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Defence Uncut

Quwa

Defence Uncut by Quwa is the first English-language podcast zeroing in on Pakistan’s defence scene.

Each bite-sized episode dissects current procurements, strategy shifts, and security events, connecting the dots so listeners gain a clear, data-driven big-picture view.

Hosted by Bilal Khan, Defence Uncut turns dense news into precise, engaging analysis for professionals, enthusiasts, and anyone who needs to stay ahead of Pakistan’s rapidly evolving military landscape.

Learn more about Quwa at https://quwa.org

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S2 · E13
August 13 · 2 hr 4 min
SE02E13: Islamic NATO or Nothing? Inside the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement
Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, and the "Islamic NATO" label was attached within hours. Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan spend the first half of this episode explaining why that framing does not survive contact with the details: an Article 5-style clause broad enough to oblige nobody, the precedents of SEATO and CENTO, three signatories facing three unrelated adversaries in India, Iran and Israel, no integrated command, no hardware interoperability between Pakistan's Link-17 architecture and Turkish or Saudi networks, and effectively no expeditionary lift in any of the three. The optimistic reading is joint capacity building: Saudi fiscal capacity, Turkish industrial know-how, Pakistan's engineering and PAEC/NESCOM talent pool, and parallel production lines for missiles and interceptors. The realistic reading is that Riyadh, Ankara and Islamabad are each selling a different promise to a different domestic constituency. Also covered: why Egypt was blocked, why Qatar is the logical next entrant, and what an EU SAFE-style financing mechanism could unlock. The second half starts with news that stings. India has issued an RFI for up to 150 lead-in fighter trainers to replace its BAE Hawk Mk 132 fleet, with Leonardo's M-346FA, KAI's T-50, UAC's Yak-130 and the Boeing/Saab T-7A in the frame. The Pakistan Air Force has looked for a LIFT platform for nearly two decades and bought nothing. The hosts explain what a lead-in fighter trainer does, why the PAF's Super Mushshak to K-8 to FT-7P pipeline is dangerously ad hoc for a force discussing fifth-generation aircraft, and how the same drift cost Pakistan BriteCloud, the Grifo-E AESA radar, Elettronica's EW suite, Denel's missile know-how and a CAMM-ER-derived tri-service missile family. Then a long listener Q&A: Pakistan's missing tri-service C4ISR and the real limits of Link-17, Link Green, NIXUS and the Army's IBMS/IBFMS; whether Saudi financing could clear the German and consortium hurdles on a Eurofighter Typhoon buy the way Türkiye's order did; why the J-35 almost certainly locks the PAF into China's combat ecosystem; the PAF's evaluation graveyard since 1995, from the Mirage 2000-5 and Gripen to the Su-35, MiG-35, Tornado, JH-7, Rafale, Novi Avion and the Carver; FPV drones in the counterinsurgency fight; and India's move to continuous at-sea nuclear deterrence, the Nuclear Suppliers Group deadlock and Pakistan's uranium supply problem. Topics covered 00:35 The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement and the "Islamic NATO" label 04:24 SEATO, CENTO and alliances without a common enemy 12:34 The domestic audience theory 29:13 Egypt blocked, Qatar next 31:30 India's 150-aircraft lead-in fighter trainer RFI 34:07 What a LIFT is, and the PAF's broken training pipeline 46:18 CAMM-ER and the tri-service missile programme that never happened 49:47 Where China fits, and sovereign control of the stack 1:01:19 Link-17, Link Green and Pakistan's tri-service C4ISR gap 1:06:34 A Saudi-financed Eurofighter Typhoon: could it work? 1:20:03 The J-35 and Chinese ecosystem lock-in 1:23:30 PAF force development since 1995 1:42:20 Quadcopters and FPV drones in counterinsurgency 1:46:29 India's at-sea deterrent and Pakistan's SSN question 1:53:53 Gripen vs Typhoon as the F-16 replacement 1:57:45 Uranium supply, the NSG deadlock and a parallel nuclear market About Defence Uncut Defence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language Pakistani defence news and commentary podcast, hosted by Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan. We unpack Pakistani military procurements, events and broader strategic issues in focused detail so you can build a clearer, more accurate big picture. Read our full reporting at https://quwa.org. Quwa covers Pakistani, Turkish, Gulf and increasingly European and African defence markets, with a particular focus on drones, loitering munitions and low-cost approaches to weapons development. Email Bilal directly at bilal@quwa.org or contact@quwa.org.
