48 CH-4s are just the initial order... deal was actually signed a few years ago. This is in addition to the domestic Buraq that is in production and in use with the army for over a decade now.
en.wikipedia.org
The Ch-4s are longer range and more payload in comparison to the Burraq. They will provide immense capability especially in such large numbers. I expect the Pakistani military to also focus on a co-production with Turkey (Burraq 2?), word is Pakistani military officers are greatly impressed and interested in Turkish drones as well due to their success in the recent azeri conflict.
In the medium term (5-10) years I would not be surprised if Pakistans UCAV fleet easily surpasses 200+ systems and becomes amongst the worlds largest and most advance. Critical technologies and systems will have to be procured from key partners such as China and Turkey. I expect these 2 countries to become Pakistans largest defence partners.
Pakistan UCAV fleet currently:
- 50 Burraq (expect total production to be 100+)
-19 CH-4s (30 more on order. Expect follow up orders of CH-5)
- 50 Turkish MALE drones (More than likely)
Although 'we' wrote a proposal for way forward in the Balochistan but i will touch base on Drones:
- Conduct Surveillance & Recon operation along border region & hotspots with in Pakistan. These Hotspots are the areas with high incident / attack rate
- SIGINT operation
- Drone Strikes for targeted attacks
- Special Ops to be deployed following the strike for BDA (Battle Damage Assessment). Verify target was neutralize
- Ensure open communication to the Public on the drone attacks in order to avoid negative propaganda. There will be negative PR once we start carrying out drone strikes. Hence it is imperative that public be made aware of the situation.
The CH-4s do not provide the Pakistani military with any new capability vis via Balochistan/FATA. Pakistan has used the Burraq to conduct domestic drone strikes since 2009. We could have used Burraq drones to decimate BLA/TTP terrorist many years ago. Why do you think even the US calls our generals lazy?
Yeah sure a single CH-4 might be able to do the job of 2-3 Burraqs but have we even used 2-3 burraqs against terrorist in balochistan/afghanistan/iran ? answer is NOOOO.
hell our civilians are being bombed daily in kashmir and we havnt annihalated even 1 indian 155mm gun using a drone strike?
You know why our fat arse generals send soldiers in pick up trucks without any body armor, night vision, or basic gear to fight terrorist equipped to the teethe? Because they dont wanna spend a few extra thousand to use a missile to kill these bastards... they wanna save that $$$ for the luxury plots they wanna get or the fees they wanna pay for their kids at harvard...
There is a lack of political will. Even 100+ CH-4s/Predators/Etc... will not change anything without strong political will to annihalate terrorist foreign and domestic.
Navy and AF are getting theirs too.
