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Songar is equipped with 5.56 mm NATO-standard firearms, boasts automatic fire stabilisation, and is capable of autonomous take-off and landing
The Songar drone, developed by Turkish defence firm Asisguard, is the first armed drone inducted into the Turkish military’s arsenal. (Image via X)
India on Friday accused Pakistan of deploying Turkish-made drones in a large-scale, unprovoked attack on Indian military installations on Thursday night.
At an Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force(IAF) confirmed that Turkish-origin armed drones—Asisguard Songar—were used in the brazen assault, which Indian forces responded swiftly, neutralising the threat using both kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
“On the night of May 8-9, Pakistan carried out large-scale violations of Indian airspace, attempting to target military infrastructure with 300-400 drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek,” said Singh.
What Are Songar Drones? Turkey’s First Armed UAV System
The Songar drone, developed by Turkish defence firm Asisguard, is the first armed drone inducted into the Turkish military’s arsenal. It was officially added to their inventory in 2020 and later integrated with armoured land vehicles in 2021 to enhance surveillance and strike capabilities during cross-border missions.
According to Defence Turkey magazine and the company’s official website, the Songar is equipped with 5.56 mm NATO-standard firearms, boasts automatic fire stabilisation, and is capable of autonomous take-off and landing. These features make it highly effective for military and internal security operations, especially in rugged or sensitive terrain.
Songar drones can be configured for both reconnaissance and combat roles, allowing them to neutralise targets with precision and relay real-time intelligence to command centres.
India-Pakistan Tensions Continue To Escalate
The current standoff between India and Pakistan intensified following India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, in which Indian forces targeted nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives.
On the intervening night of May 8 and 9, Pakistan retaliated with a massive drone offensive, violating Indian airspace and attempting to hit military installations. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed that the Indian armed forces effectively neutralised the incoming threats.
Amid this ongoing conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held consultations with top defence veterans, including former chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, to review the national security scenario and discuss future responses.
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