S2 · E12
July 9 · 1 hr 14 min
What Replaces Pakistan's F-16s? J-35, New F-16s, or Something Else?
Pakistan is about to make its biggest fighter decision in a generation — and it starts with the F-16. The Pakistan Air Force's three F-16A/B Block-15 squadrons are scheduled to retire by 2040, a timeline all but confirmed by the $686 million U.S. support and upgrade deal signed in December 2025. That leaves one question hanging over the PAF's entire next procurement cycle: what actually replaces the F-16? Everyone points to the Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter. But as Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan explain, the J-35 stepping into that role is far from a given. The F-16 isn't just another jet in the fleet — it's the PAF's reliable, high-availability, NATO-interoperable workhorse, and whatever succeeds it has to fill a very specific "size of shoes." That keeps options on the table most people dismiss too quickly: new-build F-16 Block 72s, and even the Eurofighter Typhoon. Before that, the show opens on the news that kicked off the week — Azerbaijan showing off its newly inducted JF-17 Block III fleet: what the airframes reveal, the twin-seat JF-17B question, Turkish weapons integration, and what Baku's big-ticket contract is really paying for. Then it's into listener questions: the Typhoon vs J-35 vs F-16 debate in full, cost-per-flight-hour realities, the JH-7B and "Sea Sultan bomber" ideas, and a wide-ranging discussion on Pakistan's command structure, disaggregation, and the role of the new Chief of Defence Forces. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome & this week's topics 00:37 — Azerbaijan unveils its JF-17 Block III 05:10 — The twin-seat JF-17B explained 10:13 — What Azerbaijan's big contract is really paying for 13:58 — Listener Q&A: does the Typhoon actually replace the F-16? 26:14 — Typhoon vs J-35 vs new F-16: the full breakdown 51:47 — Cost-per-flight-hour realities & the PAF's budget 55:00 — Listener Q&A: command structure & disaggregation Go deeper on Quwa Why the PAF's next procurement cycle starts in 2030: https://quwa.org/pakistan/market-intelligence/the-pakistan-air-forces-next-procurement-cycle-starts-in-2030-why-vendors-need-to-prepare/ Inside the $686M F-16 upgrade deal: https://quwa.org/pakistan-air-force-news/why-the-u-s-just-approved-a-686m-f-16-upgrade-for-pakistan-12-11-2025/ What the reports say about Pakistan's J-35 deal: https://quwa.org/pakistan/air-force/combat-aircraft/what-the-reports-say-about-pakistans-j-35-stealth-fighter-deal/ About Defence Uncut Defence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language Pakistani defence news and commentary podcast, hosted by Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan. Each week we unpack Pakistani military procurements, events, and the broader strategic picture in focused detail — so you can build a clearer, more accurate understanding of South Asian air power. Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if you're enjoying it, a rating or review genuinely helps others find us. Questions or topic ideas? Email us at contact@quwa.org Read our analysis: https://quwa.org
S2 · E11
July 2 · 1 hr 27 min
Pakistan's F-16 Replacement, the Fatah-5 Mystery (SE2E11)
The Pakistan Air Force is entering its biggest procurement cycle since the 2010s, and the question that defines it is what replaces the ageing F-16 fleet in the 2030s. In this episode, Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan work through the three-way contest between China's J-35, Turkey's TF Kaan, and the Eurofighter Typhoon — why the PAF is wary of buying an all-Chinese system "out of the box," why it insists on controlling its own tactical data-link stack, and the contrarian argument for keeping the Typhoon firmly in the conversation. With no standout news this week, the discussion ranges widely across the Pakistani defence landscape: high-energy lasers and autonomous interceptors for counter-drone base defence, the Fatah-5 conventional ballistic missile and the Army Rocket Force Command, the KJ-500 AWACS rumour (and why the satellite photo is almost certainly a ZDK-03), and how commercial warship standards and modular hull design are reshaping the Pakistan Navy's surface fleet, from the Jinnah-class frigate to the Yarmook-class OPV. Topics: Pakistan Air Force modernization, F-16 replacement, J-35, TF Kaan, Eurofighter Typhoon, JF-17 Thunder, Fatah-5 and Fatah-2, Army Rocket Force Command, KJ-500, high-energy lasers, counter-drone/C-UAS, naval modularity, and South Asian air power. Defence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language Pakistani defence news and commentary podcast. Read our full analysis at quwa.org, and subscribe to Quwa Plus or Quwa Pro for our complete reporting. Questions or sample requests: bilal@quwa.org or contact@quwa.org.
