NEW DELHI: In a joint press conference by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and armed forces, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi informed that Pakistan sent 300-400 drones in 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek last night to target our military installations. “The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence,” Qureshi informed.“Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done.Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones,” she said.What are Turkey-made Songar drones?The Asisguard Songar is Turkey’s first domestically developed armed drone system, designed to provide tactical firepower and reconnaissance capabilities to ground forces. Developed by Ankara-based defense company Asisguard, Songar has been in service with the Turkish Armed Forces since 2020 and has also been exported to other countries.Technical specifications
- Type: Quadrotor unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: Up to 45 kg
- Payload Capacity: Approximately 9 kg
- Dimensions: Rotor-to-rotor span of 140–145 cm
- Flight Time: Up to 25 minutes
- Service Ceiling: 3000 meters above mean sea level (MSL); 300 meters above ground level (AGL)
- Operational Range: Standard 3 km; extendable to 5 km
- Navigation: GPS and GLONASS compatible
- Environmental Tolerance: Operates between -20°C and +50°C; wind resistance up to 10 m/s
Songar is equipped with a variety of weapon systems:
- 5.56×45mm NATO Assault Rifle: Capable of firing up to 200 rounds in single or 15-round burst modes.
- Grenade Launchers: Options include 4 or 6-barrel configurations, with an effective range of 400–450 meters.
- 81mm Mortar (Togan): Air-dropped munitions developed in collaboration with TÜBİTAK SAGE.
- Mini-Missile System: Laser-guided missiles suitable for engaging light armored vehicles and fortified positions.
- 7.62×39mm Rifle Integration: Tested with the Turkish-made SAR 15T rifle, extending effective engagement range to 400 meters.
Operational Capabilities
- Flight modes: Supports both autonomous and manual control.
- Mission planning: Enables route planning and in-flight mission adjustments.
- Safety features: Includes return-to-home functionality in cases of signal loss or low battery.
- Surveillance: Equipped with day and night cameras, including a pilot camera with 10x zoom and a gun-mounted camera, for real-time video transmission.
- Deployment: Designed for rapid deployment by infantry units and integration with armored vehicles.
While Asisguard had announced exports of the Songar drone to countries in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, the specific nations involved have not been disclosed.
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