Drones deal close at hand

[DaRk WaVe]

Drones deal close at hand​

KARACHI: The Pakistan Army is inching closer to realising its dream of owning Predator drones – the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) notorious for launching successful strikes against high-profile militants – even as the institution keeps the deal under wraps, The Express Tribune has learnt.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GAAS) Inc., the US-based company that manufactures Predators, informed The Express Tribune via email that it has the approval for an ‘export-approved version’ of the aircraft, which it now plans to sell for the first time to countries outside the US, Nato countries, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Earlier, the company’s president Frank Pace was quoted in the press as saying that “General Atomics see the potential for sales of as many as 100 units in the Middle East and Pakistan of the so-called Predator XP model approved for export.” The Middle East countries include Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

This statement was made at the recently held Farnborough Air Show near London, where a delegation of the Pakistan armed forces was also present to display their two JF-17 Thunder aircraft.

When asked to elaborate on the above statement, a GAAS spokesperson Kimberly A Kasitz said: “It is true that various Middle Eastern countries have expressed interest in an export-approved version of Predator A and that we have received licences to begin discussions with several of these countries about a potential sale.”

Kasitz added that the company has applied for a licence with the US State Department to begin negotiations for such a sale with Pakistan also. But she clarified that it was still pending and as of now “we have not yet received a licence.”

Local drone manufacturers in Pakistan, who wish to stay anonymous, insist that the development is significant. “The admission of seeking a licence only goes to show that our armed forces have sent their specifications to the company,” says one insider, who has sold his UAVs to many foreign countries, including the US.

“When one applies for a licence from the State Department, it’s not just a request asking for permission to talk to a certain customer. Companies only seek a licence when they get a complete list of their customer’s requirements.” He says that it is only a matter of time before Pakistan will be spending millions of dollars on the product.

However, another industry insider from Islamabad says the “GAAS was pursuing this with the US government for more than a year now and seems like they may have been given the nod. However, the first buyers are likely to be the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan’s turn will come much later.”

Elaborating, he says there are many concerns over giving such a sophisticated product to Pakistan, including the fear that it may be used on the border with India. “They are also worried about the possibility that cheap Chinese copycats would be made in case Beijing gained access to the product.”

He informed that another drone, the Boeing’s Scan Eagle, was also being considered by our forces.

Experts argue that the GAAS’s Predator A or Predator XP type product being offered by GAAS is a “stripped down” drone which is unarmed and capable of reconnaissance missions only. Also, they point out that the Predator requires satellite feed to operate in order to truly utilise its capabilities. “One can operate a Predator-type drone even without a satellite using ground control stations only. But the problem in that case would be that it would operate only when the UAV is within line of sight. For any operations beyond visual range, which truly is the hallmark of the Predator, would require satellite links,” says an expert, adding that the less said about the state of Pakistani satellites the better.

A senior Pakistan army official backed the claim and said: “The only reason why we still don’t have an armed drone like the Predator is that it requires satellite capability. It’s true that until we cross that hurdle, we won’t be able to realise the full potential of such a high-end product even if we get it.”

The price of a Predator is anywhere between $4 and $15 million. According to an estimate, a 10 aircraft Predator system comprising ground stations and software can carry a price-tag of a staggering $400 million.

Meanwhile, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Athar Abbas has denied knowledge of any communication with the American company GAAS. He said as of today no “official contact” has been made with the company.

He denied that any meeting between representatives of GAAS and Pakistan armed forces took place at the Farnborough Air Show regarding the Predator drones. “To suggest anything about prospects for Predator-type drones for Pakistan would be speculation,” he added.

Drones deal close at hand – The Express Tribune

Armed Forces have sent in the required specifications to the company but it apparently seems they want unarmed drones

 

[mughaljee]

Good news to hear that, Our Own UAV will be launched soon.
Am i right.

 

[Quwa]

Note that Pakistan has several key UAV programs:

1. Burraq armed-UAV by NESCOM

2. Falco UAV by PAC Kamra and Selex Galileo. While a surveillance and support UAV, there is a good chance that Pakistan might acquire the Falco-Evo as an enhanced surveillance/support and armed-UAV later on.

3. Cooperation from AWC/AERO with Turkey's TAI on the latter's Anka MALE UAV program. Again, in later years the Anka may too become an armed-UAV, and it is also possible that Pakistan may seek them. Pakistan might even try to co-produce them (for Pakistani requirements).

Predator XP might be seen as either redundant OR as a score if utilized as the benchmark in terms of build quality and performance. In many ways it will inevitably contribute to the Pakistani UAV industry. The other potential partner (and should be pursued) is South Africa with their Bateleur, and of course, Turkey with the Anka.

 

[Tayyab1796]

I think we should go with Turkish UAV and not American UAV . The only reason y Pak might go for an American UAV maybe that we don't pay anything for it from our pocket and funds might get deducted from Coalition support fund.

 

[nomi007]

good news.............

 

[fatman17]

Note that Pakistan has several key UAV programs:

1. Burraq armed-UAV by NESCOM

2. Falco UAV by PAC Kamra and Selex Galileo. While a surveillance and support UAV, there is a good chance that Pakistan might acquire the Falco-Evo as an enhanced surveillance/support and armed-UAV later on.

