What are the Turkish Asisguard SONGAR drones used by Pakistan on India last night?
SONGAR drones
, the Ministry of External Affairs conformed Friday.
#Operation Sindoor
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Addressing a press conference, Colonel Sofia Qureshi alongside Foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commender Vyomika Singh, said that as per initial reports, nearly 400 drones targeted regions across Punjab, Jammu, and Rajasthan.
"The Pakistani army also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations," said Colonel Qureshi.
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Pakistan used 300-400 Turkish drones to attempt infiltration, tried to target India's military installations on May 8-9, says MEA
After the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civillians, tensions have sharply escalated between India and Pakistan. Amid this, with diplomatic world calling for de-escalation, what is most notable is that Turkey has publicly extended its support to Pakistan.
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What are SONGAR Drones?
SONGAR drones are armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) developed by Turkish defence firm
ASİSGUARD
. These drones are Turkey's first national armed drone system and have been in service with the Turkish Armed Forces since 2020.
Known for their compact design and tactical flexibility, the drones are designed for both domestic security and battlefield operations.
How SONGAR Drones work
Each SONGAR unit is equipped with an automatic machine gun, capable of carrying 200 rounds of 5.56×45mm NATO-standard ammunition. It has a 3-kilometer operational radius and can fly at altitudes up to 2,800 meters. The system includes a real-time video transmission module and is supported by a ground control station, enabling autonomous or manual navigation through GPS-guided paths.
The drone features a special feed chute and an automatic firing mechanism that enables precise targeting while in motion. It also has return-to-home functionality in case of communication loss or battery failure.
Deployment and operational use
Since its induction, SONGAR has been integrated into both ground vehicles and standalone UAV operations. In 2020, it was mounted on a 4x4 armored vehicle to support close-range combat and surveillance.
In January 2024, the platform was upgraded to carry a 40mm multiple grenade launcher in collaboration with Repkon Defense Systems, expanding its capability to engage ground targets with greater impact.
Turkey extends support to Pakistan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed support for Pakistan's handling of the situation in a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to the Turkish presidency, Erdogan said, 'Turkey was ready to do what it can to prevent the tensions from escalating, and that his diplomatic contacts in that regard would continue.'
He also backed Pakistan's proposal for an international investigation into the April 22 attack, calling it 'appropriate' and 'valuable.' On social media, Erdogan voiced concern over rising civilian deaths and stated, 'We are concerned that the tension between Pakistan and India could escalate into open conflict with missile attacks that have resulted in the martyrdom of numerous civilians.' He added, 'I pray for Allah's mercy for our brothers who lost their lives in the attacks, and I once again extend my condolences to the brotherly people and state of Pakistan.'
The Turkish Foreign Ministry earlier condemned India's missile strikes, warning they could push the situation toward 'an all-out war.' Erdogan concluded, 'As Türkiye, despite those who pour fuel on the fire, we are making every effort to reduce tensions and open channels of dialogue before events reach an irreversible point.'
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