ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army’s IV Corps has launched large-scale dronewarfare exercises in the Lahore region, close to the eastern border withIndia, demonstrating a significant push towards integrating unmanned aerialsystems into conventional military operations. These drills, observedrecently by senior leadership including Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir,highlight the armed forces’ focus on modern multi-domain warfare amidevolving regional security dynamics. The exercises incorporate indigenouslydeveloped drones equipped with advanced targeting, surveillance, andcountermeasures, underscoring Pakistan’s efforts to enhance combatreadiness against potential asymmetric threats.
The IV Corps, headquartered in Lahore Cantonment since its establishment in1966, holds primary responsibility for defending central Punjab and keyeastern frontiers. Positioned strategically near the international border,the corps oversees a critical sector where rapid response capabilities areessential. Recent field training in the Lahore Garrison area featuredspecialized demonstrations of drone technologies, including swarmoperations and first-person view systems, as part of broader preparationsfor contemporary battlefields where unmanned platforms play decisive roles.
Pakistan’s military has increasingly emphasized drone integration followingglobal trends observed in recent conflicts, where unmanned systems havetransformed reconnaissance, precision strikes, and electronic warfare. Theexercises in Lahore showcased network-centric operations linking droneswith ground forces, cyber elements, and air defence units. Indigenouslyproduced UAVs fitted with AI-enabled targeting, high-resolution cameras,and robust jamming resistance were deployed to simulate realisticscenarios, reflecting advancements in local defence production capabilities.
Senior military officials praised the troops’ proficiency during thedrills, noting the seamless incorporation of autonomous technologies intomulti-domain frameworks. The presence of the Chief of Army Staff and Chiefof Defence Forces at the Lahore Garrison underscored the strategic priorityaccorded to such capabilities. These manoeuvres build on earlier unit-levelexercises like Maiden Strike, which focused on FPV drone employment andanti-tank roles, expanding now to corps-level coordination near sensitiveborders.
The timing of the exercises aligns with heightened regional tensions,including parallel developments across the border where India has advancedits own drone training programs and established dedicated schools forunmanned warfare. Reports indicate successful integration of anti-tankdrone strikes in nearby areas like Sialkot in prior drills, pointing to asustained effort by Pakistan to counter armoured threats throughaffordable, precise unmanned assets. Such preparations aim to deteraggression while bolstering deterrence along the eastern theatre.
Defence analysts observe that Pakistan’s drone warfare push addresses gapsin traditional force structures by leveraging cost-effective technologies.Indigenous platforms reduce reliance on imports and enable rapid scaling incontested environments. The IV Corps drills tested real-time data sharing,electronic countermeasures against enemy drones, and coordinated strikes,elements critical in modern hybrid warfare scenarios involving both stateand non-state actors.
The armed forces continue to invest in research and development for UAVs,drawing lessons from ongoing global conflicts where drones have disruptedconventional superiority. Enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering,and payload delivery featured prominently in the Lahore exercises, allowingforces to maintain situational awareness over extended areas with minimalrisk to personnel. This shift towards technology-driven operations reflectsbroader doctrinal evolution within the Pakistan Army.
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Regional observers note that such visible demonstrations serve dualpurposes: strengthening internal readiness and signalling resolve toadversaries. With Lahore’s proximity to the border—mere kilometres from keycrossing points—the exercises reinforce defensive postures in ahistorically volatile zone. Multi-domain integration, combining land, air,cyber, and autonomous domains, positions the IV Corps as a forward-lookingformation equipped for future challenges.
Pakistan’s progress in drone warfare mirrors investments across the armedservices, including air force and navy adaptations. The emphasis onindigenous systems supports national self-reliance goals under frameworkspromoting local manufacturing. Successful execution of these complex drillsvalidates training pipelines and operational concepts refined over recentyears.
In conclusion, the massive drone warfare exercises by IV Corps in Lahorerepresent a pivotal step in modernizing Pakistan’s military posture. Byprioritizing unmanned technologies near strategic borders, the armyenhances its ability to respond decisively to emerging threats whileadvancing operational innovation in an increasingly contested regionallandscape.
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