Pakistan unveils new kamikaze drone at IDEX 2025
Pakistan has unveiled its latest loitering munition, the BLAZE-25, at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
The BLAZE-25, designed and manufactured by a leading Pakistani defense firm, is a tube-launched smart loitering munition engineered for precision strikes in short-range scenarios. As the lightest and most compact member of its drone family, it offers a balance between operational flexibility and lethality.
Weighing 25 kg, the BLAZE-25 is powered by an electric propulsion system, making it well-suited for missions that require a low acoustic and thermal signature. The drone has an operational range of up to 75 km and can loiter over a target area for up to 60 minutes, providing operators with an extended engagement window before striking.
One of the key features of the BLAZE-25 is its dual functionality. It can be deployed as a traditional loitering munition or as a surveillance drone. When operating as a drone, it maintains a data-link range of 10 km, significantly shorter than its maximum engagement distance. This indicates the integration of autonomous targeting capabilities, allowing it to operate independently once deployed, reducing the risk of jamming or signal interference.
Pakistan’s unveiling of the BLAZE-25 at IDEX 2025 comes at a time when loitering munitions are increasingly becoming a key element of modern warfare. These systems have demonstrated their effectiveness in recent conflicts, providing militaries with cost-effective precision strike capabilities against high-value targets.
The introduction of the BLAZE-25 places Pakistan among a growing number of nations investing in next-generation loitering munitions, a segment currently dominated by the United States, Israel, and Turkey. The system is expected to attract interest from international buyers looking for affordable and effective drone-based solutions for asymmetric warfare, counterterrorism operations, and conventional military engagements.
