The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is working on a project to develop unmanned aircraft powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to operate alongside manned fighter jets. This innovation aims to enhance air combat capabilities in the future, according to a senior PAF official.
This announcement came during the launch of Pakistan’s advanced drone, Shahpar-III, at the 12th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS-2024) in Karachi. The four-day event, held from November 19-22, showcased advancements in defense technology.
Air Commodore Dr. Salman Aslam, head of the Central Ward Intelligence and Computing at PAF, explained that this project started four years ago. The vision is to enable manned fighter jets to communicate and coordinate with a fleet of unmanned aircraft. “The concept of ‘manned and unmanned teaming’ is the future of air combat,” he stated.
Although the timeline for implementing this system is uncertain, it could take anywhere from 10 to 30 years, Dr. Aslam said. Globally, there is still debate over whether AI can fully control a fleet of warplanes without pilots.
At IDEAS-2024, PAF also displayed the advanced JF-17 Block-3 warplane. This third-generation aircraft features cutting-edge avionics and is equipped to handle modern aerial warfare, including all-weather operations. It can carry advanced weapons such as long-range missiles, anti-radiation missiles, and laser-guided bombs.
Shahpar-III Drone Launched
Asad Kamal, CEO of Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS-Pakistan), announced the launch of the Shahpar-III drone. This unmanned aerial vehicle can fly at heights of 30,000 feet for 12-16 hours and carry six weapons.
Shahpar-III can be used for both surveillance and defense. It can locate targets from 25 to 1,000 kilometers away and execute precise air-to-ground and air-to-sea attacks. Kamal noted that the drone’s technology is comparable to advanced drones developed by Turkiye.
Shahpar-III is capable of identifying threats such as hidden terrorists and eliminating them with precision, making it a valuable asset for both surveillance and combat missions.
Source: tribune
