Pakistan deploys CH 4 B drones imported from China. These drones have been plagued by critical failures, raising concerns about their reliability and effectiveness. The drones were sold by Chinese firm, Aerospace Long-March International Co., Ltd (ALIT), the core subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The drones are deployed with Pakistan Army’s Aviation Corps.
Major issues include:
GPS malfunctions: Two drones repeatedly lost GPS signal during test flights, hindering navigation and potentially compromising anti-jamming capabilities.
Non-functional EO/IR cameras: Nitrogen leaks in imaging systems on two drones rendered them unable to provide crucial situational awareness.
Faulty High-Performance SARs: Two drones experienced malfunctions with these key radars within ten hours of operation, limiting their intelligence gathering capabilities.
SATCOM failures: Both airborne and ground segments of SATCOM systems failed in separate drones, disrupting communication and control.
Other technical problems: Additional issues included a defective fuel pump, incompatible spare parts, and malfunctioning defuelling equipment.
These repeated failures raise serious questions about the quality and reliability of these Chinese drones, highlighting potential risks and limitations for the Pakistani Air Force.