Turkish Songar Armed Drones Spotted in Pakistan

Turkish Songar Armed Drones Spotted in Pakistan

Why in the News ?

Recent intelligence reports indicate that Pakistan has deployed Turkish-built Songar drones against India. This is notable as no prior record existed of their transfer to Pakistan. These armed drones pose new tactical and strategic threats along the border.

Turkish Songar Armed Drones Spotted in Pakistan

Design and Capabilities of Songar Drones:

  • Manufactured by Asisguard, a Turkish defence firm.
  • First unveiled in April 2019, inducted by Turkish Armed Forces in Feb 2020.
  • Compact UAV with a 45 kg max take-off weight and 35-minute endurance (unarmed).
  • Equipped with pilot and gun-mounted cameras for day and night operations.
  • Operates at 300 m altitude within a 5 km radius.

  • Features autonomous/manual modes, GPS & GLONASS navigation, and return-to-home functionality.

Weapon Configurations and Armaments:

  • Multiple versions:
    • 56×45 mm Assault Rifle (NATO standard, with recoil damping).
    • 2×40 mm & 6×40 mm Grenade Launchers (range: 400–450 m).
    • 3×81 mm Mortar Gripper for aerial drops.
    • 8×Tear/Smoke Grenade Launcher.
  • Enables precision strikes, area denial, and non-lethal crowd control.

Tactical Utility and Security Concerns

  • Designed for coordinated combat operations with troops/drones.
  • Effective in land, maritime, and special ops.
  • Used for stealth missions, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
  • Raises concerns of advanced drone warfare and cross-border escalation.