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Indian media outlets report that Pakistan could soon field Kemankesloitering munitions from Türkiye, supplementing its Bayraktar TB2 andAkinci UAV fleet—though Islamabad and Ankara have yet not officiallyconfirmed.
Pakistan and Turkey have deepened defence ties in recent years, with Ankarasupplying Bayraktar TB2 drones in 2021 and subsequent delivery of AkinciUAVs in early 2023 . Turkey’s exports to Pakistan, including drones,corvettes, and upgrades for submarines, accounted for about 10% of itstotal defence exports from 2020 to 2024 .
Kemankes Loitering Munition: What We Know
The Kemankes is an AI-powered mini cruise missile (loitering munition)developed by Baykar. Weighing around 30 kg, it carries a 5–6 kg warhead,flies at Mach 0.7, and can travel over 100–200 km . It integratesoptical/laser targeting systems with AI-assisted guidance to engage targetsat stand-off ranges .
Several reports suggest Pakistan may have procured Kemankes missiles,integrating them into its TB2 and Akinci drones to bolster standoffprecision-strike capability beyond conventional munitions .
Indian outlets, citing defence analysts, claim Pakistan is set to receiveKemankes systems alongside fresh batches of TB2 and Akinci UAVs under arevised US$900 million drone–munition deal . That package reportedlyincludes more than 700 loitering munitions, emphasizing delivery ofKemankes to address shortcomings exposed during Operation Sindoor ().
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Despite these reports, neither Pakistan nor Türkiye has officiallyconfirmed any new shipments. Turkey recently refuted claims of multiplemilitary transport planes landing in Pakistan, stating that only one C-130E aircraft merely refueled during routine operations . Pakistan’s militaryhas remained silent on the alleged Kemankes acquisition thus far.
Strategic Implications for Regional Defence
If true, the acquisition would significantly enhance Pakistan’s long-rangestrike capacity, enabling TB2 and Akinci UAVs to engage high-valuetargets—such as air defence systems—from over 100 km away. It reflects ashift from traditional counterterrorism to deeper standoff capabilities .
For India, the prospect of Pakistan deploying Kemankes-equipped dronespresents fresh strategic challenges. India’s modern air defences, likeAkashteer and S-400 systems, would need to adapt to detect and interceptthese AI-guided loitering weapons—raising the stakes in UAV-centricregional defence competition ().
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