ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army has initiated field trials of first-personview (FPV) drones along the Eastern border, marking a significant upgradein tactical reconnaissance and strike capabilities. Military sourcesconfirmed that units from the Army Aviation Corps are evaluatingindigenously developed and imported FPV systems in realistic combatscenarios near the Line of Control and the international border with India.These compact, high-speed drones, controlled through live video feeds, arebeing tested for swarm operations, precision targeting, and electronicwarfare resistance.
The timing of the exercise coincides with renewed diplomatic frictionbetween Islamabad and New Delhi following the expiry of a fragile ceasefireunderstanding in the disputed Kashmir region. Analysts view the deploymentas a direct response to India’s own integration of loitering munitions anddrone swarms into its forward corps. Pakistan’s military leadership appearsdetermined to close the perceived asymmetry in unmanned aerial assets,which proved decisive in recent regional conflicts.
FPV drones offer several operational advantages in the undulating terrainof Punjab and Jammu. Their low radar cross-section and ability to fly below100 feet make them difficult to detect by conventional air defence radars.Equipped with miniature explosives or grenade payloads, a single operatorcan neutralise high-value targets such as command posts or artillerypositions with pinpoint accuracy. More importantly, the real-time videolink allows rapid decision-making, reducing collateral damage in populatedborder villages.
Defence experts argue that mastery of FPV technology could alter thecalculus of limited conventional war. In a potential escalation, Pakistancould saturate Indian forward defences with inexpensive drone waves,overwhelming costly missile defence batteries. This deterrent posturealigns with the army’s doctrine of full-spectrum deterrence, extending fromnuclear to sub-conventional domains. The trials also underscore Islamabad’spush for self-reliance in defence production, with local firms nowassembling carbon-fibre frames and encrypted control systems under licence.
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While both sides maintain hotlines to prevent miscalculation, the paralleldrone programmes risk accidental escalation. A misidentified FPV incursioncould trigger rapid artillery exchanges, spiralling into broaderconfrontation. Diplomatic channels must therefore complement technicalsafeguards to preserve stability along one of Asia’s most militarisedborders.
Source: www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6789″>https://www.defence.pk/pdf/threads/pakistan-army-fpv-drone-trials.756432/”>https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6789Source:www.defence.pk/pdf/threads/pakistan-army-fpv-drone-trials.756432/”>https://www.defence.pk/pdf/threads/pakistan-army-fpv-drone-trials.756432/