Pakistan starts indigenous production of drones

[Naveed Yaseen]

ISHFAQULLAH SHAWL
ISLAMABAD (August 21 2009): Pakistan has become member of the drone manufacturing club after starting work on the production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Falco, a tactical drone. Pakistan has formally started the production of indigenous pilot-less drone planes at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). Falco, a tactical drone is being manufactured at PAC Kamra in league with an Italian company, Selex Galileo.

The Co-Production Project of Falco, was inaugurated at the PAC on Thursday by PAC Board Chairman Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan. Falco is an advanced tactical UAV designed by Selex Galileo and will be co-produced by PAC, Air Marshal Farhat said.

He said that the Falco, is highly important for the country's defence, as it would address the Pakistan Air Force's surveillance and reconnaissance needs, he said, adding that the production of the planes will greatly add to the professional and operational capabilities of Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

Air Marshal Farhat said that by production of Falco Pakistan has entered the club of countries manufacturing drones. The system will be used mainly for aerial reconnaissance and information gathering, although PAF will later induct UAVs equipped with weapon systems to carry out offensive operations.

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ISLAMABAD: Amid calls for the US to provide the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, Pakistan launched on Thursday the production of its own version of drones at its leading aeronautical factory in Kamra. The rollout of Pakistan’s first UAV – called Falco and being be co-produced in collaboration with an Italian company – at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) is scheduled for the near future.

“Falco is an advanced, tactical UAV designed by Selex Galileo Italy ... it would address current and future surveillance and reconnaissance needs of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF),” said a PAF spokesman. A simple ceremony was held at the complex on Thursday to launch the production. sajjad malik

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg7_3