Aircraft & UAVs

Shahpar-II

Also known as
  • Shahpar 2
  • Shahpar II
  • Shahpar-II Block II
  • Shahpar-2 Block II
  • SHAHPAR-II (BLOCK II)

Shahpar-II is GIDS's Pakistani medium-altitude, long-endurance UCAV with autonomous takeoff and landing, redundant data links, SATCOM, and four wing hardpoints for modular payloads. Open reporting shows it as an armed surveillance and strike drone, and Reuters cited Pakistani sources saying it was used in Pakistan's May 8, 2025 drone deployment during the India-Pakistan conflict.

Shahpar-II, Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: GIDS Air Products

Role in Conflicts

Mission Systems

Open reporting and GIDS materials frame Shahpar-II Block II as a modular armed UAV rather than a surveillance-only airframe.

Flight control

GIDS lists autonomous takeoff and landing, a robust autopilot, ground-station mission planning, and triple-redundant communication data links.

Sensor fit

GIDS markets COMINT/ELINT, SAR, and HD EO/IR payload options; EDEX and Military Africa reporting identify Zumr-II EO/IR turret integration.

Armed role

GIDS lists laser-guided missile integration, while EDEX and Military Africa reporting tie Shahpar-II to Burq air-to-ground missile carriage and demonstration activity.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Pakistan
Type
Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle
Service note
Publicly exhibited in 2021; documented in 2024 live-fire and 2025 conflict reporting
Designer
NESCOM; marketed by Global Industrial & Defence Solutions
Designed
In development since at least 2017; officially revealed on March 23, 2021
Unit cost
Not publicly disclosed
Produced
In production by 2024
Number built
Not publicly disclosed

Specifications

Data link range
250 km line-of-sight and 1,500 km beyond-line-of-sight
Endurance
20 hours ISR; 15 hours armed with 60 kg external payload; 12 hours armed with 120 kg external payload
Altitude ceiling
25,000 ft ISR and 22,000 ft armed
Wingspan
35 ft
Maximum takeoff weight
1,125 kg
Payload
75 kg internal payload and 120 kg external payload on four wing hardpoints
Engine
140 hp turbocharged engine with intercooler
Airframe
Advanced composite and metallic hybrid structure with retractable landing gear
Mission systems
Autonomous takeoff and landing, SATCOM, triple-redundant communication data links, optional COMINT/ELINT, SAR, and HD EO/IR payloads, and laser-guided missiles with CEP below 1.5 m
Variants

Public sources distinguish the original Shahpar-II shown in 2021 from the improved Block II configuration now marketed by GIDS with higher endurance, ceiling, payload, and four hardpoints.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Shahpar-II Block IIImproved armed MALE/UCAV configuration

GIDS's current air-products page markets Shahpar-II Block II with 20-hour ISR endurance, 1,500 km BLOS data-link range, 120 kg external payload on four hardpoints, and laser-guided missile integration.

Sources: GIDS Air Products

Carried Munitions

Shahpar-II's armed configuration is source-backed as a light precision-strike payload, with Burq identified as the named GIDS missile family tied to the airframe.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Burq air-to-ground missile, Laser-guided air-to-ground missile family, MunitionsBurq air-to-ground missileLaser-guided air-to-ground missile

EDEX coverage said Shahpar-II can carry a Burq laser-guided air-to-ground missile on each wing, while Quwa described the Burq family as intended for GIDS Shahpar 2 and Shahpar-3 UAVs.

Sources: Pakistan Showcased Shahpar-II UAV at Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2021), Pakistan Weapons Database | GIDS Burq-25G/-45P/-50P AGM

Timeline

Shahpar-II Key Events

  1. Development underway

    EDEX coverage said GIDS revealed that Shahpar-II had been in development since at least 2017.

    Sources: Pakistan Showcased Shahpar-II UAV at Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2021)

  2. First public exhibit at the Pakistan Day parade

    Military Africa later reported that Shahpar-II was first shown publicly during the Pakistan Day parade as an improved version of GIDS's earlier Shahpar.

    Sources: Pakistani GIDS demos Shahpar II drone in new marketing drive

  3. EDEX 2021 reveals operational specifications

    EDEX 2021 coverage said GIDS and NESCOM marketed Shahpar-II as a MALE UAV for targeted strikes, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering roles.

    Sources: Pakistan Showcased Shahpar-II UAV at Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2021)

  4. Block II presented at IDEX

    TurDef reported that GIDS presented Shahpar-II Block II at IDEX with armed capability, ISR and strike roles, EO/IR and SAR payload options, and autonomous flight-control features.

    Sources: GIDS presents Shahpar-II (Block-II) UCAV at IDEX

  5. Live-fire demo shows armed use

    Military Africa reported GIDS demonstrated live firing in Bahawalpur to military delegates from 11 friendly countries and said the drone could integrate the Burq air-to-ground missile and Zumr-II EO/IR turret.

    Sources: Pakistani GIDS demos Shahpar II drone in new marketing drive

  6. Reuters reports Pakistan used Shahpar-II in the drone deployment

    Reuters cited Pakistani sources saying Pakistan used domestically produced Shahpar-II UAVs in the May 8 drone deployment during the India-Pakistan conflict.

    Sources: India and Pakistan's Drone Battles Mark New Arms Race in Asia

Media

Shahpar-II Videos

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Sources

GIDS Air ProductsPublisher: Global Industrial & Defence Solutions | Note: Supports manufacturer, image provenance, and Shahpar-II Block II specifications including endurance, ceiling, payload, data links, and armed capability. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Pakistani GIDS demos Shahpar II drone in new marketing drivePublisher: Military Africa | Note: Supports background and specs: Military Africa reported a March 2024 live-fire demonstration, said Shahpar-II Block II was shown to military delegates from 11 friendly countries, and described the Zumr-II EO/IR turret and Burq air-to-ground missile integration. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Pakistan Showcased Shahpar-II UAV at Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2021)Publisher: Egypt Defence Expo | Note: Supports background, specs, development chronology, NESCOM/GIDS context, and the specific Burq missile carriage relationship: EDEX 2021 coverage said GIDS and NESCOM marketed Shahpar-II as a MALE UAV for targeted strikes, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering roles. | Accessed: 2026-07-04GIDS presents Shahpar-II (Block-II) UCAV at IDEXPublisher: TurDef | Note: Supports the February 24, 2023 IDEX presentation, armed Block II framing, ISR and strike role, EO/IR and SAR payload options, modular airframe, and autonomous flight-control features. | Accessed: 2026-07-04India and Pakistan's Drone Battles Mark New Arms Race in AsiaPublisher: Reuters via AsiaOne | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct use: Shahpar-II UAVs were fielded by Pakistan during the May 8 drone deployment along the India-Pakistan front, according to Pakistani sources cited by Reuters. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Four Days in May: The India-Pakistan Crisis of 2025Publisher: Stimson Center | Note: Supports background context for the May 7-10, 2025 crisis, drone exchanges, and disputed India-Pakistan operational narratives. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Pakistan Weapons Database | GIDS Burq-25G/-45P/-50P AGMPublisher: Quwa | Note: Supports Burq-family background, specifications, and the Shahpar 2/Shahpar-3 UAV relationship used for the carried-munition link. | Accessed: 2026-07-04