SOURCE: AFI
Pakistani defense analysts have expressed growing frustration over the performance of Turkish-supplied Byker YIHA III Kamikaze drones, with several units found crashed well within Pakistan’s own territory. The drones, intended for precision strikes, have come under scrutiny following reports from the Armed Forces Intelligence (AFI) that at least four Byker YIHA III drones malfunctioned and crashed inside Pakistan, as evidenced in recent viral videos. Additionally, drones deployed to target Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir during Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, were intercepted and neutralized by Indian air defenses, failing to achieve their objectives.
The Byker YIHA III, a Turkish-designed loitering munition supplied to Pakistan, was touted for its combat-proven capabilities in conflicts like Syria and Ukraine. However, its recent failures have raised questions about its reliability and Pakistan’s operational proficiency. Videos circulating on social media, particularly from Sialkot, show Pakistani civilians attacking downed Byker YIHA III drones, mistakenly believing them to be Indian, highlighting a lack of awareness and adding irony to the situation.
Pakistani analysts have lamented the drones’ poor performance, pointing to potential issues with maintenance, operator training, or technical malfunctions. “The Byker YIHA III is designed for precision and reliability, but these crashes suggest either systemic flaws or inadequate handling,” one analyst noted on a Pakistani defense forum. The AFI’s report of four confirmed crashes within Pakistan has intensified scrutiny, with some speculating that the drones may have been rushed into service without sufficient testing or integration into Pakistan’s command-and-control systems.
On the Indian side, the Indian Army’s Air Defence (AAD) units demonstrated remarkable efficiency in neutralizing Byker YIHA III drones targeting civilian and military areas in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. On May 10, 2025, multiple drones launched toward Amritsar were shot down within seconds of breaching Indian airspace, with debris recovered in Naushera and Amritsar. Indian officials described the drones as carrying high-explosive payloads aimed at densely populated areas, labeling the attacks a “new low” in Pakistan’s tactics.
The repeated failures of the Byker YIHA III have broader implications for Pakistan’s reliance on foreign-supplied drones and its asymmetric warfare strategy. Analysts suggest that the incidents may prompt Pakistan to reassess its training protocols and integration of Turkish systems, particularly as the drones were intended to target Indian air defenses and radar installations. The crashes also raise concerns about the credibility of Turkish defense exports, which have been marketed as cost-effective solutions for modern warfare.
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