Technology TransferISLAMABAD: In a bold strategic maneuver that underscores deepening militaryties between Islamabad and Ankara, Pakistan has decided to acquire thelatest variant of Turkey’s Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned combat aerialvehicle, complete with comprehensive technology transfer provisions. Thisdeal would mark a pivotal shift in South Asia’s aerial warfare dynamics,positioning Pakistan at the forefront of stealth drone innovation amidescalating regional tensions.
The Kizilelma, developed by Baykar Technology—a powerhouse in unmannedsystems renowned for its Bayraktar TB2 drones that revolutionized conflictsfrom Ukraine to Nagorno-Karabakh—represents the pinnacle offifth-generation unmanned fighter technology. Measuring 14.5 meters inlength with a 10-meter wingspan, the jet-powered UCAV boasts a low radarcross-section for stealth operations, aggressive maneuverability, and apayload capacity of 1,500 kilograms. Capable of carrying laser-guidedmunitions, air-to-air missiles, and long-range cruise missiles, it achievesspeeds up to 0.9 Mach, operates at altitudes exceeding 35,000 feet, anddelivers a combat radius of 500 nautical miles. Recent tests in November2025 saw the Kizilelma achieve a world-first by downing a jet-poweredtarget with a beyond-visual-range missile, all using indigenous Turkishradar and guidance systems, underscoring its lethal air-to-air prowess.
Pakistan will receive an initial batch of six to eight Kizilelma-A subsonicvariants, with options for supersonic upgrades in future tranches.Crucially, the technology transfer clause allows Pakistani engineers at theNational Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) to co-producesubsequent units, fostering self-reliance in drone manufacturing. Thismirrors prior collaborations, such as the 2022 delivery of Bayraktar TB2and Akinci drones, but elevates the partnership to new heights. “Thisacquisition isn’t just about hardware; it’s about embedding Turkishingenuity into Pakistan’s defense ecosystem, ensuring we lead rather thanfollow in aerial dominance,” a senior Pakistani defense analyst remarked,highlighting the deal’s role in countering perceived imbalances withneighboring adversaries.
The timing is just weeks after Kizilelma’s groundbreaking BVR test offTurkey’s Sinop coast, amplifies its geopolitical weight. Accompanied byF-16 escorts in trials, the drone demonstrated seamless manned-unmannedteaming, a capability Pakistan aims to integrate into its JF-17 Thunderfleet. For Turkey, exporting to Pakistan—alongside potential buyers likeAzerbaijan—bolsters Baykar’s global footprint, with exports projected toexceed $1 billion annually. Yet, this move has sparked concerns in NewDelhi, where officials decry it as an escalation in the arms race,prompting accelerated indigenous drone programs like the Ghatak UCAV.
With production slated to commence by mid-2026, Pakistan’s foray intostealth UAVs heralds a new era of asymmetric warfare, where innovationtrumps numbers.
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Source: www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68901234″>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68901234
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