Dr. Hassam Ahmed Siddiqi 
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have witnessed significant growth in recent years due to their efficiency, precision, low cost, and reduced risk to human operators. Their applications span across civil, commercial, and military domains, transforming industries and national security landscapes worldwide. This expansion is fueled by technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced networking, next-generation sensors, satellite-based GPS, and enhanced airspace management systems. UAVs’ role is evolving rapidly, promising increased effectiveness, safety, and dependability in the future.
The global UAV market, which was valued at approximately USD 25.9 billion in 2019, is projected to surpass USD 133 billion by 2026, driven by widespread adoption across sectors like defense, agriculture, telecommunications, logistics, and emergency response. Major aerospace companies, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Saab, have heavily invested in developing diverse UAV platforms to meet growing demand. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, especially for critical components sourced from China, temporarily slowing global UAV production.
UAVs are generally divided into expendable and recoverable categories, with recoverable types further classified into drones and Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs). Drones are autonomous, programmed for stable flight, whereas RPVs require continuous human remote control. Despite overlapping features and varying autonomy levels, this distinction helps understand the UAV types. UAVs have become increasingly capable in tasks traditionally performed by manned aircraft, and experts predict UAVs could replace manned fighters in the near future as AI and sensor technologies improve.
Several advantages distinguish UAVs from manned aircraft. UAVs offer lower production and operational costs. For instance, the per-hour operational cost of the MQ9 Reaper drone is about $3,234, substantially less than the F-35 fighter jet’s $28,455. UAVs also carry lower risks to human life, do not require costly pilot training, and can be deployed more flexibly in hostile or adverse environments due to their smaller size and maneuverability. UAVs excel in high-quality reconnaissance and real-time data collection, providing unparalleled precision for both civil and military missions.
The civil applications of UAVs have diversified broadly. Personal uses include photography, videography, and recreation. Commercially, UAVs support industries such as agriculture, construction, mining, journalism, film production, logistics, and tourism. For example, drones improve precision farming techniques, enabling better crop monitoring and pesticide application. Governments employ UAVs for urban planning, infrastructure inspection, disaster management, law enforcement, and pandemic monitoring. These applications contribute to governance, sustainable development, and emergency response efforts. Military use of UAVs traces back to early 20th-century pilotless aircraft concepts that evolved significantly during and after conflicts such as the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, and Operation Desert Storm. Today, at least 95 countries operate military UAVs, with a market projected to reach nearly $24 billion by 2027. UAVs serve three primary military roles: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), attack missions, and combat support. In ISR, UAVs gather and transmit real-time battlefield data for enhanced situational awareness and target identification. Attack missions involve engaging targets with onboard weaponry, including air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. Combat support roles include electronic warfare, communication relays, early warning systems, logistics, fire support, and training.
Emerging military UAV concepts like drone swarming, manned-unmanned mix operations, and Loyal Wingman systems point to a future battlefield dominated by integrated autonomous platforms. Such innovations promise increased lethality, coordination, and survivability for armed forces but also bring new ethical, regulatory, and operational challenges. Focusing on Pakistan, UAV adoption has been slower compared to global trends, influenced by cultural, economic, and capacity limitations. Civil UAV applications in Pakistan have predominantly been limited to journalism, surveying, and recreational use, with recent government efforts deploying drones to combat locust infestations and support law enforcement surveillance. However, Pakistan’s military UAV capabilities have advanced significantly through indigenous development programs spearheaded by organizations like the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Air Weapons Complex (AWC), National Engineering & Scientific Commission (NESCOM), and private enterprises such as Surveillance & Target Unmanned Aircrafts (SATUMA) and Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS).
Several indigenous UAV models have been developed for reconnaissance, surveillance, training, and strike roles, including Burraq, Jasoos II, Shahpar, Ababeel, Uqab, and Mukhbar. Pakistan has also procured advanced Chinese UCAVs like the CH-4 and is collaborating with China on co-production projects involving Wing Loong UAVs to bolster its aerial combat and surveillance capabilities. To fully exploit UAV technology’s potential, Pakistan must address regulatory, legal, and airspace management challenges. Important steps include establishing a Drone Regulatory Authority for licensing, registration, and oversight, as well as harmonizing provincial and federal regulatory efforts under the Civil Aviation Authority. Supportive policies and incentives for local UAV manufacturing are critical to fostering a domestic UAV industry capable of innovation and scale. Moreover, Pakistan must enhance its national security posture by developing counter-drone capabilities to deter emerging threats such as drone swarming, as demonstrated by India. This includes bolstering kinetic and non-kinetic defenses and emphasizing international cooperation and technology sharing to maintain strategic parity.
It can be ascertained that UAVs represent a transformative technology reshaping civil industries and military operations globally. Advancements in AI, sensor technology, network connectivity, and autonomous capabilities continually expand UAVs’ scope and effectiveness. Pakistan stands at a crossroads where proactive policies, investment in indigenous development, regulatory reforms, and international partnerships can enable the country to unlock UAVs’ full potential across civil and defense sectors, driving economic growth and enhancing national security in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