S2 · E10
June 23 · 1 hr 6 min
Pakistan's Drone & Cruise Missile Surge — Copying Ukraine? | Defence Uncut S2E10
Pakistan has quietly started building the unglamorous parts of modern warfare — the engines, munitions and cheap cruise missiles that win a long fight. In this episode, Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan open with the Alsons Group's reveal of Pakistan's first home-built UAV engines at Eurosatory 2026 (via its new AKAL division), then dig into why the private sector is now central to Pakistan's loitering-munition push, and how the global move toward low-cost strike — the MBDA Crossbow, Russia's Banderol, the Powered JDAM — lines up with Pakistan's Fatah, Babur, Uzab and Khaem programs. In the solo Q&A, Bilal answers listener questions on how fast Pakistan can field robotic ground vehicles like the NRTC Heather UGV, the Western-insurgency vs Eastern-front split, and why Army Aviation might be Pakistan's most under-used branch — with a look at the Turkish Aerospace T625 Gökbey. In this episode: Alsons / AKAL UAV engines and the licensing-vs-indigenous debate Why Pakistan's military is roping in the private sector for drones and munitions Fibre optics, solid fuel and the case for mass over prestige projects The low-cost cruise-missile shift, from Crossbow to Fatah-4 NRTC Heather UGV and the limits of the Ukraine robotics model in Pakistan Army Aviation, the T625 Gökbey, and low-altitude cruise-missile strike Got a question for a future solo cast? Email contact@quwa.org or podcast@quwa.org.Read more analysis at https://quwa.org
S2 · E8
June 17 · 1 hr 3 min
Pakistan's $10.76B Defence Budget 2026 Decoded: PNS Hangor, Army Aviation & FCAS Collapse
Pakistan's defence budget for FY2026-27 has hit a record ~$10.76 billion — a near 18% increase and the largest in real dollar terms (almost 3 trillion rupees). But the headline number hides the real story: where is the money actually going, and why is it NOT the J-35 purchase everyone keeps asking about? In this episode of Defence Uncut, Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan decode the budget, the arrival of the first Hangor-class submarine, the quiet neglect of Pakistan Army Aviation, and the collapse of the Franco-German FCAS programme — the kind of in-focus analysis you won't get from a news headline. In this episode: - Why roughly 60-70% of the budget increase is likely heading into indigenous munitions and the Rocket Force, not big-ticket platforms — and why the rupee figure matters more than the dollar one. - The "physical assets" line jumping 39%, the tri-service split, and how acquisition vs operational budgets really work. - PNS Hangor arrives: the first of eight submarines from China, the YJ-18, torpedo economics, UUV/AUV programmes, and Pakistan's drive to indigenize naval weapons. - Pakistan Army Aviation's identity problem: the MI-17 loss, the collapsed T129 ATAK deal, the Z-10ME, and the case for consolidating the fleet into one 9-10 tonne utility platform. - Listener question: how Pakistan's electronic warfare actually works — threat libraries, jamming, and lessons from May 2025. - Listener question: how the Pakistan Navy can build a credible coastal missile force against the Indian Navy — supersonic/hypersonic missiles, over-the-horizon targeting, USVs, and satellites. - The FCAS collapse: could France now pivot to India to co-develop a sixth-generation fighter — and how India's three defence-industry camps shape that. