Pakistan has entered into a three-year defence agreement to procure 1 lakh MERKÜT first-person view (FPV) drones from Turkish company Pasifik Teknoloji. The deal, which also encompasses a range of other unmanned systems, was executed through the Pakistani corporation NRTC following successful testing and evaluation phases.
Beyond the primary order of FPV drones, the agreement includes the acquisition of 10 ALPİN unmanned helicopters, 25 DUMRUL mini-helicopters, 500 DELİ loitering munitions, and 250 KORGAN ground systems for the Pakistan Army. The contract covers the supply, sale, and distribution of these technologies, while simultaneously establishing a framework for local assembly and production within Pakistan.
Technical specifications for the equipment indicate the MERKÜT FPV drone possesses an operational range of up to 8 km and a flight endurance between 20 and 30 minutes. Its warhead is designed with 1,000 steel balls, each 3 mm in diameter, providing a blast radius of up to 20 metres. Other systems, such as the ALPİN unmanned helicopter, are designed for autonomous, round-the-clock surveillance using thermal imaging and night-vision capabilities, with a payload capacity of 200 kg.
The DUMRUL electric mini-helicopter is intended for short-range reconnaissance and strike operations, featuring a low acoustic signature to minimize noise during missions. It offers a flight endurance of approximately 120 minutes, allowing for extended target tracking.
Key facts
- The order includes 1 lakh MERKÜT FPV drones, 10 ALPİN helicopters, 25 DUMRUL mini-helicopters, 500 DELİ munitions, and 250 KORGAN ground systems.
- The MERKÜT drone features an 8 km operational range and a warhead equipped with 1,000 steel balls.
- The ALPİN helicopter is capable of carrying a 200 kg payload and conducting pre-programmed autonomous missions.
- The agreement, signed between Pasifik Teknoloji and NRTC, includes provisions for local assembly and production in Pakistan.
Background
This procurement expands upon existing defence cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan. In 2025, the two nations announced collaborative plans to establish a joint aircraft manufacturing facility dedicated to producing Turkey's fifth-generation KAAN fighter jets.
Source: Times of India
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