Pak remote-control spy plane was of Chinese make
The mystery about the make of the remote-control pilotless aircraft,
which intruded into Indian airspace on January 15 appears to have
been unravelled.
Circumstantial evidence indicates the intruding spy craft most
probably is of Chinese make as Pakistan is understood to have
acquired an unspecified number of such craft of Chinese origin.
Earlier, there were reports that the unmanned spy plane may be
of Israeli origin and Pakistan may have come about it in the international
arms bazaar.
Defence officials claim Pakistan has acquired remote-control pilotless
aircraft of Chinese origin. These have piston engines.
These craft have a maximum speed of 205 km per hour and can fly
up to a maximum altitude of 3,200 metres.
A handful of countries have so far acquired from Israel, US and
France the know-how to build such planes.
Australia, China and Russia are other countries which build such
planes of eight-metre length.
China is understood to have an active programme to develop the
remote-control espionage craft. The Chinese planes are up to nine
metres in length.
The planes can carry out surveillance because of the cameras,
night-vision devices and other sophisticated sensors on board.
The airborne craft are highly manoeuvrable and use the capability
to spot targets. The information they receive is then relayed
live through a data link to an airborne post or ground station.
Battlefield surveillance is the prime objective of such planes
also called UAVs or unmanned aerial vehicles.
The South Western Air Command has been reporting some intrusions
into Indian airspace in the neighbourhood of Bhuj and Nalia in
Gujarat, adjoining the western border, in the first half of January.
These intrusions were made by small pilotless and remote-control
aircraft, originating on the Pakistan side of the border.
One such plane was sighted near Bhuj airport on the morning of
January 15 and was fired at by the Indian Air Force.
Simultaneously, air defence measures were also initiated by the
IAF to prevent such intrusions.
Though the intruding plane was hit, its debris have not been located
so far. A protest was lodged through diplomatic channels with
Pakistan regarding intrusions of the Indian air space, which were
in violation of the bilateral agreement between the two countries
on prevention of airspace violations.
Pakistan has, however, denied any intrusions by its aircraft.
UNI
|
