As part of the Independence Day celebrations, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) showcased a new drone concept, called the “Al-Murtajiz,” on 14 August.
While no technical details were provided, PAF personnel described it as a ground-launched drone designed for multiple roles, including intercepting air-to-surface munitions such as subsonic cruise missiles and performing kamikaze strike missions. However, further details were not disclosed, and the model was later removed from the display.
The displayed model appeared to be a low-fidelity prototype, featuring an air inlet for a miniature turbojet engine, foldable narrow-chord wings, and a low-observable (LO) airframe design. Analysts speculate that the Al-Murtajiz is part of the PAF’s broader efforts to develop manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities.
This doctrine involves integrating manned and unmanned combat systems to maximize operational effectiveness, such as deploying drones in high-risk environments to absorb enemy fire before sending in crewed aircraft.
The PAF has both officially and unofficially confirmed its commitment to building MUM-T capabilities, aligning with global trends in modern air warfare.The PAF is expected to expand its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) fleet to include jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) of various sizes and capabilities.
The PAF’s semi-official publication, Second to None, outlines a vision for future UAS operations, including air-to-air combat, MUM-T, and stealth missions. This approach is seen as a cost-effective way to enhance offensive air power, as relying solely on next-generation crewed fighter aircraft is economically unfeasible.
Instead, the PAF is likely to adopt a model where crewed fighters act as command nodes managing UCAVs in integrated operations, a strategy similar to that of its primary defense partner, China.
While it remains uncertain if the Al-Murtajiz design will progress to production, its unveiling signals the PAF’s intent to develop multipurpose drones capable of decoy, loitering munitions, and specialized missions such as electronic countermeasures (ECM).