The Asisguard Songar, a Turkish-made drone, has become a big topic in the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and India. On the night of May 8, 2025, Pakistan used these drones to target Indian military sites, raising tensions to a new level. This move came after India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, where they struck terrorist bases in Pakistan following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. The Songar drones, known for their firepower and advanced features, show how modern warfare is changing, with technology playing a bigger role. In this article, we’ll look at what these drones are, how Pakistan used them, what it means for both countries, and the challenges ahead. Written in a simple, heartfelt tone, this piece aims to explain this complex issue and its impact on the region.
What Is the Asisguard Songar Drone?
The Asisguard Songar is a drone made by a Turkish company called Asisguard, based in Ankara. It’s the first armed drone Turkey built on its own, entering their military in 2020. The drone is designed for combat and spying, making it a powerful tool in war. It can carry weapons like a machine gun with 200 rounds, grenade launchers, or even mortars. It also has a non-lethal version that drops tear gas. The Songar can fly up to 5 kilometers and reach heights of 2,800 meters, while sending live video to its operators. It’s built to work in tough conditions, from -20°C to 50°C, and can handle winds up to 10 meters per second. With a flight time of about 30 minutes without a load, it’s made for quick, tactical missions, often working with ground troops or other drones.
Features of the Songar
The Songar drone comes in five types, each with different weapons. One has a 5.56mm rifle, another a 40mm grenade launcher that can fire up to six grenades at 400-450 meters. It has smart features like automatic firing and return-to-home if it loses signal. The drone also supports swarm attacks, where many drones strike together, making it hard for enemies to defend.
Why Pakistan Chose It
Pakistan likely picked the Songar for its compact size and versatility. It’s good for border missions, as it can fly close to the Line of Control—within its 5-kilometer range—and strike fast. Its ability to spy and attack at the same time makes it useful for testing defenses, gathering information, and launching surprise hits, which Pakistan aimed to do against India.
The Night of the Attack: May 8, 2025
On the night of May 8, 2025, Pakistan sent 300-400 Songar drones to target 36 locations in India, including military bases in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. This came right after India’s Operation Sindoor, which hit terrorist sites in Pakistan as a response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. Indian officials, like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, said the drones were likely used to test India’s air defenses and gather intelligence. India’s forces acted fast, shooting down most of the drones using both direct and indirect methods. Later that night, Pakistan tried again, targeting the Bathinda military station, but India’s defenses held strong. The attack caused tension, with explosions heard in Kashmir and blackouts in some areas, showing how serious the situation had become.
India’s Response
India’s air defense systems, including tools like the Akash and S-400, worked well, stopping most of the drones before they could do major harm. Colonel Qureshi noted that India responded carefully, ensuring no civilian planes were at risk, even though Pakistan kept its airspace open. India also struck back, hitting four air defense sites in Pakistan and destroying a radar.
Pakistan’s Strategy
Pakistan’s use of Songar drones seems to be a mix of testing India’s defenses and showing off its new technology. By launching so many drones at once, they likely wanted to overwhelm India’s systems. The drones’ swarm ability, where they attack together from different angles, was part of this plan. Pakistan might have also wanted to send a message, showing it can strike back after India’s earlier operation.
Why This Matters for India and Pakistan
The use of Songar drones marks a big shift in how India and Pakistan face off. It shows how technology, like drones, is changing warfare, making conflicts more complex. For India, it’s a wake-up call to strengthen its defenses against such threats, especially since Pakistan is now using advanced tools from allies like Turkey. For Pakistan, it’s a way to push back against India’s military power, but it also risks making things worse. Both countries are nuclear powers, so any escalation could lead to a much bigger conflict. The attack also strains their already tense relationship, making peace talks harder. Plus, it pulls in other countries—like Turkey, which supports Pakistan—adding a global angle to a regional issue, which could make things even more complicated.
Impact on Regional Stability
The drone attack has made the region more unstable. Tensions were already high after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, and this move has added fuel to the fire. Both sides have lost lives—31 civilians in Pakistan and 16 in India from recent clashes. The risk of a larger war looms, especially with both nations having nuclear weapons, which could be disastrous.
Turkey’s Role in the Conflict
Turkey’s involvement is a big factor. The Songar drones show how Turkey is helping Pakistan militarily, with reports of arms sales worth $5.16 million last year. Turkey has also sent ships and planes to Pakistan, and its leaders, like President Erdogan, have openly backed Pakistan, even condemning India’s actions. This support makes the conflict more than just India versus Pakistan—it’s now a broader issue with international players.
Challenges of Drone Warfare in the Region
Drone warfare, like the use of Songar drones, brings new challenges for both India and Pakistan. For one, it’s hard to spot and stop small drones, especially when they attack in groups. This makes defense systems work harder and faster. It also blurs the line between small strikes and bigger wars, as drones can hit without warning, leading to quick escalations. Another issue is the civilian risk—drones can accidentally hit homes or schools, as seen in recent clashes where both sides reported civilian deaths. Plus, the technology race means both countries will keep building better drones and defenses, which could lead to more spending on weapons instead of things like schools or hospitals. Lastly, international laws on drone use are unclear, making it hard to hold countries accountable.
Defending Against Drones
Stopping drones like the Songar is tough because they’re small, fast, and can attack in groups. India’s defenses, like the S-400, did well, but the sheer number of drones—300 to 400—shows the challenge. Future defenses might need better radar, lasers, or even counter-drones to catch and stop these threats before they reach their targets.
Risk to Civilians
Drones can easily hit the wrong places, like homes or schools, putting innocent people in danger. In this conflict, both India and Pakistan have reported civilian deaths—31 in Pakistan and 16 in India. The Songar’s weapons, like grenades, can cause big damage if they miss their target. This makes it crucial for both sides to be careful and avoid crowded areas during attacks.
What Can Be Done to Ease Tensions?
The use of Songar drones shows how urgent it is for India and Pakistan to find ways to calm things down. One step could be better communication—both sides need to talk directly to avoid misunderstandings that lead to more attacks. International help, like from the U.S., which has offered to mediate, could also bring them to the table. Both countries should focus on stopping terrorism together, since the Pahalgam attack started this cycle. They could also agree on rules for drone use, to avoid civilian harm and escalations. On a bigger level, addressing the root issues—like the Kashmir dispute—through peaceful talks is key. While it’s hard, especially with trust so low, small steps like these can prevent a bigger conflict and save lives on both sides.
Role of Global Powers
Global powers like the U.S. can help by pushing for peace talks and offering to mediate, as they’ve done recently. They can also pressure Turkey to stop fueling the conflict with arms support to Pakistan. Countries like China, which is close to Pakistan, could encourage both sides to step back and focus on dialogue instead of weapons.
Building Trust Between Nations
Trust is hard to build, but small actions can help. India and Pakistan could start with agreements on drone use, like not targeting civilians. Sharing information about military moves can also reduce surprises that lead to attacks. Over time, working together on shared issues—like climate change or trade—might create a foundation for peace, even if it takes years.
