Capabilityalarming defence forces
ISLAMABAD: Strategic circles in New Delhi have expressed profound concernfollowing confirmed intelligence assessments that Pakistan has successfullycommenced licensed domestic production of the advanced Turkish Kazilelmastealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle equipped with stand-off missilefiring capability. Defence sources indicate that the platform demonstratessignificant radar cross-section reduction features that substantiallydegrade the detection envelope of existing Indian air defence networks.
The Kazilelma, originally developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries underthe project name “Kızılelma” meaning Red Apple, represents afifth-generation unmanned combat system incorporating internal weapon bays,supercruise capability, and low observable airframe design. Multiplediplomatic and intelligence channels report that Pakistan AeronauticalComplex Kamra has established a dedicated assembly line under fulltechnology transfer agreement concluded with Baykar and TAI during the lasteighteen months.
Senior Indian military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity,acknowledged that initial flight trials of Pakistani variants have revealedelectronic signature characteristics that fall well below the detectionthreshold of current Indian ground-based and airborne radar arrays,including the indigenous Uttam AESA and imported Israeli EL/M-2052 systems.The integration of indigenous air-to-ground munitions withbeyond-visual-range engagement capability has further heightenedapprehension regarding the shifting air power equilibrium along the Line ofControl and international border.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations has neither confirmed nor deniedthe programme, maintaining its established policy of strategic ambiguityregarding advanced capability acquisition. However, satellite imageryanalysis conducted by independent observers has identified new hardenedassembly facilities at PAC Kamra consistent with the dimensionalrequirements of the Kazilelma platform.
The development marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s drive towardself-reliance in critical defence technologies and represents the deepestcollaboration yet between the Turkish and Pakistani defence industries.Military analysts note that operational deployment of even a limited fleetwould complicate Indian offensive air planning by introducing a persistentstealth threat capable of loitering deep inside contested airspace whileremaining largely invisible to legacy sensor suites.
The development has prompted urgent high-level consultations within theIndian Ministry of Defence regarding accelerated procurement ofnext-generation very high frequency and quantum radar systems specificallydesigned to counter low observable unmanned threats.
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Source: https://www.janes.com/defence-news
Source: https://www.tusas.com/en/products/unmanned-aerial-vehicles/kizilelma
Tags: Pakistan, India, Kazilelma, Turkish Aerospace, Stealth Drone, PACKamra
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