Sudan Signals Modern Combat Readiness with Debut of Safaroog Kamikaze Drone at IDEF 2025
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At the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Istanbul, Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation (MIC) revealed its new one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (OWA-UAV), the Safaroog. Designed for precision strikes against ground targets, this kamikaze drone marks Sudan’s formal entry into the growing club of nations fielding loitering munitions. As military UAVs redefine modern battlefields, MIC’s move is more than a product showcase, it’s a strategic message. The debut reflects both industrial maturity and a clear military-technological direction for Sudan.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
With the public debut of the Safaroog kamikaze drone at IDEF 2025, Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation signals a new chapter in its defense strategy and industrial capability (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The Safaroog is a single-engine, one-way attack drone powered by a 342cc dual-blade gasoline engine. With a wingspan of 3.38 meters and a total length of 2.88 meters, the airframe supports payloads of up to 40 kg depending on configuration, offering variants at 20 kg and 30 kg. It cruises at 160 km/h, reaching a maximum speed of 200 km/h, with a ceiling of 15,000 feet and endurance between 4 to 4.5 hours. Operational range spans 300 to 600 km, making it adaptable for both tactical and strategic missions. The drone is guided by the SNAP-5 AI-based autopilot and GNSS/INS navigation, with anti-jamming and electronic warfare resilience capabilities. The Safaroog is designed for launch via catapult or pneumatic systems and features a terminal attack angle exceeding 60 degrees, enabling precise high-angle strikes against targets from above.
The Safaroog represents a significant step for the Sudanese defense industry, both in capability and ambition. While Sudan has long maintained military production through its MIC network, this is among the first major publicized entries into loitering munition systems. Developed likely in response to regional drone proliferation and shifting combat dynamics observed in conflicts like Libya and Ethiopia, the Safaroog’s unveiling at IDEF 2025, one of the most prominent Eurasian defense platforms, suggests a calculated effort to gain visibility in both African and international UAV markets. The airframe design and specifications reflect influence from contemporary kamikaze drones used in Ukraine and the Caucasus, showing how Sudan is integrating battlefield lessons into indigenous solutions.
Compared to other loitering munitions like Iran’s Shahed-136 or Turkey’s Kargu, the Safaroog offers similar cruise speed and range while providing greater endurance and payload flexibility. The use of a 16-liter or 20-liter fuel capacity, modular payload configurations, and robust GPS/INS navigation with AI-assisted autopilot gives it a distinct edge in adaptability and precision. Its anti-jamming feature positions it better against modern electronic warfare environments, addressing a key vulnerability in many commercially modified drones. While it remains unclear whether Sudan has combat-tested the platform, a terminal attack angle greater than 60 degrees indicates the potential for high-angle or near-vertical attacks similar to Switchblade drones, improving its effectiveness against armored and fortified target.
The launch of the Safaroog highlights a notable shift in Sudan’s military doctrine and defense exports policy. On the geopolitical level, it reflects MIC’s intent to present Sudan as a capable defense manufacturer beyond small arms and armored vehicles. With loitering munitions playing decisive roles in asymmetric warfare, as seen in Ukraine, Gaza, and the Red Sea region, the Safaroog allows Sudan to position itself as both a regional drone power and potential arms supplier to other non-Western aligned countries. Militarily, it diversifies the country’s options for strike missions, particularly in contested airspaces or denied environments where conventional aircraft may be vulnerable or unavailable.
With the public debut of the Safaroog kamikaze drone at IDEF 2025, Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation signals a new chapter in its defense strategy and industrial capability. Designed with tactical flexibility, precision strike capability, and operational endurance, the system aligns with the global trend toward autonomous and expendable airpower. More than just a drone, Safaroog marks Sudan’s arrival in the strategic landscape of modern UAV warfare.
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At the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Istanbul, Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation (MIC) revealed its new one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (OWA-UAV), the Safaroog. Designed for precision strikes against ground targets, this kamikaze drone marks Sudan’s formal entry into the growing club of nations fielding loitering munitions. As military UAVs redefine modern battlefields, MIC’s move is more than a product showcase, it’s a strategic message. The debut reflects both industrial maturity and a clear military-technological direction for Sudan.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
With the public debut of the Safaroog kamikaze drone at IDEF 2025, Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation signals a new chapter in its defense strategy and industrial capability (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The Safaroog is a single-engine, one-way attack drone powered by a 342cc dual-blade gasoline engine. With a wingspan of 3.38 meters and a total length of 2.88 meters, the airframe supports payloads of up to 40 kg depending on configuration, offering variants at 20 kg and 30 kg. It cruises at 160 km/h, reaching a maximum speed of 200 km/h, with a ceiling of 15,000 feet and endurance between 4 to 4.5 hours. Operational range spans 300 to 600 km, making it adaptable for both tactical and strategic missions. The drone is guided by the SNAP-5 AI-based autopilot and GNSS/INS navigation, with anti-jamming and electronic warfare resilience capabilities. The Safaroog is designed for launch via catapult or pneumatic systems and features a terminal attack angle exceeding 60 degrees, enabling precise high-angle strikes against targets from above.
The Safaroog represents a significant step for the Sudanese defense industry, both in capability and ambition. While Sudan has long maintained military production through its MIC network, this is among the first major publicized entries into loitering munition systems. Developed likely in response to regional drone proliferation and shifting combat dynamics observed in conflicts like Libya and Ethiopia, the Safaroog’s unveiling at IDEF 2025, one of the most prominent Eurasian defense platforms, suggests a calculated effort to gain visibility in both African and international UAV markets. The airframe design and specifications reflect influence from contemporary kamikaze drones used in Ukraine and the Caucasus, showing how Sudan is integrating battlefield lessons into indigenous solutions.
Compared to other loitering munitions like Iran’s Shahed-136 or Turkey’s Kargu, the Safaroog offers similar cruise speed and range while providing greater endurance and payload flexibility. The use of a 16-liter or 20-liter fuel capacity, modular payload configurations, and robust GPS/INS navigation with AI-assisted autopilot gives it a distinct edge in adaptability and precision. Its anti-jamming feature positions it better against modern electronic warfare environments, addressing a key vulnerability in many commercially modified drones. While it remains unclear whether Sudan has combat-tested the platform, a terminal attack angle greater than 60 degrees indicates the potential for high-angle or near-vertical attacks similar to Switchblade drones, improving its effectiveness against armored and fortified target.
The launch of the Safaroog highlights a notable shift in Sudan’s military doctrine and defense exports policy. On the geopolitical level, it reflects MIC’s intent to present Sudan as a capable defense manufacturer beyond small arms and armored vehicles. With loitering munitions playing decisive roles in asymmetric warfare, as seen in Ukraine, Gaza, and the Red Sea region, the Safaroog allows Sudan to position itself as both a regional drone power and potential arms supplier to other non-Western aligned countries. Militarily, it diversifies the country’s options for strike missions, particularly in contested airspaces or denied environments where conventional aircraft may be vulnerable or unavailable.
With the public debut of the Safaroog kamikaze drone at IDEF 2025, Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation signals a new chapter in its defense strategy and industrial capability. Designed with tactical flexibility, precision strike capability, and operational endurance, the system aligns with the global trend toward autonomous and expendable airpower. More than just a drone, Safaroog marks Sudan’s arrival in the strategic landscape of modern UAV warfare.
