KARACHI: The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) is set to significantly enhance its lifesaving capabilities at sea with the induction of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, by the end of this year. The initiative aims to modernize search and rescue (SAR) operations for distressed fishermen and vessels across Pakistan’s maritime zone.
The new drones will be equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors, enabling the PMSA to monitor maritime accidents and conduct surveillance up to 200 nautical miles from the coast. Beyond observation, these UAVs will provide critical real-time video to command centers and have the unique capability to deliver emergency equipment, such as life jackets and floating bags, directly to people in the water.
This technological upgrade comes as the PMSA continues its vital work safeguarding one of the world’s busiest maritime regions. The agency operates as the nation’s principal force for maritime rescue, coordinating with over 50 national and international partners through the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC) in Karachi. In the last five years alone, the PMSA has saved over 2,000 lives through more than 200 coordinated SAR operations.
Deputy Director General of the PMSA, Commodore Syed Noman Ali, confirmed the move, stating the agency is actively inducting “unarmed drones with advanced sensors to expedite search and rescue and aerial reconnaissance.” He emphasized that this technology, alongside other planned systems like modern Vessel Monitoring Systems for fishing boats, will “slash the response time hugely”.
Pakistan’s foray into maritime drones builds upon its established position as a significant global operator of UAV technology. The integration of these systems into the PMSA fleet represents a strategic shift towards using cost-effective, advanced technology to improve maritime domain awareness and fulfill international search and rescue obligations more efficiently.