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:26 Pakistan's record FY2026-27 defence budget 03:05 Indigenous munitions, the Rocket Force & the J-35 question 12:00 PNS Hangor arrives + the submarine programme 22:55 Submarine weapons: torpedoes, YJ-18 & indigenization 26:19 Private sector, UUVs & long-range torpedoes 28:27 Pakistan Army Aviation: the MI-17 loss & strategic neglect [VERIFY] Listener Q&A: electronic warfare explained [VERIFY] Listener Q&A: naval missiles & over-the-horizon targeting vs India [VERIFY] FCAS collapse — could France turn to India? Read the deeper written analysis on Quwa: https://quwa.org Follow Defence Uncut so you never miss an episode, and leave a rating if you find the analysis useful. About the show: Defence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language Pakistani defence news and commentary podcast, hosted by Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan of Quwa. Each week we unpack military procurements, events, and strategic issues across Pakistan, South Asia, and the wider region in focused detail — so you can build a clearer, more accurate big picture.
June 8 · 1 hr 31 min
Pakistan Has a Strategy Problem, Not a Money Problem
Is India really buying the Russian Su-57 "Felon"? Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan open by unpacking why the India–Russia FGFA program collapsed after nearly two decades, why Moscow's new offer is suddenly so generous, and why the Su-57-vs-Rafale fight is driven by industrial revenue-share politics as much as by capability. The conversation then widens into the real lesson of the JF-17 — the RD-93 engine, dependence on China, the PLAAF order that never came, the markups that forced Pakistan to build its own munitions, the true cost of CPEC, and why Ukraine is the partnership model Pakistan should have pursued years ago. It closes on the strategic stakes of India's looming nuclear breakout and a look ahead to Woot-Tech's rocket-assisted-takeoff test. ⏱️ Chapters00:00 Is India actually procuring the Su-57?00:30 The FGFA saga: two decades of Russia–India fifth-gen failure17:06 Why Russia needs India now (Ukraine, sanctions, co-production)20:30 Rafale vs Su-57: the IAF vs Indian-industry split23:30 What Pakistan should do: Beijing, Moscow & rare-earth leverage24:30 Russia vs Ukraine, from first principles26:19 The JF-17 / RD-93 engine and Pakistan's Ukraine workaround29:34 China isn't charity: who really profits from the JF-1736:05 The 200-jet PLAAF order that never came42:29 Egregious markups: the Range Extension Kit & MFD shakedowns45:00 NESCOM, the Air Weapons Complex & the Azb/Raad family46:18 CPEC, debt servicing and where Pakistan's money goes53:26 The China that used to help — and why it changed1:01:43 Ayub Khan, the 1960s nuclear fuel cycle & the mindset trap1:09:11 Ukraine's hidden industrial base and Firepoint1:19:49 Prioritising Ukraine without antagonising Russia1:22:14 India's nuclear breakout and global strike1:29:33 Next week: Woot-Tech's RATO test & Pakistan's private rocket sector 📖 Mentioned: Mansoor Ahmed, Pakistan's Pathway to the Bomb.🔗 More analysis at quwa.org Defence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language Pakistani defence commentary podcast. New episodes weekly.
