KARACHI — November 1, 2025:
Pakistan took a historic step in defense innovation as Stingray Technologies, a Karachi based defense firm, unveiled the country’s first-ever Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) at the Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (PIMEC) 2025.
The locally developed vessel marks a milestone in Pakistan’s pursuit of indigenous maritime autonomy, reflecting the nation’s commitment to advancing unmanned and autonomous systems within its defense ecosystem.
“This achievement represents the ingenuity and determination of Pakistan’s engineers and defense innovators,” a Stingray Technologies spokesperson said during the unveiling ceremony at PIMEC 2025.
A Leap Toward Maritime Autonomy
The new USV platform is designed for coastal surveillance, reconnaissance, target tracking, and naval support operations. Its modular structure allows for the integration of various payloads including communication systems, cameras, radar modules, and defensive sensors enabling a wide range of missions in coastal and littoral environments.
According to defense officials, the system has been tested in controlled sea trials along Pakistan’s southern coast and has demonstrated high stability, endurance, and autonomous navigation capabilities.
“Pakistan’s defense sector is now entering an age where automation and artificial intelligence will redefine our maritime strategy,” said an official from the Pakistan Navy who attended the demonstration.
Indigenous Design and Capabilities
The USV was conceived, designed, and assembled in Pakistan, with significant contributions from local engineers, research institutions, and the country’s growing defense tech startups.
It features:
- AI-assisted navigation and collision avoidance systems
- Remote operation up to 120 nautical miles
- Multi-mission payload adaptability
- Low radar cross-section (stealth enhanced design)
Officials confirmed that the vessel can perform both autonomous and remotely operated missions, allowing it to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles in both peacetime and conflict conditions.
Part of a Broader Defense Vision
The development aligns with Pakistan’s Maritime Vision 2030, which emphasizes indigenous innovation, digital transformation, and joint civil–military research.
PIMEC 2025 hosted by the Pakistan Navy served as a key platform for local defense startups and private firms to display innovations ranging from drones to cyber defense systems.
Stingray Technologies’ USV stood out as one of the most notable Pakistani breakthroughs at the event, attracting attention from foreign delegates and defense analysts.
“Our aim is to contribute to Pakistan’s self-reliance through innovation,” the company stated. “The USV project demonstrates what’s possible when industry, academia, and the armed forces collaborate.”
Strategic Impact
Defense experts view the introduction of Pakistan’s first USV as a strategic enabler that can extend the Navy’s operational reach while reducing risk to human personnel.
The vessel can perform surveillance in sensitive maritime zones, escort missions, and logistical support without direct human involvement a capability that modernizes Pakistan’s naval warfare approach.
Future Prospects
Officials hinted that advanced variants of the USV are already in development, including versions capable of mine countermeasures, coastal patrol, and electronic warfare.
The platform’s open-architecture design also allows integration with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and underwater drones (UUVs) potentially forming the foundation for Pakistan’s future unmanned maritime fleet.
“This is just the beginning,” said one project engineer. “Pakistan’s defense industry is stepping into the era of smart maritime systems.”
A Symbol of Self-Reliance
The unveiling of the Unmanned Surface Vessel underscores Pakistan’s growing commitment to indigenous innovation, technology transfer, and industrial self-sufficiency in the defense sector.
With this achievement, Pakistan joins a select group of nations developing and deploying homegrown maritime robotics for defense and surveillance.
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