RAVEN Mini UAV being forced on Pakistan Army

[XYON]

Latest reports suggest that PAKISTAN ARMY HQ is again being forced to buy the Raven Mini UAV System made by the Aerovironment Group (USA) for its foot soldiers. The same system has already been rejected by the Indian Army last year due to poor performance during trials. Pakistan Army is very near in concluding a contract for purchase of RAVEN Mini UAV Systems (without comparative trials) at an average cost of around US$300,000.00 per system!

Let us hope that sense prevails in the decision makers to not to get stuck with an inferior system that falls below the Army requirements and where better systems are available in the market at a much lower cost.

Previously the RAVEN System was also offered in 2011 but at the time it was not purchased and until recently a Mini UAV system from SATUMA was bought but reports suggest that even that system is under performing and the Army is not satisfied with it.

 

[shah1398]

If we get it free of cost under the head of capacity building of FMS program then we have no issue with that but buying such a system as deemed inadequate by user is simply waste of money.

 

[XYON]

If we get it free of cost under the head of capacity building of FMS program then we have no issue with that but buying such a system as deem inadequate by user is simply waste of money.

Its NOT free or under FMS! Army is buying it through its own funds!

 

[باپ]

And how do you know?

 

[_NOBODY_]

Even if US offers us MQ-1 Predator we will reject it since we would be able to get our hands on CH-5 which will be on par with MQ-7 Reaper and MQ-7 Reaper is far superior to MQ-1 Predator. What Iam saying is that Chinese are willing to offer us much better UAVs as compare to the UAVs that US has to offer us.
@The Eagle @Quwa @Horus

 

[I S I]

Pakistan Army is not Indian army which can get pressurized by federal govt to buy junk. Its another matter if some one from Army it self is trying to make some kickbags.

 

[HRK]

Latest reports suggest that PAKISTAN ARMY HQ is again being forced to buy the Raven Mini UAV System made by the Aerovironment Group (USA) for its foot soldiers. The same system has already been rejected by the Indian Army last year due to poor performance during trials. Pakistan Army is very near in concluding a contract for purchase of RAVEN Mini UAV Systems (without comparative trials) at an average cost of around US$300,000.00 per system!

Let us hope that sense prevails in the decision makers to not to get stuck with an inferior system that falls below the Army requirements and where better systems are available in the market at a much lower cost.

Previously the RAVEN System was also offered in 2011 but at the time it was not purchased and until recently a Mini UAV system from SATUMA was bought but reports suggest that even that system is under performing and the Army is not satisfied with it.

Source of Information .... ???

 

[Tipu7]

He is source himself

Source of Information .... ???

@farhan_9909
Your take?

 

[RoadRunner401]

This was back in 2011

The US has offered a technology transfer for 85 mini Raven drones to the Pakistani Army under the US foreign military programme, sources have reported.

According to the Express Tribune, about 11 corps of the Pakistani Army are set to receive a system each and one ground station comprising the Raven aircraft.

The cost and model of the short-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) have not been disclosed, but it is estimated to cost between $200,000 and $275,000.

Pakistani Army spokesperson major general Athar Abbas, however, said the deal had not yet been formalised.

"We are yet to receive a formal proposal from the US regarding the Raven drone. So until we receive that I won't be able to give a comment," he added.

Local manufacturers, however, feel that Pakistan is capable of building an equally powerful version of the drone at just a fifth of the price quoted by the US.

 

[New World]

@XYON @Tipu7

what are the other options beside raven mini??

 

[Tipu7]

I don't know.
I was expecting Pakistan to develop its own portable UAV for surveillance purpose. Students in couple of Universities are doing splendid work in UAV and UGV in their final year projects.
India is looking to arm every Regiment with UAV from foreign market.
Don't know why it is ''forced'' upon us if it is not good enough.

@XYON @Tipu7

what are the other options beside raven mini??

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Raven appears to be , portable (backpack) type system quick recon while the troops are patrolling
Price is high however if we don't operate the systems in Army not bad to have some items in forces

 

[xyxmt]

bad idea to buy any surveillance equipment from US

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

Raven appears to be , portable (backpack) type system quick recon while the troops are patrolling
Price is high however if we don't operate the systems in Army not bad to have some items in forces

We already have technology on-par with this... We have a ton of domestic drones that are known for their quality and success throughout the world - many of them are being used to patrol international borders; most famously - the US-Mexican border.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

This was back in 2011

The US has offered a technology transfer for 85 mini Raven drones to the Pakistani Army under the US foreign military programme, sources have reported.

According to the Express Tribune, about 11 corps of the Pakistani Army are set to receive a system each and one ground station comprising the Raven aircraft.

The cost and model of the short-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) have not been disclosed, but it is estimated to cost between $200,000 and $275,000.

Pakistani Army spokesperson major general Athar Abbas, however, said the deal had not yet been formalised.

"We are yet to receive a formal proposal from the US regarding the Raven drone. So until we receive that I won't be able to give a comment," he added.

Local manufacturers, however, feel that Pakistan is capable of building an equally powerful version of the drone at just a fifth of the price quoted by the US.

And they did ..

Several govt & private companies are marketing and selling these and more UAVs of this class (and MALE etc) to Pak military and international buyers.