May 31 · 1 hr 12 min
Russia’s Air Defence Deal With the Taliban — and Pakistan’s Policy Failure | Defence Uncut
Russia has reportedly agreed to supply and help maintain air defence systems for the Afghan Taliban. But as Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan explain, the real danger isn't to Pakistan's fighter jets — it's the proliferation of MANPADS across the region, and the policy failures that allowed it. This episode unpacks the reported Russia–Taliban air defence deal, why loose MANPADS are a bigger threat than any S-400, and how Pakistan's tightrope act between Russia and Ukraine cost it a reliable defence partner. The conversation then moves through the latest PAF developments — Saab 2000 / Erieye AEW&C, the PFX Alpha program and JF-17 AESA roadmap, the air-cooled vs liquid-cooled KLJ-7A debate, NESCOM's FAAZ missile family, and loyal wingman UCAVs — before closing on the case for a national-interest foreign policy, including a hard look at Iran. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:23 Russia's reported air defence deal with the Taliban 06:28 Why MANPADS proliferation is the real regional threat 10:57 Pakistan's Russia-vs-Ukraine policy failure 24:31 MANPADS, the TTP/BLA, and Chinese export controls 26:37 Red lines, national interest & the Gulf energy play 30:03 PAF Saab 2000 update & a domestic AEW&C ambition 35:41 PFX Alpha program & the JF-17 OCU upgrade 37:53 Air-cooled vs liquid-cooled KLJ-7A 43:10 NESCOM's FAAZ air-to-air & surface-to-air missile programs 52:52 Loyal wingman UCAVs — answering the audience pushback 1:01:28 Your comments: Kızılelma and the Iran question 1:03:46 Why Iran is treated as an adversary, not an ally 1:09:03 Closing argument: pursue the national interest Defence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language Pakistani defence commentary podcast, breaking down military procurement, events, and strategy in focused detail. Read more analysis at Quwa: https://quwa.org Go deeper with Quwa Plus: https://quwa.org/plus Leave your questions and comments — we get to them in the next episode.
S2 · E6
May 25 · 1 hr 34 min
Will the PAF Buy the Kızılelma? Baykar, Engine Risks, and Pakistan's UCAV Roadmap
Pakistan Air Force Chief ACM Zaheer Babar Sidhu visited Baykar Technologies in Turkey and was photographed with the Bayraktar Kızılelma — a jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that could reshape how the PAF approaches deep strike, loyal wingman operations, and force structure planning. In this episode, Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan go deep on what this visit signals and — more importantly — what comes next. We break down the Kızılelma's capabilities and limitations, compare it with TAI's Anka-3, dig into the Ukrainian engine supply chain problem (AI-25 / AI-322), and explore whether Baykar's Pakistan subsidiary could co-develop a sovereign sensor and datalink stack with NASTP. We also examine the gap nobody is filling: the 2–3 ton attritable UCAV class that the US (MQ-Next, XQ-58 Valkyrie), and potentially NESCOM, are pursuing. Plus — could the Pakistan Navy one day operate its own UCAV-based strike wing? Other topics: Akinci UAV shoot-down in Sudan, Saab's LoyalEye AEW pod on MQ-9B, PFX as a potential unmanned fighter program, and why the PAF's "original solutions" doctrine matters for long-term sovereignty. New episodes weekly. Full articles at quwa.org.