3. Cooperation from AWC/AERO with Turkey's TAI on the latter's Anka MALE UAV program. Again, in later years the Anka may too become an armed-UAV, and it is also possible that Pakistan may seek them. Pakistan might even try to co-produce them (for Pakistani requirements).

Predator XP might be seen as either redundant OR as a score if utilized as the benchmark in terms of build quality and performance. In many ways it will inevitably contribute to the Pakistani UAV industry. The other potential partner (and should be pursued) is South Africa with their Bateleur, and of course, Turkey with the Anka.

....and the armed chinese UAV recently demo'd to the army chief during his china visit.

 

[TaimiKhan]

I have no idea why is Pakistan still trying to go for such an expensive platform which will be stripped down version, while there are so many other programs in the pipeline around the world in which we can invest and get a real good UAV with reconnaissance as well as armed versions.

We can make our own and get some foreign missile system integrated with it.

Joint collaboration with China is an option.

Turkish one is an option.

South Africans can be looked into.

Falco design can be further improved upon and made into an armed version.

 

[Patriot]

Taimikhan all those options are good but the delivery date is not good!We need Predators because they have huge loiter we need Surveillance Assets ASAP in Waziristan we dont need more dead soldiers.

 

[TaimiKhan]

Taimikhan all those options are good but the delivery date is not good!We need Predators because they have huge loiter we need Surveillance Assets ASAP in Waziristan we dont need more dead soldiers.

Your Falco UAVs provide 10hr+ surveillance capability, 14 hrs is the official time period.

If you need 24 Hr service, you can make more Falco UAVs in house with much much reduced cost compared to what a Predator will cost.

Falco UAVs can be handed over to Army also who can have their own long haul surveillance capability, Falco design is a proven design, a larger version can also be made with bigger engine and longer duration of in air timing.

Falco is more versatile as it can be used from rough made runways right at the operation areas & has pretty short take off distance, whereas Predator would be needing a dedicated air base and as the article says satellite system for controlling it at longer ranges.

Falco UAVs can be stationed right in Wanna, DI Khan, Bannu and flown from there, thus not much larger distances to cover and can be kept for larger time period over the area.

Here see from where this UAV can operate and the short take off distance it has, rough runway and best thing is majority of it is made within country and the design can be improved upon also.

 

[Rana4pak]

goog news

 

[SEAL]

Falco UAVs can be handed over to Army also who can have their own long haul surveillance capability, Falco design is a proven design, a larger version can also be made with bigger engine and longer duration of in air timing.

Falco is more versatile as it can be used from rough made runways right at the operation areas & has pretty short take off distance, whereas Predator would be needing a dedicated air base and as the article says satellite system for controlling it at longer ranges.

Here see from where this UAV can operate and the short take off distance it has, rough runway and best thing is majority of it is made within country and the design can be improved upon also.

Falco can also be launched from catapult

In my opinion PAF next choice should be Falco Evo for Surveillance and later ANKA-B for search and destroy.

 

[hataf]

I have no idea why is Pakistan still trying to go for such an expensive platform which will be stripped down version, while there are so many other programs in the pipeline around the world in which we can invest and get a real good UAV with reconnaissance as well as armed versions.

We can make our own and get some foreign missile system integrated with it.

Joint collaboration with China is an option.

Turkish one is an option.

South Africans can be looked into.

Falco design can be further improved upon and made into an armed version.

Taimi bahi i think this would great for research and development and for studding different aspect to further improve our own system

 

[Arsalan]

I have no idea why is Pakistan still trying to go for such an expensive platform which will be stripped down version, while there are so many other programs in the pipeline around the world in which we can invest and get a real good UAV with reconnaissance as well as armed versions.

We can make our own and get some foreign missile system integrated with it.

Joint collaboration with China is an option.

Turkish one is an option.

South Africans can be looked into.

Falco design can be further improved upon and made into an armed version.

completely agreed!

it would be a stupid decesion to go for scale down version of the UAV and that too from USA and tsht also worth som 400 million US $. it will be an all lose situation we mat get into.

Pakistan is doing good in UAV oriduction. we also have the ability to make small jet engines (like the ones that fit thr Babus missile) and targetting system (from Falco). all that is required is to out all the knowledge bit together.

cooperation wih Turkey and China can be helpfull in development of something lot cheaper, with no strings, indegenious and able to meet requirments!

regards!

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

Pak army doesnot make many foolish decisions regarding weapons procurement---you people need to look and dig a little deeper than what shows on the surface---.

If the pak army is pursuing the american uav---then your antenaes need to go up first thing and the question to be asked is why --- what does the falco lack that the predator offers. What is the significance of this purchase?

By now---you people should learn to think differently---you should favour the proven and tested weapons systems over the unproven and nascent systems.

Remember---war is not the time to test the capabilities of your weapon.

 

[True_Pakistan_Zindabad]

We have made no advancements in synthetic material or radar cross section reduction/minimization. By the time we adopt the Reaper it will be facing stealth drones with fighter/bomber multi-role capabilities. Our military needs many things, and for the life of me I can't figure out why a nation who ate grass to wield nukes are constantly pleading for minor goods like helicopters and drones when they know their capabilities can produce these things.