GIDS Shahpar-III
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| Shahpar-III | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | UCAV |
| Role | Strike/ISR |
| National origin |  Pakistan |
| Manufacturer | GIDS |
| Designer | |
| History | |
| Introduction date | November 2024 |
| First flight | 2023 |
| Predecessors | GIDS Shahpar-2 |
The Shahpar-III is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed by NESCOM and marketed by GIDS. It is the third and newest (as of 2025[update]) member of the Shahpar drone family and is designed as a contender to similar systems like the MQ-9 Reaper.[1][2][3][4][5]
The Shahpar-III being part of the GIDS Shahpar family is a further result of Pakistan's ongoing effort to enhance its local defence industry, particularly in aerospace. Shahpar-III's existence was revealed in a future roadmap presented by GIDS on its website where it was categorized as a group-4+ UCAV.[6] Over time, GIDS displayed models and technology demonstrators of it in various international defense exhibitions including IDEF-2023.[7][8] Its development cost around a US$100 million.[9]
During the IDEAS-24 expo in November 2024, GIDS CEO Asad Kamal and Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir unveiled the Shahpar-III marking its first public appearance. It was classified by GIDS as a Group-4+ UCAV and reportedly developed to compete with similar drones of its category like the MQ-9 Reaper.[8][10]
The Shahpar-III features domestic flight control systems and avionics and is equipped with a 1553 architecture dual-redundant flight control computer enhancing its reliability. Being a UCAV, it can be deployed in a variety of roles with ISR, ISTAR, CAS and maritime roles among them. It can be armed with several Pakistani-sourced munitions like the Barq missiles and Al Battaar laser-guided bombs though other munitions can also be integrated onto it.[7][11]
Operators
Future operators
Pakistan Air Force: being integrated as of 2026.[12]