S2 · E5
May 18 · 1 hr 23 min
Fatah IV Air Burst Test, JF-17 Block 4 & Why PAF Training Matters More Than J-35s | Defence Uncut S2E05
Pakistan's Army Rocket Force Command tested the Fatah IV ground-launched cruise missile with an air burst warhead and new imaging infrared seeker — the latest step in Pakistan's conventional deterrence build-up. Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan unpack what the Fatah IV's evolution from the Harba series means for mass production and scalability, then dive into the Z-10ME attack helicopter's millimetric wave radar evaluation and what it signals about Army Aviation's procurement timeline. The episode also covers JF-17 Block 3 production realities, the case for Block 4/PFX Alpha as the JF-17's final evolution, and why the PAF's ageing T-37 and K-8 training pipeline may be a more urgent priority than fifth-generation fighter procurement. In the Q&A segment: the Link 17 data link controversy (can AWACS guide PL-15 missiles?), BrahMos countermeasures, whether Pakistan should repurpose the JF-17 as a LIFT platform, the J-35 timeline, and the future size of the PAF fighter fleet. Published by Quwa (quwa.org) — the first English-language Pakistan defence analysis publication. Questions: podcast@quwa.org
S1 · E4
May 11 · 1 hr 10 min
Pakistan's New Missiles, Drones & Fighter Jets — One Year After the India Conflict
One year after the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan's military procurement picture has fundamentally changed. In this episode, Bilal Khan, Arslan Khan, and Aseem break down the full scope of Pakistan's post-conflict military modernization — from the FATA-3 supersonic cruising missile to Shahed-style drone factories, the Army Rocket Force Command, PAF fighter fleet expansion, satellite reconnaissance, and the decision-making challenge that will determine whether any of it matters. Topics covered: — FATA-3 supersonic cruising missile and its HD-1 connection — Army Rocket Force Command: structure, mandate, and multimodal strike concept — FATA missile family breakdown (FATA-1 guided MLRS, FATA-2 tactical ballistic, FATA-3 supersonic cruiser, FATA-4 cruise missile) — Pakistan Navy supersonic missile requirements (CM-302, SMASH) — Shahed-style loitering munition mass production strategy — Jet-powered vs piston-powered drones: why simplicity wins — Turkish drone industry critique and Baykar in Pakistan — Pakistan Army counter-UAS programs and electronic warfare investment — Z-10ME attack helicopter and the future of army aviation — PAF fighter procurement: J-10, JF-17, and the J-35 question — Fifth-generation fighter timing: J-35, TFX/KAAN, and the KF-21 dark horse — RAAD cruise missile reconfiguration for conventional strike and anti-ship roles — Pakistan's satellite and ISTAR buildup (EO, SAR, hyperspectral) — Kill chain closure: satellites vs munitions stockpiles — Lessons learned: decision-making speed, pre-delegated authority, and Pakistan's shift from defensive to offensive posture Defence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language Pakistani defence news commentary podcast. Fo
S2 · E1
May 4 · 1 hr 22 min
Hangor Submarine Commissioned, Fatah-II Training Launch, and Pakistan's EO Satellite Constellation Completed
The Pakistan Navy commissions PNS/M Hangor — the first of eight Hangor-class (S26) AIP submarines derived from China's Yuan-class (Type 039B). We trace the programme from the collapsed Type 214 deal with TKMS through to the current dual-submarine strategy, and discuss how the fleet will reshape Pakistan's maritime posture in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. We also cover the Babur-class corvette and Jinnah-class frigate armament debate, the SMASH anti-ship ballistic missile and Taimoor AS cruise missile tests, the Army Rocket Force Command's first Fatah-II training launch, the Pakistan Army's emerging precision-fire and precision-strike doctrine — including the Nishana PGK, PAKFIRE, and the new Integrated Battlefield Management System — and SUPARCO's PRSC-EO3 satellite completing Pakistan's electro-optical imaging constellation.
