Despite their novelty, the impact of the Songar drones during Op Sindoor was limited. Indian air defences, including the Akash system and mobile counter-UAS units, successfully neutralised many of these drones

Below is a detailed examination of six key weapons systems used by Pakistan during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, focusing on drones, anti-drone systems, and artillery. The systems selected are the Burraq UAV, Shahpar UAV, Wing Loong UAV, HQ-9 Anti-Drone System, Anti-Aircraft Guns, and M-109 Howitzer.

Wing Loong UAV. The Wing Loong, a Chinese-made medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV, is operated by Pakistan for both ISR and strike missions. With a 20-hour endurance and a 2,000 km range, it can carry precision-guided munitions like BA-7 missiles. In the recent conflict, Pakistan likely deployed Wing Loong drones to augment its drone fleet, conducting deep reconnaissance and strikes. Following Operation Sindoor, which targeted Pakistani airfields, Wing Loong UAVs gathered intelligence on military movements and struck some targets near the border areas in J&K and Punjab. Reports of Pakistani drone attacks on Indian locations, including civilian areas, suggest Wing Loong’s involvement in Pakistan’s offensive strategy. The Wing Loong’s performance, noted in ABC News, highlighted the strategic value of Chinese-Pakistani military cooperation. By enabling persistent surveillance and precision strikes, the Wing Loong bolstered Pakistan’s ability while reinforcing the centrality of drones in the conflict.

Burraq UAV. The Burraq UAV, developed by Pakistan’s National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) and Pakistan Air Force, is a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strikes. With a 12-hour endurance and a 1,000 km range, it carries laser-guided Barq missiles for targeting ground assets. During Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, the Burraq was pivotal in Pakistan’s drone operations. It conducted ISR missions to monitor Indian troop movements along the Line of Control (LoC) and executed strikes on military installations in  Kashmir. Reports indicate Pakistan used Burraq drones to hit a few targets at Indian bases. Some were intercepted by India’s AD systems despite its low-altitude flight and stealth features to enhance its effectiveness. The Burraq’s contributions highlighted Pakistan’s growing reliance on drones for modern warfare, shaping the conflict’s tactical dynamics.

Songar Drones. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan employed the Songar drones, Turkish-made armed quadcopters, to target Indian military installations along the western border. These drones are relatively small, lightweight, and designed to carry lightweight machine guns or grenade launchers, enabling precision fire from the air. Their modular design and ease of deployment make them attractive for quick, high-mobility attacks. In the Pakistani strikes, Songar drones were used in swarm tactics to probe and inflict damage on sensitive military locations, taking advantage of gaps in air defence and radar coverage. Despite their novelty, the impact of the Songar drones during Op Sindoor was limited. Indian air defences, including the Akash system and mobile counter-UAS units, successfully neutralised many of these drones before they could inflict significant damage. The use of Songar drones, however, underscores Pakistan’s evolving approach to integrating modern, low-cost unmanned systems into its battlefield strategy.

Shahpar UAV

The Shahpar UAV, developed by Global Industrial Defence Solutions (GIDS) in Pakistan, is a tactical, medium-altitude drone optimized for surveillance and reconnaissance. With a 7-hour endurance and a 250 km range, it features electro-optical and infrared sensors for real-time intelligence gathering. During the conflict, the Shahpar played a critical role in Pakistan’s ISR operations, providing situational awareness along the LoC and border regions. It monitored Indian military deployments, identifying targets for artillery and drone strikes. Deployed to support Pakistan’s response to India’s strikes on May 7, 2025, the Shahpar’s high-res imagery enabled targeting, enhancing the effectiveness of Pakistan’s  operations. Reportedly, Shahpar’s data feeds support coordinated attacks including those by Burraq.

HQ-9 Anti-aircraft System

The HQ-9, a Chinese-made long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s air defence network. With a 125 km range against aircraft and 25 km against low-flying targets like drones, it features advanced radar for multi-target engagement. Pakistan claimed to have downed some Indian drones, including those over Lahore, using systems like the HQ-9, reports Reuters. Deployed around key installations, the HQ-9 attempted to protect airfields and urban centers from Indian UAV incursions. Its ability to track and engage low-altitude targets was critical in contested airspace, where Indian drones sought to exploit gaps in Pakistan’s defences. India claimed to have destroyed an HQ-9 system near Lahore, but Pakistan denied significant losses, as per an article in the Newsweek. The HQ-9’s performance underscored Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese technology to counter modern aerial threats.

Anti-Aircraft Guns

Pakistan’s anti-aircraft guns, including the Type 87 (35mm) and Type 90 (twin 35mm) systems, provided a kinetic defence against low-altitude threats like drones during the conflict. These rapid-fire guns, equipped with radar-guided targeting, are effective against small, agile UAVs that evade missile systems. Deployed around military bases and urban areas, they countered Indian drone incursions targeting cities like Karachi and Lahore. Pakistan reported neutralising multiple Indian drones, with anti-aircraft guns playing a key role in close-range engagements as per a report in the Reuters. Their high rate of fire and mobility allowed rapid response to drone threats, protecting critical infrastructure. Unlike the HQ-9, which focused on longer-range targets, anti-aircraft guns addressed immediate, low-altitude threats. While India claimed to have overwhelmed some Pakistani air defence systems, the sustained operation of these guns suggests their dependence on legacy systems.

M-109 Howitzer. The M-109, a 155mm self-propelled howitzer from the United States, is a mainstay of Pakistan’s artillery offering mobility and precision with a 30 km range using guided munitions. In the 2025 conflict, M-109 howitzers were deployed along the LoC to shell Indian military positions, including forward bases and troop concentrations. Following India’s strikes on May 7, 2025, Pakistan’s artillery fire along the LoC including M-109 fire, targeted Indian defences and civilian areas including religious places, causing at least 16 civilian deaths and infrastructure damage. Coordinated with drone surveillance, these howitzers delivered fire strikes enhancing their impact. Their mobility allowed repositioning to evade counter-battery fire. The intense artillery exchanges (as reported by BBC), underscored the M-109’s role in border skirmishes.