An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV; also known as a remotely piloted vehicle or RPV, or Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)) is an aircraft that flies without a human crew on board the aircraft. It surely forms part of the next generation of Modern warfare, where human presence in the battlefield is minimal.Pakistan over the years have built its surveillance UAV but were not able to achieve an Armed Drone. Now, history is made as Pakistan has finally made its first Armed UAV – BURRAQ
Why is it named Buraq?
The name Burraq (“lightning”) refers to a type of winged steed, described as a creature from the heavens which transported the Prophet Mohammad (Pbuh). The most commonly told story is how in the 7th century, the Buraq carried the Islamic prophet Muhammad (Saw) from Mecca to Jerusalem and back during the Isra and Mi’raj or “Night Journey”, which is the title of one of the chapters (sura), Al-Isra, of the Qur’an. Burraq is also known as a Flying Horse.
Burraq – The UAV:
Burraq is Pakistan’s latest domestically produced UAV, based on the Falco-Selex Galileo technology and is believed to be intended as the Pakistan’s main equivalent to the American Predator. The drones’ capabilities are being put at the disposal of the Pakistani forces, giving them experience in the effective use of the machines and their successful deployment.
Pakistan requested US to provide predator drones for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) so that the Pakistanis could monitor the 2500 kilometer long Durand Line. The request was refused. However Pakistan was asked to “Do More.” – Hence ‘Do More’ the Pakistan armed forces did and Armed UAV was proposed. Today we have achieved self reliance in this field.
Burraq is supposedly Predator Equivalent
PAC engineers have been working on the first UAV project of the country for two years. Pakistan has been flight-testing the Burraq for a couple of years now. The Burraq is equipped with National Engineering and Scientific Commission (or NESCom) designed laser designator and laser-guided missiles. The Burraq is based on the Falco – SELEX GALILEO technology. Unlike the Falco, Burraq will be able to attack and destroy targets.
The Burraq, with an autonomous navigation and control system, has a standard control link range of 200 kilometers and is capable of short take-offs from semi-prepared airstrips. Among its prominent features are automatic take-off and landing, fully redundant and fault-tolerant control systems and near-real-time target image processing
Pakistan has now virtually become a member of the club of countries manufacturing drones. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) desperately needs UAVs capable of firing at targeted militants.
Here is a list of UAVs that are inducted in the Pakistan armed forces – mostly for the purposes of Surveillance and reconaissance;