S2 · E2
April 13 · 1 hr 7 min
Islamabad Talks Collapse: Pakistan's Role in the Iran-US War and the Gulf Security Premium
The Islamabad talks between the US and Iran ended without an agreement after 21 hours — but the breakdown reveals more than the headlines suggest. In this episode, Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan analyse what the Islamabad negotiations mean for Pakistan's position in the Iran-US war. They examine why the US wanted to establish contact with the IRGC's post-decapitation leadership, why the nuclear issue was only part of the sticking point, and why Pakistan's proposal for joint naval patrols of the Strait of Hormuz could reshape the region's security architecture. The episode covers Iran's asymmetric cost strategy and what Pakistan's military can learn from its mosaic defence doctrine, the case for devolving combat authority down to corps and brigade level, Pakistan Navy's geographic advantage in the Arabian Sea, and the argument that Pakistan has been systematically undercharging the Gulf for its security services. Bilal and Arslan lay out a detailed framework for how Pakistan could position itself as the region's primary security guarantor — from joint F-16 squadrons stationed in Saudi Arabia and Pakistani-operated drone interceptor production lines, to Chinese surplus air defence stockpiles channelled through Pakistan to Gulf buyers. They also discuss the structural failure of the Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Defence Agreement and what needs to change to make it operational. Defence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language Pakistani defence podcast. New episodes weekly. Website: quwa.org | Twitter/X: @quwagroup
S2 · E1
April 3 · 1 hr 8 min
What the US-Iran War Reveals About Loitering Munitions, Ballistic Missiles, and Pakistan's Naval Future
Defence Uncut is back for Season 2. In this premiere episode, Bilal Khan and Arslan Khan examine the operational lessons emerging from the US-Iran war and what they mean for Pakistan's defence planning. The discussion covers three interconnected areas: the proven value of low-cost Shahed-class loitering munitions — including why the design succeeded where more complex systems have failed, and what Pakistan's own drone industry can replicate. The more limited returns from Iran's ballistic missile investments — where the 'fear factor' is real but the physical degradation has been minimal. And the naval dynamics of the Strait of Hormuz crisis — particularly what Iran's failure to get its submarines and warships out of port before they were destroyed signals for the Pakistan Navy's own submarine and surface fleet strategy. We also discuss the counter-drone problem — from high-powered microwave emitters to Ukraine's kinetic Sting interceptors to an unconventional concept involving low-cost experimental jet UAVs for persistent airborne patrols. And we close with the case for a multinational missile consortium among Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia — what Arslan calls an 'Eastern MBDA' — to solve the production scale and stockpile depth challenge that this war has made impossible to ignore. For deeper analysis beyond the podcast, subscribe to Quwa Plus at https://quwa.org/quwa-premium/plus — two South Asia-focused defence analysis articles per week, 10 years of the Quwa Premium archive, and our new Pulse Check podcast on the institutions and policy behind Pakistan's defence decisions. Questions or topic suggestions? Email contact@quwa.org
S1 · E18
Oct 9, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Decoding the US AMRAAM Deal for Pakistan's F-16s
A quiet update to a US Department of Defense contract has added Pakistan to a list of nations slated to receive the advanced AIM-120C8/D AMRAAM, the most capable air-to-air missile in the US export inventory. In this episode, we unpack what this administrative move truly signifies for the Pakistan Air Force. We explain why this is not yet a finalized sale and break down the intricate political and industrial tracks of the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process that must be navigated before any missiles are delivered. Furthermore, we analyze the significant capability boost the AIM-120C8/D offers and discuss whether this development could be a precursor to a major upgrade for the PAF's existing F-16s, or perhaps even a landmark deal for new-build F-16 Block 72 fighters.
S1 · E17
Oct 7, 2025 · 45 min
The Pakistan-Saudi Defense Pact: A US Plan to Reshape Two Regions?
In this episode of Defense Uncut, hosts Bilal Khan and Aseem Islam analyze the new Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The discussion moves beyond surface-level speculation, such as claims of a "nuclear umbrella," which the hosts argue would be highly destabilizing and unacceptable to the United States. Instead, they propose the agreement was likely signed with Washington's knowledge, if not at its recommendation. The core of the analysis suggests the pact is a key component of a broader US strategy to disengage from the Middle East in order to focus on China. This move aims to pacify two contentious regions—the Middle East and South Asia—in a single, cost-effective maneuver.
