Pakistan secured second place at the Best International Military Drone Team Competition 2026 (BIMDTC-2026) held in Ankara on 24 October 2026, the Turkish embassy in Islamabad and Turkish media reported. The event, described by Türkiye Today as the first competition of its kind, drew teams from 33 countries.
“Congratulations to the Turkish team for securing 1st place and Pakistan for achieving 2nd place at the Best International Military Drone Team Competition 2026 (BIMDTC-2026) in Ankara, bringing together competitors from 33 different countries,” the Turkish embassy in Islamabad said on X.
Competition structure and results
Türkiye took first place, Pakistan finished second, Italy third and France fourth, according to Türkiye Today. Each participating nation could register a team of up to three personnel, with at least two First-Person View (FPV) pilots drawn from active duty or reserve military ranks. Teams qualified for the final on the basis of course times, with winners decided on speed, precision and manoeuvring through obstacle courses.
- Host nation: Türkiye — first place.
- Pakistan: second place, with strong team performance in course times and precision flying.
- Participation: 33 nations entered the competition.
Technical and strategic context
The competition result is notable to Indian defence readers because Pakistan has increasingly relied on drones in recent conflicts. Reuters reported Pakistan’s use of Turkish-origin YIHA-III and Asisguard Songar drones, alongside the domestically produced Shahpar-II unmanned aerial vehicle made by Global Industrial & Defense Solutions, during the brief hostilities with India in May 2025. The Ankara competition and the Turkish embassy’s public congratulations underline growing military ties between Islamabad and Ankara.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Best International Military Drone Team Competition 2026 (BIMDTC-2026) |
| Date | 24 October 2026 (Ankara) |
| Participants | 33 nations |
| Top four | 1. Türkiye; 2. Pakistan; 3. Italy; 4. France |
Turkish and Pakistani officials have in recent months sought closer defence collaboration, and the two countries concluded a trilateral defence pact with Saudi Arabia in August 2026. The BIMDTC-2026 result, together with Pakistan’s prior operational employment of drones as reported by Reuters, may be read by defence professionals as an indicator of improved tactical proficiency among Pakistani UAS crews. The competition itself emphasised pilot skill in FPV operations, obstacle navigation and timed runs rather than weapons employment.
No Indian official reaction to Pakistan’s placing at the competition was published in the reports cited. The Turkish embassy framed the outcome as a testament to skill and precision across the participating militaries.
