Pakistan’s Next Move: Why Drones, Not Fighter Jets, Are the Future of its Air Force

The debate over new F-16s for the Pakistan Air Force is back. But is it the right conversation to be having?

In this episode of Defence Uncut, we argue that the future of Pakistan's air dominance doesn't lie in more imported fighters, but in a bold and strategic pivot to a sovereign Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) program.

We explore how the realities of modern aerial warfare, coupled with Pakistan's existing industrial strengths, make UCAVs a more accessible, scalable, and economically viable path to securing the nation's airspace. We also lay out a roadmap for how to organize the domestic defence industry - from NESCOM to NASTP to the private sector - to make this ambitious vision a reality.

Tune in to understand why the next generation of the PAF might be piloted by AI.

Defence Uncut by Quwa is the first English-language podcast zeroing in on Pakistan’s defence scene.

Each bite-sized episode dissects current procurements, strategy shifts, and security events, connecting the dots so listeners gain a clear, data-driven big-picture view.

Hosted by Bilal Khan, Defence Uncut turns dense news into precise, engaging analysis for professionals, enthusiasts, and anyone who needs to stay ahead of Pakistan’s rapidly evolving military landscape.

Learn more about Quwa at https://quwa.org

• No. of episodes: 8
• Latest episode: 2025-07-21
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