Engineering:GIDS Shahpar-III
| Shahpar-III | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | UCAV |
| Role | Strike/ISR |
| National origin |  Pakistan |
| Manufacturer | GIDS |
| Designer | NESCOM |
| History | |
| Introduction date | November 2024 |
| First flight | 2023 |
| Predecessors | GIDS Shahpar-2 |
The Shahpar-III is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed by NESCOM and marketed by GIDS. It is the third and newest (as of 2025[update]) member of the Shahpar drone family and is designed as a contender to similar systems like the MQ-9 Reaper.[1][2][3][4][5]
Development
The Shahpar-III being part of the GIDS Shahpar family is a further result of Pakistan's ongoing effort to enhance its local defence industry, particularly in aerospace. Shahpar-III's existence was revealed in a future roadmap presented by GIDS on its website where it was categorized as a group-4+ UCAV.[6] Over time, GIDS displayed models and technology demonstrators of it in various international defense exhibitions including IDEF-2023.[7][8] Its development cost around a US$100 million.[9]
During the IDEAS-24 expo in November 2024, GIDS CEO Asad Kamal and Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir unveiled the Shahpar-III marking its first public appearance. It was classified by GIDS as a Group-4+ UCAV and reportedly developed to compete with similar drones of its category like the MQ-9 Reaper.[8][10]
The Shahpar-III features domestic flight control systems and avionics and is equipped with a 1553 architecture dual-redundant flight control computer enhancing its reliability. Being a UCAV, it can be deployed in a variety of roles with ISR, ISTAR, CAS and maritime roles among them. It can be armed with several Pakistani-sourced munitions like the Barq missiles and Al Battaar laser-guided bombs though other munitions can also be integrated onto it.[7][11]
Variants
- Shahpar-III (140 hp): Version fitted with 140 hp engine.[12]
- Shahpar-III (170 hp): Version fitted with more powerful 170 hp engine.[12]
Specifications (170hp configuration)
General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Wingspan: 20 m (64 ft)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)
Performance
- Range: 3,000 km (1,900 mi, 1,600 nmi)
- Endurance: 40hrs (ISR) and 20hrs (Armed)
- Service ceiling: 12,000 m (41,000 ft) Varies with suspended payload.
Armament
- Hardpoints: 6 with a capacity of 530kg (external) & 165kg (internal),
- Rockets: Eghraaq smart torpedo
- Missiles: Barq laser guided missiles
- Bombs: AB-500 LGBs
See also
References
- ↑ Khan, Naimet (21 November 2024). "Pakistan unveils new 'game changer' fighter drone". https://www.arabnews.com/node/2580164/pakistan.
- ↑ "Aerial Vehicle, Shahpar-III, developed by GIDSP inaugurated". https://www.radio.gov.pk/21-11-2024/aerial-vehicle-shahpar-iii-developed-by-gidsp-inaugurated.
- ↑ "Aerial Vehicle Shahpar-III - a manifestation of Pakistan's art of combat". 2024-11-21. https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/851919-aerial-vehicle-shahpariii--a-manifestation-of-pakistans-art-of-comb.
- ↑ Khattak, Arsalan (2024-11-19). "IDEAS 2024: Pakistan Showcases Advanced Shahpar-III Drone". https://propakistani.pk/2024/11/19/ideas-2024-pakistan-showcases-advanced-shahpar-iii-drone/.
- ↑ Siddiqui, Salman (2024-11-22). "PAF aims AI-based air mastery in future". https://tribune.com.pk/story/2511130/paf-aims-ai-based-air-mastery-in-future.
- ↑ "Road to future". https://www.gids.com.pk/road-to-future.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "IDEF 2023: GIDS details Shahpar III UAV". 2023-07-28. https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/air/idef-2023-gids-details-shahpar-iii-uav.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Focus: Pakistani Shahpar III drone a challenge for Chinese Turkish and Western Competitors.". 2024-12-12. https://armyrecognition.com/focus-analysis-conflicts/army/analysis-defense-and-security-industry/focus-pakistani-shahpar-iii-drone-a-challenge-for-chinese-turkish-and-western-competitors.
- ↑ Khan, Bilal (2024-12-02). "Pakistan's Shahpar-III Promises a Next-Gen Drone Ecosystem". https://quwa.org/pakistan-drone-news/pakistan-shahpar-iii-promises-a-next-gen-drone-ecosystem/.
- ↑ "Army Chief inaugurates advanced Shahpar-III combat drone at defence exhibition". 2024-11-20. https://islamabadpost.com.pk/army-chief-inaugurates-advanced-shahpar-iii-combat-drone-at-defence-exhibition/.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "GIDS Shahpar-3 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". 2024-12-01. https://quwa.org/pakistani-drones/gids-shahpar-3-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-uav/.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Ansari, Usman (2023-08-03). "Pakistani defense conglomerate unveils new drone, missiles at IDEF". https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2023/08/03/pakistani-defense-conglomerate-unveils-new-drone-missiles-at-idef/.
- ↑ Web Desk (14 March 2024). "GIDS Unveils Powerful Shahpar III Group 4+ MALE UCAV". https://internationaldefenceanalysis.com/gids-unveils-powerful-shahpar-iii-group-4-male-ucav/.
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