Pakistan to Acquire Chinese CH-4 Drones

Pakistan reportedly plans to purchase 10 more Caihong-4 (CH-4) Medium Altitude - Long Endurance (MALE) Class Unmanned Aerial Vehicles from China for $24 million.

Pakistan Air Force has been operating CH-4s since 2021.

The purchased CH-4s could be a response to India's order for 31 General Dynamics MQ-9 Reapers from the USA in February 2024.

The CH-4 has a payload capacity of 345 kg, a maximum take-off weight of 1,300 kg, an airtime of 40 hours and a cruising speed of 330 km/h. The CH-4 has six different ammunition, including various missiles such as AR-1 and AR-2, FT-7/130 130 kg air-ground munition and GB-7/50 precision guided munition, among other weapons.

The CH-4s sent to Pakistan could be outfitted with the superior turbocharged, four-stroke Lark HLE engine with 150 horsepower. The Lark HLE could also contain the high-pressure common-rail fuel system (HPCR), allowing for more efficient operations.

The CH-4s may also have full authorized digital electronic control (FADEC) for higher performance and an average time of 2,000 hours before an overhaul.

Pakistan operates the Turkish Anka, Bayraktar TB2, Akinci, their own domestically produced Shapar-II drone, the Chinese Wing Loong II, and the CH-4, serving either combat or reconnaissance operations..