GIDS Shahpar-II

{{Infobox aircraft begin

| name = Shahpar II

| image = GIDS Shahpar 2 Drone.jpg

| caption = A GIDS Shahpar 2 Drone carrying four missiles

}}

{{Infobox aircraft type

| type = Reconnaissance/Attack

| national origin = Pakistan

| manufacturer = Global Industrial Defence Solutions

| designer = GIDS

| first flight =

| introduced = 2021

| retired =

| status = In service

| program cost =

| developed from = GIDS Shahpar

| developed into = GIDS Shahpar-III

| variants with their own articles =

}}

The Shahpar-ll is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) built by Global Industrial Defence Solutions of Pakistan. It is currently in production following the completion of a test and qualification phase.{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/events/exhibitions/idex-2013/news/feb-21/UAVs-from-Pakistan.aspx|title=UAVs from Pakistan|last=Donald|first=David|date=21 Feb 2013|work=IDEX 2013 News|publisher=Jane's IHS |access-date=5 March 2013}}

According to an engineer of AERO (Advanced Engineering Research Organisation), one of the seven companies forming the GIDS consortium, the only parts of the Shahpar aircraft system not produced in Pakistan are the engine and tires. The sensor suite, a multi-sensor turret designated "Zumr-II (EO/IR)",{{Cite web|last=PSF|first=Admin|date=2021-11-29|title=Pakistan's GIDS Unveils MALE UAV|url=https://pakstrategic.com/2021/11/29/pakistans-gids-unveils-male-uav/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=Pakistan Strategic Forum|language=en|archive-date=2021-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129172346/https://pakstrategic.com/2021/11/29/pakistans-gids-unveils-male-uav/|url-status=dead}} is built at an AERO facility near Islamabad. The design features a pusher engine with canard foreplanes in front of the wings.{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130219/DEFREG04/302190021/IDEX-Explosion-UAVs-Exhibit|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410180412/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130219/DEFREG04/302190021/IDEX-Explosion-UAVs-Exhibit|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2013|title=IDEX: Explosion of UAVs at Exhibit|last=CAVAS|first=CHRISTOPHER P.|date=19 Feb 2013|publisher=Defense News|access-date=5 March 2013}}

The Shahpar II is designed to autonomously take off and land on a runway or land with a parachute. Payloads are available for reconnaissance and day/night surveillance. Targets on the ground can be geo-referenced and geo-pointed by the avionics. The military standard hardware is built to Environmental Standard 810F. Ground equipment is capable of mission planning and simulation; mission management and control as well as debriefing of ground crew.

An upgraded version Shappar-2 block II has been launched which boasts higher service ceiling and longer flight time.{{Cite web |title=GIDS - Products |url=http://www.gids.com.pk/air |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=www.gids.com.pk}}

On 24 August 2024, one of the UAV crashed in Bhakkar district, Punjab. The crash is due to technical error, but the exact cause is under investigation.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-28 |title=Pakistani Air Force GID Shahpur-2 IAV Crashes During Trials |url=https://pune.news/international/pakistani-air-force-gid-shahpar-2-uav-crashes-during-trials-220851/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Pune News}}{{cite twitter |number=1828048559901483201 |user=srdmk01 |title=A GIDS Shahpar II UAV of the PAF has crashed due to technical glitch in Qabool Wala village of Darya Khan city in Bhakkar district, Punjab. |first=Koustuv |date=2024-08-26 |access-date=2024-08-28}}

Reuters had reported that Pakistani sources confirmed the use of the Shahpar-II during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/india-pakistans-drone-battles-mark-new-arms-race-asia-2025-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250528000628/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/india-pakistans-drone-battles-mark-new-arms-race-asia-2025-05-27|url-status=live|archive-date=May 28, 2025|title=IDEX: Explosion of UAVs at Exhibit|date=27 May 2025|publisher=Reuters|access-date=28 May 2025}}

Development

On March 23, 2021, Shahpar-II drone was first exhibited publicly during the Pakistan Day parade. It was being developed as an improved version of GIDS Shahpar.

