Pakistan recently introduced a new long-range loitering munition, the D-248, officially unveiled by Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) at the Indus Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Expo 2026.
According to the manufacturer, this "kamikaze drone" boasts an impressive operational range of up to 3,000 kilometers and can stay airborne for 12 to 14 hours.
Because this range surpasses almost every conventional missile currently in Pakistan's arsenal, the announcement has sparked widespread interest regarding the drone's true capabilities and where its technology comes from.
During the expo, HIT also displayed another long-range drone, the S-369, further highlighting the country's push into unmanned warfare.
Visually, the D-248 looks remarkably similar to the Iranian Shahed series of attack drones. At the same time, experts note that its internal technology could be heavily influenced by Chinese drone developments.
While Pakistani officials have kept quiet about the specific engine, navigation systems, and current production status, the introduction of the D-248 clearly signals Pakistan's intent to develop long-range, one-way attack drones.
Such weapons allow militaries to strike critical targets deep inside hostile territory at a fraction of the cost of traditional missiles.
A Familiar Design with Bold Performance Claims
Based on the official specifications shared at the RAS Expo, the D-248 features a tailless delta-wing design. It has a maximum take-off weight of 240 kilograms and can carry an explosive payload of 30 to 50 kilograms.The drone measures 3.3 meters across its wings, flies at altitudes up to 4,500 meters, and cruises at a speed of 185 kilometers per hour, maxing out at 225 kilometers per hour.
However, the most surprising numbers are its promised 2,200 to 3,000-kilometer range and its ability to fly for up to 14 hours without refueling.
Should these specifications be accurate, the D-248 would rank among the longest-range suicide drones in the world.
Such endurance and distance are usually seen in much larger, more expensive military aircraft, rather than small, single-use drones designed to crash into their targets.
Looking closely at the drone, it uses a triangular wing shape, a compact main body, and a rear propeller system.
This specific aerodynamic setup is almost identical to the Iranian Shahed-136, a loitering munition that has gained global notoriety for its widespread use in modern combat, particularly in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Outperforming Traditional Missiles in Range
The most notable feature of the D-248 remains its distance capabilities. Pakistan already possesses weapons like the Babur cruise missile and the Shaheen ballistic missile series.While a few strategic ballistic missiles can travel farther, a 3,000-kilometer range means this new drone can fly much deeper into enemy territory than the vast majority of Pakistan's conventional precision-guided weapons.
In theory, this allows the military to launch the drone from safe locations deep within Pakistan while still holding targets at risk far beyond its immediate neighbors.
Because loitering munitions fly slowly and are harder to detect on radar, they can easily confuse and overwhelm an enemy's air defense systems, forcing them to stay on high alert for long durations.
Despite the excitement, many experts have raised technical doubts. To travel 3,000 kilometers with a 240-kilogram aircraft carrying a 50-kilogram bomb, the drone would need incredibly efficient fuel consumption, an ultra-lightweight body, and a highly reliable engine capable of running non-stop for over 12 hours.
Because the manufacturer has not released details about the engine, fuel capacity, or navigation tools, it is impossible for independent analysts to verify if these claims are entirely true.
Strong Ties to Iranian and Chinese Technology
The physical appearance of the D-248 immediately draws comparisons to Iran's proven drone designs.By adopting the same triangular wings and simple body shape, Pakistan seems to be focusing on the cheap, mass-production tactics that Iran perfected.
The Shahed drones have shown the world that launching waves of inexpensive, simple drones can easily exhaust and overwhelm highly advanced, expensive air defense systems.
Over the years, Pakistan has worked closely with various nations on defense projects. Because of this, many believe the D-248's design is not purely coincidental.
While there is no official proof of a direct partnership with Iran on this specific project, the visual and tactical similarities are too strong for military analysts to ignore.
Using a delta-wing shape provides clear benefits for single-use attack drones. It makes the manufacturing process simpler and cheaper, creates more space inside for fuel, and ensures stable flying over long distances.
While the Iranian connection is obvious, the drone's internal components likely point toward China.
For the past twenty years, Pakistan's defense industry has grown deeply intertwined with Chinese military technology. The two nations have already successfully partnered on major projects, including the JF-17 fighter jet, various armed drones, and advanced missile systems.
China currently produces a massive amount of drone technology, including lightweight body materials, satellite navigation tools, automated flight computers, and fuel-efficient engines.
Although no specific Chinese company has been publicly linked to the D-248, it is highly probable that its internal workings—such as the engine, communication gear, and navigation modules—were sourced from Chinese suppliers.
Furthermore, Heavy Industries Taxila, the company that showcased the drone, is traditionally known for building tanks and armored vehicles, not advanced aircraft.
This lack of aviation history strongly suggests that foreign technology partners or other outside organizations played a major role in developing the D-248.
A Global Move Toward Cheaper Warfare
The creation of the D-248 aligns with a major shift in modern warfare. Recent global conflicts have proven that cheap, long-range suicide drones can inflict as much strategic damage as expensive cruise missiles.Consequently, armed forces worldwide are moving away from relying only on pricey, high-tech weapons, opting instead for disposable drones to destroy enemy power plants, military bases, and radar stations.
If Pakistan can successfully mass-produce the D-248, it will gain a highly affordable way to expand its long-range attack capabilities.
The drone's ability to fly for over half a day also gives military commanders incredible flexibility, allowing them to circle the drone near a target and wait for the perfect moment to strike.
Many Unanswered Questions
Even with the bold claims made on paper, many essential details are still hidden from the public.Pakistan has refused to share what type of engine powers the drone or how it navigates to its target. It is also unclear if the D-248 relies entirely on satellites or if it uses cameras and terrain-mapping software to guide itself to a final impact.
Additionally, there is no public proof that the drone has ever completed a successful test flight. The military has not announced how many of these drones will be built, nor have they confirmed if the D-248 is officially ready for combat use.
Until actual flight tests are shown to the world, the impressive numbers provided by the manufacturer remain unverified claims. The long flight time and extreme distance suggest the drone is mostly filled with fuel, which normally leaves very little room for a heavy explosive payload.
To achieve both, the drone would require an incredibly light body frame, an engineering challenge that will only be proven once more details are revealed.
A Weapon System to Watch
Whether the D-248 lives up to its grand promises or falls short, its public debut proves that Pakistan is deeply committed to building or assembling its own long-range strike drones.By blending the proven design strategies of Iranian drones with an aerospace industry deeply tied to Chinese technology, the D-248 represents a potentially significant shift in regional military power.
While no official evidence of foreign assistance has been released, this unique combination of influences continues to drive speculation across the global defense community.
