Technicians stand next to a drone. Falco, the UAV to be manufactured under the project will address surveillance and reconnaissance needs of Pakistan Air Force. -Photo by AP (file)

A ceremony marking the launch of the project was held at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra, on Thursday. It was presided over by Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan, the chairman of the PAC board.

Falco, the UAV to be manufactured under the project, is designed by the Italian firm. The aircraft will address surveillance and reconnaissance needs of Pakistan Air Force.

Speaking on the occasion, Air Marshal Hussain said the UAV co-production facility was a major step towards the long-term goal of self-reliance in military aviation industry.

He praised PAC engineers and technicians who had worked unrelentingly for two years to establish the facility.

He said that establishing the UAV manufacturing unit was a challenging task requiring total dedication.

He said that the Falco would greatly enhance PAF's operational capability.

Air Marshal Hussain lauded the Italian company's cooperation which helped Pakistan to become part of an exclusive club of countries having the capability to manufacture a modern tactical drone.

The roll-out of the first Falco UAV at the PAC is scheduled in the near future.