Pakistan to Acquire Predator Drones?
KARACHI: The Pakistan Army is inching closer to realising its dream of owning Predator drones – the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) notorious for launching successful strikes against high-profile militants – even as the institution keeps the deal under wraps, The Express Tribune has learnt.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GAAS) Inc., the US-based company that manufactures Predators, informed The Express Tribune via email that it has the approval for an ‘export-approved version’ of the aircraft, which it now plans to sell for the first time to countries outside the US, Nato countries, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Earlier, the company’s president Frank Pace was quoted in the press as saying that “General Atomics see the potential for sales of as many as 100 units in the Middle East and Pakistan of the so-called Predator XP model approved for export.” The Middle East countries include Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
This statement was made at the recently held Farnborough Air Show near London, where a delegation of the Pakistan armed forces was also present to display their two JF-17 Thunder aircraft.
When asked to elaborate on the above statement, a GAAS spokesperson Kimberly A Kasitz said: “It is true that various Middle Eastern countries have expressed interest in an export-approved version of Predator A and that we have received licences to begin discussions with several of these countries about a potential sale.”
Kasitz added that the company has applied for a licence with the US State Department to begin negotiations for such a sale with Pakistan also. But she clarified that it was still pending and as of now “we have not yet received a licence.”
Local drone manufacturers in Pakistan, who wish to stay anonymous, insist that the development is significant. “The admission of seeking a licence only goes to show that our armed forces have sent their specifications to the company,” says one insider, who has sold his UAVs to many foreign countries, including the US.
“When one applies for a licence from the State Department, it’s not just a request asking for permission to talk to a certain customer. Companies only seek a licence when they get a complete list of their customer’s requirements.” He says that it is only a matter of time before Pakistan will be spending millions of dollars on the product.
However, another industry insider from Islamabad says the “GAAS was pursuing this with the US government for more than a year now and seems like they may have been given the nod. However, the first buyers are likely to be the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan’s turn will come much later.”
Elaborating, he says there are many concerns over giving such a sophisticated product to Pakistan, including the fear that it may be used on the border with India. “They are also worried about the possibility that cheap Chinese copycats would be made in case Beijing gained access to the product.”
He informed that another drone, the Boeing’s Scan Eagle, was also being considered by our forces.
Experts argue that the GAAS’s Predator A or Predator XP type product being offered by GAAS is a “stripped down” drone which is unarmed and capable of reconnaissance missions only. Also, they point out that the Predator requires satellite feed to operate in order to truly utilise its capabilities. “One can operate a Predator-type drone even without a satellite using ground control stations only. But the problem in that case would be that it would operate only when the UAV is within line of sight. For any operations beyond visual range, which truly is the hallmark of the Predator, would require satellite links,” says an expert, adding that the less said about the state of Pakistani satellites the better.
A senior Pakistan army official backed the claim and said: “The only reason why we still don’t have an armed drone like the Predator is that it requires satellite capability. It’s true that until we cross that hurdle, we won’t be able to realise the full potential of such a high-end product even if we get it.”
The price of a Predator is anywhere between $4 and $15 million. According to an estimate, a 10 aircraft Predator system comprising ground stations and software can carry a price-tag of a staggering $400 million.
Meanwhile, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Athar Abbas has denied knowledge of any communication with the American company GAAS. He said as of today no “official contact” has been made with the company.
He denied that any meeting between representatives of GAAS and Pakistan armed forces took place at the Farnborough Air Show regarding the Predator drones. “To suggest anything about prospects for Predator-type drones for Pakistan would be speculation,” he added.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/33618/drones-deal-close-at-hand/
Congrats Pakis…!!! After tens and thousands of Paki Men women and children have been killed by drone attacks by USA now pakis have woken up from a long sleep…
@ indicki raj
We are all times alert with wide eyes open never sleep for badshakal extremist terrorist hindo indicks on across eastern and other boarders.
Americans are increasingly getting unbearable shit eating hogs, seeing them defending and protecting their slave indick monkyes from Pakistan’s lashes, it’s not good.
Pakistan will do what needs doing to indicks and that is scoring indicka and taking Delhi, now it’s not too far for sure Inshallah
yeah. and now Pakistan will continue killing its own civilians but only this time it will even pay for it from its own pocket. Should I say congrats! I am confused.
@ Sam & Raj
Confused you are and confused you’ll remain.
Never mind Pakistan, it’s politics and it’s problems. It’s better to solve one’s own problems than solve another’s. I’m sure you have more pressing concerns back home in India other than a drone strike in Pakistan
Take it easy. Bye.
Ali Alamzeb
i hope they use it against india.
this will give us an excuse to test the su30mkis, mi29ks(brand new:)), upgraded mirage 2000s, etc
I look forward to that!.I see mushroom clouds over your major cities already!.
and i dont see pakistan anywhere
Our nukes are better then yours which is why you chickened out after Mumbai fiasco.Drones are a very small part of our military might,we’re armed to the teeth regularly buying more supplies!
what do u mean by our nukes are ‘better’?
This time the Americans will be able to keep a tab on the Pakistani Army through these Predators to determine exactly which groups the Pakistanis would strike and who they would like to protect…. !
American’s don’t even know what happened to millions if not billions of dollars worth of weapons in Afghanistan.Many have ended in the hands of the Taliban!
PAKISTAN ARMY AND PAKISTAN AIR FORCE IS NOT KILLING CIVILIANS. PAKISTAN ARMY AND PAKISTAN AIR FORCE IS DOING OPERATIONS AGAINST TTP (TERRORISTS) WHICH IS FUNDED BY RAW, MOSSAD AND CIA.
I think Pakistani Engineers are quite capable of sending satellite into orbit. Unfortunately Pakistani need to train its engineer in china. Pakistan China joint venture is the option left with Pakistan along investment in our education institutions such as GIK and NUST. Suparco can make it if it works closely with chinese technician who have more practical expereince than us. There is hope that Pakistan software houses along with engineers with the help of chinese can truely make a difference.
Its a move in a right direction. WE already need communication satellite for military and commercial needs. We also need to focus on alternative energy such as solar panels which rely on Quartz material readily available in more than sufficient quantity in District Nowshera, Gilgit Etc.
Future war is about water as well as economics. In economics first lesson we learned was that its all about utilization of limited resources. My teacher told me economics is about selfishness and its time Pakistan need to put its economy back on trail with minimum capital and win such much more difficult war imposed on our armed forces. Pakistan need Commercial Espinoge and Economics intelligence wings.
This country has been earned with great sacrifice and we the young generation has more responsibilities than our ancestars in protecting and developing our nation.
Together/United we rise, Divided we all fall. Sindi, Punjabi, balochi, pattan, saraiki or kashmiri, we all have to be Muslims first and Pakistani National in order to rise.
@Nik
I mean our nukes are of better quality and have a longer range.We also have more of them,see youtube for more info.