
The Shahpar-3’s capabilities listed by the GIDS chief, undoubtedly make it one of most advance military drones in the world, at least on paper, but Pakistan’s supposedly ‘homegrown’ UAV remains an untested entity, unlike its India’s TAPAS or the Israeli Hermes 900 UAV, which have showcased real-world results.
The Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance (TAPAS) drone, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), can operate at altitudes of up to 28,000 feet and has a proven endurance of nearly 24 hours. DRDO has subjected TAPAS to years of rigorous testing and development before deploying it in real-world scenarios.
Its often found that the actual operational performance of many UAVs falls short of their advertised capabilities, and even the Israel-made Hermes 900, used by the Indian Navy, does not have the endurance and payload capacity which Pakistan claims the Shahpar-III is capable of.
Are the Shahpar-3’s claimed capabilities genuine?
Despite Pakistan’s tall claims, the Shahpar-3 remains an untested entity, and its capabilities remains highly questionable due to various reasons.
For example, Pakistan claim of the Shahpar-3 being able to operate at 35,000 feet with a 30-hour endurance, and carrying 500-kg payload, is a monumental one, because the country does not have history of independently developing sophisticated UAV technologies, that too in such a short span of time.
Pakistan claims the Shahpar-3 drone was developed indigenously, which also raises eyebrows, as Islamabad has always relied on China for its UAV technologies, such as the CH-4 and Wing Loong drones. Pakistan also uses Turkey’s Baykar TB2 drone and other less advanced ones from China and Iran, who are proficient in UAV platforms.
Additionally, Pakistan has not disclosed what kind of propulsion system is used in the Shahpar-III, which could be used to determine and validate its claimed capability of reaching an altitude of 35,000 feet and having an endurance period of 30 hours with a 2,500 km range, and a 500 kg payload carrying.
What this means for India?
Despite the doubtful claims, the Shahpar-3 could prove to be a true game-changer for Pakistan if it’s capabilities are indeed the same as advertised. Pakistan’s advanced drone could pose a serious challenge to India’s aerial surveillance and strike capabilities, if the claims about its capabilities are true.
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