SOURCE: AFI
At the ongoing International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) in Karachi, a surprising claim emerged from Awais Rauf, film producer and Chairman of the University of Lahore (UOL). Rauf, who also serves as the Director of Blue Search Private Limited, unveiled what he described as Pakistan’s first long-range air surveillance radar system, the AM350S, which he claims can monitor airspace up to 350 kilometers.
The radar, showcased as a mobile platform that can be rapidly deployed, is reportedly being developed in collaboration with Pakistan’s state-owned National Radio Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) and private sector partners. According to Rauf, the radar has already drawn interest from Pakistan’s “friendly countries” for potential export.
Despite the ambitious declarations, significant doubts surround the origins and development of the AM350S. Rauf, best known for producing the 2022 Pakistani spy thriller “Zarrar”, has no prior track record in the field of defense technology. The legitimacy of Blue Search Private Limited, the company claimed to have manufactured the radar, is also under scrutiny.
Blue Search Private Limited lacks a website or an official digital footprint, raising concerns about its capabilities and authenticity. Additionally, it has no listed local address or operational facilities in Pakistan that are visible online.
Rauf has not disclosed critical details about the radar’s origin, design, or whether it incorporates foreign technology, fueling speculation about its actual development process.
The project’s sudden emergence under the leadership of someone from a non-technical background has raised eyebrows among defense analysts. The AM350S radar’s specifications and claimed capabilities, such as monitoring airspace over 350 kilometers, suggest a highly advanced system—one that would typically require years of R&D by specialized defense companies.
Adding to the scepticism is ARY Films, that is owned by the Abdul Razzak Yaqoob that was the distributor of Rauf’s movie Zarrar, known for its close association with Pakistan’s establishment. Observers have questioned whether this claim is part of a larger narrative to project Pakistan’s defence self-reliance rather than a genuine technological breakthrough.
The involvement of NRTC, a state-owned entity specializing in telecommunications and electronics for defence, does lend some credibility to the project. However, the extent of its collaboration and its role in the radar’s development remains unclear.
Rauf stated that “friendly countries” have shown interest in the AM350S, but details of these nations or potential deals have not been disclosed. If the radar system’s claims hold true, it could provide Pakistan with a strategic advantage in regional air surveillance and bolster its defense exports.
The unveiling of the AM350S radar at IDEAS 2024 has sparked a mix of curiosity and skepticism. While it is being projected as a major leap in Pakistan’s defense capabilities, the lack of transparency around the project, the questionable expertise of its proponents, and the absence of verifiable evidence leave many unanswered questions.