ISLAMABAD: A new long-range drone reportedly capable of travelling up to 3,000 kilometres has drawn attention to Pakistan’s expanding drone and unmanned warfare capabilities.
Senior analyst Mansoor Ali Khan, during his podcast, referred to a video by US journalist Mario Nawfal, who claimed that Pakistan has developed a new D-248 drone capable of covering a range of up to 3,000 kilometres and carrying between 30 and 50 kilograms of explosive material.
According to the discussion, Nawfal described the alleged D-248 as a target-destroying drone similar to Iran’s Shahed series of one-way attack drones. Such systems are generally classified as loitering munitions or one-way attack drones, which are designed to fly toward a designated target and detonate upon impact.
Mansoor Ali Khan said the reported development could represent a significant advancement in Pakistan’s defence capabilities if the claims regarding the D-248 are verified.
The discussion also linked the alleged drone development to growing defence and strategic cooperation between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, referring to the reported “Mecca Agreement.” However, the available material does not independently establish a direct connection between the D-248 and any trilateral defence agreement.
Growing Importance of Drone Technology
The reported development comes amid the growing importance of drone technology in modern warfare. Countries around the world have increasingly relied on unmanned aerial systems for surveillance, precision strikes and long-range attacks.
Pakistan has also continued efforts to expand and modernise its indigenous unmanned aerial capabilities. If the reported specifications of the D-248 are confirmed, a long-range system of this type could significantly enhance Pakistan’s ability to conduct operations over extended distances.
The claims, however, remain unverified, and no independent confirmation of the D-248’s reported range, payload capacity or operational status was cited in the material discussed by Mansoor Ali Khan.
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