Bilal Khan
International Industrial Defence Options (GIDS) debuted a staggering roster of latest precision-guided munitions on the 2024 Worldwide Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), a tradeshow selling the Pakistani defence trade each two years.
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GIDS is a Pakistani state-owned enterprise (SOE) that commercially represents different Pakistani defence trade SOEs. In different phrases, GIDS manages the gross sales and advertising work for sure SOEs aiming to advertise their options to abroad markets, particularly within the Center East.
Whereas the brand new Shahpar-III drone was the centerpiece of GIDS’ pavilion at IDEAS 2024, its most impactful impression got here from its rising – and largely surprising – lineup of latest munitions.
These new munitions embody new-generation light-weight air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM), a torpedo designed to be launched from drones, a brand new household of Pakistani loitering munitions, and additional evolutions of longstanding weapons, such because the Bakhtar Shikan anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
This report opinions every of GIDS’ new merchandise whereas delving into Pakistan’s deeper technique of turning into a robust munitions vendor for each home and international markets.
Report: The Pakistan Air Power’s Procurement Plans for 2020-2030
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Previous to IDEAS 2024, GIDS already had a comparatively credible munitions portfolio centered on the Harbah NG anti-ship cruising missile (ASCM), Taimoor ALCM, Takbir Vary Extension Package (REK), and Fatah-I/II guided surface-to-surface missiles (SSM).
Whereas not as expansive, GIDS’ earlier portfolio lined the necessities, akin to offering long-range, precision-strike capabilities from land, air, and sea. Nevertheless, most of GIDS’ long-range options had been massive and, probably, interesting to nations in search of strategic-level capabilities.
For instance, the Taimoor ALCM affords a variety of 290 km. Nevertheless, it weighs round 1,200 kg and may solely be deployed from a fighter plane, such because the JF-17 Thunder. Furthermore, options just like the Taimoor might be comparatively expensive and, consequently, solely inexpensive in restricted portions. These components restrict the amount GIDS can probably export if it relied totally on ‘heavy-hitters’ like cruise missiles.
Thus, the SOEs producing these munitions (such because the Nationwide Engineering and Scientific Fee or NESCOM) noticed a spot in lower-cost and/or lighter-weight options, akin to the next:
GIDS’ Rising Munitions Lineup
Rasoob-250: Pakistan’s Tackle the Joint-Strike Missile?
Considered one of GIDS’ most fascinating options was the Rasoob-250 air-launched cruise missile (ALCM). Utilizing a stealthy low-observable (LO) airframe, the Rasoob-250 provided a variety of 350 km with a cruising velocity of Mach 0.7 and accuracy of inside 5 m CEP (round error possible). Together with a booster, it had a complete mass of 285 kg, with the semi-armour piercing warhead taking on 75 kg. GIDS is selling the Rasoob-250 as an answer to be used from drones, helicopters, and maritime patrol plane (MPA).
Being a stealthy ALCM, the principal vendor of the Rasoob-250 is probably going Air Weapons Advanced (AWC), a subsidiary of the Nationwide Engineering and Scientific Fee (NESCOM). AWC was answerable for creating the Ra’advert and Taimoor-series of ALCMs.
When factoring within the Rasoob-250’s weight and airframe design, one can see some conceptual similarities between it and the Norwegian-American Joint Strike Missile (JSM) and Turkish SOM-J. The latter are each stealthy light-weight ALCMs designed to be used from throughout the F-35’s inner weapons bay.
It’s doubtless that the last word purpose of the Rasoob-250 is to finally arm Pakistan Air Power (PAF) fighters, presumably the next-generation fighter plane (NGFA) – such because the J-31/J-35A – and, probably, unmanned fight aerial autos (UCAV). One may probably see a barely bigger variant of the Rasoob-250 (i.e., nearer to the 400-500 kg weight class of the JSM and SOM-J) for this objective.
AZB-81LR: Pakistan’s Small Diameter Cruise Missile
This munition arguably displays Pakistan’s ambition to develop into a world-class munitions vendor. Developed by Qaswa Industries, the AZB-81LR will reportedly provide a variety of 200 km. It can doubtless use a Mk.81 bomb as the idea, which weighs about 119 kg. Its steering suite doubtless combines GNSS with an IIR seeker, thus giving the AZB-81LR a fire-and-forget functionality in opposition to each mounted and transferring targets. To realize its lengthy vary, the AZB-81LR makes use of a turbojet-assisted gliding system.
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