On 28 November 2021, at EDEX 2021 Operational specifications were unveiled by GIDS and a promotional video of Shahpur-II drone showing its locating, tracking and targeting capabilities as surveillance and ground attack drone. Zumr-II (EO/IR) turret was also unveiled as an improved and lighter version of Zumr-I (EP) turret. Targeting / surveillance Turret is installed as internal payload. Drone can also be equipped with other targeting system available from foreign supplier. Drone can also be equipped with SAR, COMINT/ELINT payload. For sensors and targeting systems drone has an internal hard-point where it carry {{cvt|50|kg}} payload. (Zumr-I weighs {{cvt|36.5|kg}} while Zumr-II weighs {{cvt|49|kg}}). The drone has two external hard-points where it can carry Laser guided weapons, AGMs {{cvt|60|kg}} each. The promo shows Shahpar-II drone firing Barq laser guided ASM on moving and still targets with high accuracy.{{Citation|title=SHAHPAR-II Drone Missile Testing Footage|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P25Yp-MK2sk|language=en|access-date=2021-11-30}}

Features

Improved Aerodynamics & Structure{{Cite web |last=Insight |first=Global Defense |date=2021-11-29 |title=Shahpar-II: Pakistan's new armed drone |url=https://defensetalks.com/shahpar-ii-pakistans-new-armed-drone/ |access-date=2022-12-04 |website=Global Defense Insight |language=en-US}}
Enhanced Payload Options (i.e. COMINT/ELINT, SAR. EO/IR)
SATCOM capable
Mid-air Engine restart capability
Equipped with ATC transponder/Provision of IFF
Provision of Internal Pilot
Enhanced Propulsion System
Retractable Landing Gears
Asymmetric landing

Specifications (Shahpar-2 Block 2)

:Data from{{cite web|url=

http://www.gids.com.pk/air|title=SHAHPAR II UAV System|work=Official GIDS website|publisher=Global Industrial Defence Solutions (GIDS)|access-date=26 March 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.key.aero/article/idet-2021-pakistans-armed-shahpar-ii-undergoing-flight-trials#:~:text=Until%20this%20year%20the%20Shahpar,45kg%20Burraq%20laser%20guided%20munitions.|author=Alan Warnes|website=Key.Aero|title=IDET 2021: PAKISTAN'S ARMED SHAHPAR-II UNDERGOING FLIGHT TRIALS|date=7 October 2021}}

= General characteristics =

Length: {{convert|8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
Wingspan: {{convert|9.45|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
Max takeoff weight: {{convert|1075|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://defence.pk/pdf/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FFpjwo9_akAAjnHu%3Fformat%3Djpg%26name%3Dlarge&hash=7a4b022e73e30b82fc054fd261a7f83a|title=Specifications|access-date=31 March 2024|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406113418/https://defence.pk/pdf/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FFpjwo9_akAAjnHu%3Fformat%3Djpg%26name%3Dlarge&hash=7a4b022e73e30b82fc054fd261a7f83a|url-status=bot: unknown}}
Payload: {{convert|53|kg|lb|abbr=on}} internal, {{convert|190|kg|lb|abbr=on}} external

= Performance =

Maximum speed: {{convert|120|kn|km/h|}}
Cruise speed: {{convert|85|kn|km/h|}}
Stall speed: {{convert|63|kn|km/h|}}
Endurance: 20 hours surveillance, 12 hours armed
Service ceiling: {{convert|23000|ft|m|abbr=on|0}} surveillance, {{convert|21000|ft|m|abbr=on|0}} armed

= Armaments =

Hardpoints: 4, with provisions to carry:
Barq Laser guided missile

= Avionics =

GIDS Zumr-II (EO/IR) multi-sensor turret
Autonomous GPS-based tracking and control system
Real-time data link (LoS) (300 km range)
SATCOM data link (1500 km range)

Shahpar-III

The Shahpar-III Medium-altitude long-endurance UAV development is on the way and its first flight is expected around the end of 2023. It was displayed in IDEF Turkey along with the new Faaz Air to Air missile.{{Cite web |last=Ansari |first=Usman |date=2023-08-03 |title=Pakistani defense conglomerate unveils new drone, missiles at IDEF |url=https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2023/08/03/pakistani-defense-conglomerate-unveils-new-drone-missiles-at-idef/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=Defense News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=IDEF 2023: GIDS details Shahpar III UAV |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/idef-2023-gids-details-shahpar-iii-uav |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=Janes.com |language=en}}