At the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 of Pakistan, which was held from November 19 to 22 in Karachi, a long-range air surveillance radar system, being billed as a game-changer for the country for monitoring airspace and foreseeing enemy attacks, was introduced. The event was organsied by the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) under the Ministry of Defence Production.
The domestically developed AM350S radar system, with a range of 350 kilometers is expected to help the country reduce its dependency on imported radar systems for surveillance.
According to media reports, this is a collaborative effort between the National Radio Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) and private sector player Blue Search Pvt Ltd, headed by Awais Rauf.
The radar, which is mounted on a mobile platform, allows for quick deployment anywhere.
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Rauf observed that drones and ultra-high-speed missile systems have changed the modern warfare as evinced by the Russia-Ukraine war or conflicts in other parts of the world. And hence, radar becomes an important tool in anticipating missile attacks and monitoring borders.
AM350S represents a shift that Pakistan is witnessing toward self-reliance in defence sector.
According to Rauf, a few "friendly" countries have already shown interest in the radar.
Currently, the design details of the radar and whether it incorporates any foreign technology are not available, leading to some skepticism regarding the announcement. Besides, the company has a scant digital presence, leading many to question if this was just another hyped project.