S1 · E16
Sep 22, 2025 · 34 min
India's 114 Rafale Plan: Why It's a Worrying Sign for the Pakistan Air Force
This week on Defence Uncut, we dive deep into the reports that the Indian Air Force is pushing to acquire another 114 Dassault Rafale fighters. Is this a strategic masterstroke to consolidate the IAF's power, or an overreaction to Pakistan's potential acquisition of the J-35 stealth fighter? Join us as we analyze why this is far more than a platform-vs-platform debate. We break down the critical advantages India holds in its domestic aerospace industry, how a consolidated Rafale and Tejas fleet presents a significant challenge to the PAF, and why Pakistan's focus must shift from matching numbers to strengthening its own network-centric systems and industrial base. Defence Uncut is the first dedicated English-language podcast for Pakistani defence commentary. Find more of our analysis at Quwa.org.
S1 · E15
Sep 17, 2025 · 51 min
Unpacking Pakistan's Low-Key PIESAT Satellite Deal with China
Pakistan has signed a $406 million deal with China's PIESAT for a constellation of 20+ advanced imaging satellites, a move with massive strategic implications. In this episode, we analyze how this provides the critical situational awareness needed for the new Army Rocket Force Command (ARFC) , why the deal was signed by the Ministry of Food Security instead of SUPARCO , and how it paves the way for a sovereign, dual-use space industry decoupled from previous constraints. We break down the technology, the military doctrine, and the future of Pakistan's ambitions in space.
S1 · E14
Sep 9, 2025 · 1 hr 48 min
China's New Hypersonic Missiles, Stealth Drones & Next-Gen SAMs
China's 2025 Victory Day Parade sent a clear message to the world: its military technology is now at the cutting edge. In this episode, we unpack the most significant weapon systems unveiled, from the highly agile HHQ-9C surface-to-air missile to the game-changing YJ-19 hypersonic cruise missile and a new family of stealth combat drones (UCAVs). Aerospace engineer Aseem ul-Islam and Quwa's Bilal Khan analyze the engineering behind these platforms, their strategic purpose, and their potential availability for export to countries like Pakistan. We also explore China's advancements in counter-drone lasers, unmanned turret tanks, and anti-ship ballistic missiles. The episode concludes with an in-depth Q&A session, answering listener questions on everything from Pakistan's air defence strategy to the future of its defence industry. Learn More:For more in-depth analysis, visit our website at https://www.quwa.org. Get Involved:To submit a question for our next episode, subscribe to our YouTube channel at 'Quwa Group' and look for our community posts. You can also send feedback to podcast@quwa.org.
S1 · E13
Sep 4, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
22 Years and 100,000+ Sorties Later, How Has the JF-17 Thunder Fared?
The story of the JF-17 Thunder is often told as a manufacturing achievement, but its true genius lies in the strategic doctrine behind it. This episode is a deep-dive analysis of how the Pakistan Air Force, forged by decades of Western sanctions, developed a pragmatic and resilient program to ensure its strategic independence. With aviation historians Usman Shabir and Yawar Mazhar, we explore the key decisions -- like decoupling the airframe and avionics -- that allowed the project to succeed where others, like India's Tejas, stumbled. This is not just the history of a fighter jet; it's a case study in how to build real capability against all odds.
S1 · E12
Aug 26, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
Unpacking the Pakistan Army's New Rocket Force Command
In this laser-focused episode of Defence Uncut, we dive deep into the establishment of the Pakistan Army's new Rocket Force Command. We analyze the strategic drivers behind its creation, exploring the pattern of escalating conflict with India and the need to build a robust conventional deterrence below the nuclear threshold. Hosted by Bilal Khan with guest Aseem ul-Islam, we discuss how this new force signals a doctrinal shift towards preemption and developing an organic strike capability independent of the Pakistan Air Force. We also tackle the critical question of industrial capacity: can Pakistan's production base, traditionally geared for a small number of strategic assets, scale up to produce the thousands of missiles required for sustained conventional conflict? We argue that the only path to success lies in a radical overhaul, moving mass production to a competitive private sector while state-owned entities focus on pure R&D. Plus, we round up the week's key defence news, including India's latest order for Tejas fighters, Japan's testing of Turkish drones, and a look at a new Chinese helicopter that bears a striking resemblance to the S-97 Raider.

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