# Sudan’s Safaroog drone debuts at IDEF 2025

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2025/07/sudans-safaroog-owa-uav-debuts-at-idef-2025/
- Published: 2025-07-29T21:06:17+01:00
- Author: Kazim Abdul

At the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025, held in Istanbul from July
22 to 27, Sudan’s Military Industry Corporation (MIC) unveiled its latest advancement
in unmanned aerial technology: the Safaroog one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV).

This presentation marked a notable moment for Sudan, showcasing its growing expertise
in producing sophisticated military systems on an international stage. Designed 
for single-mission strikes, the Safaroog reflects Sudan’s response to the evolving
demands of modern warfare, particularly within the context of its ongoing internal
conflict and the broader regional interest it has garnered. The Safaroog measures
2.88 meters in length and 0.91 meters in height, with a wingspan of 3.3 meters.

It is powered by a 342 cc gasoline engine that drives a two-blade pusher propeller,
enabling a cruising speed of 160 kilometres per hour and a maximum speed of 200 
kilometres per hour. Its operational range extends from 300 to 600 kilometres, and
it can remain airborne for 2.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on its configuration. The
UAV cruises at an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) and can climb to a ceiling
of 15,000 feet (4,572 meters). With a maximum take-off weight of 120 kilograms, 
it offers flexibility in payload and fuel combinations: it can carry 40 kilograms
with 16 litres of fuel, 30 kilograms with 25 litres, or 20 kilograms with 40 litres.
Launch options include a catapult for lighter loads or a pneumatic launcher for 
heavier configurations, making it adaptable to various operational needs.

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Equipped with a modestly advanced technology, the Safaroog features a SNAP-5 artificial
intelligence-based autopilot, integrating global navigation satellite services (
GNSS) and an inertial navigation system (INS). It also includes an anti-jamming 
spoofing algorithm to counter electronic warfare threats, ensuring reliable performance
in contested environments.

The UAV’s communication range reaches 600 kilometres, and its terminal attack angle
exceeds 60 degrees, delivering a precision strike capability with a circular error
probable of less than 10 meters. According to an MIC representative, the Safaroog
is already in service with the Sudanese military, and there is reported interest
from Middle Eastern countries, though specific nations were not named. This operational
status and international curiosity suggest that the UAV could serve both domestic
needs and potential export markets. The emergence of UAVs—ranging from short- and
long-range reconnaissance models to attack and suicide variants—has [transformed modern battlefields,](https://www.military.africa/2025/06/drones-in-the-sudanese-war/)
posing new challenges to ground forces tasked with protecting vital infrastructure.

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In Sudan, this shift has been particularly evident as the conflict between the Sudanese
Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has evolved into a domain 
heavily reliant on [aerial capabilities](https://www.military.africa/2023/04/sudans-small-but-deadly-drone-fleet-could-turn-the-tide-of-war/).
Following the SAF’s recapture of key areas such as Khartoum and Al-Jazirah State,
the RSF has turned to[ loitering and swarming UAVs,](https://www.military.africa/2024/10/swarm-drones-a-new-phase-in-the-sudan-conflict/)
reportedly launched from Nyala, to strike strategic targets like airports and command
centres. These “strategic” UAVs, capable of extended flight times and precise attacks,
have pushed both sides to rethink their air defence approaches. The Safaroog is 
not Sudan’s first venture into indigenous UAV technology. In 2023, the MIC introduced
the[ Kamin-25 loitering munition](https://www.military.africa/2023/03/sudans-mic-unveils-kamin-25-uav-launched-loitering-munition/)
at the IDEX show in Abu Dhabi.

Designed to be launched from a UAV like the Z3-M, which can carry two Kamin-25s 
with their wings rotated 90 degrees along their bodies until release, this system
underwent testing by the Sudanese Air Force, with final acceptance tests planned
for May of that year. However, the ongoing conflict has slowed further progress 
on such projects. Despite these challenges, the Safaroog’s debut at IDEF 2025 demonstrates
Sudan’s determination to advance its domestic production capabilities, reducing 
dependence on foreign suppliers like Iran and China, whose drones have played a 
role in the country’s military operations for years. The conflict’s aerial dimension
has also seen the RSF employ the [Groza-S electronic warfare system](https://www.military.africa/2025/01/sudanese-rebels-field-belarusian-groza-s-ew-system/),
developed by Belarus’s KB Radar, to counter UAV threats.

This system was recently captured by the SAF at a major RSF base north of Khartoum,
where SAF Commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan inspected a burned-out van equipped
with mast-mounted antennas matching those publicised by Belarus in 2020. The presence
of such technology on the battlefield illustrates the escalating technological arms
race between the warring factions, with UAVs and their countermeasures becoming 
central to the struggle. Sudan’s investment in systems like the Safaroog reflects
a broader strategic need. The country’s small but effective fleet of Chinese and
Iranian-made drones has already demonstrated the potential to alter the course of
its prolonged conflict with various rebel groups. Iran, in particular, has been 
a key supplier, bolstering Sudan’s drone capabilities over several years.

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Yet, the Safaroog offers a homegrown alternative, potentially lowering costs and
enhancing self-reliance. Its precision, range, and adaptability make it a valuable
asset for the SAF, whether for offensive strikes or maintaining control over contested
regions. The unveiling of the Safaroog OWA UAV at IDEF 2025 carries implications
beyond Sudan’s borders.

The Middle Eastern interest reported by the MIC hints at export possibilities, positioning
Sudan as an emerging player in the regional defence market. On the global stage,
the UAV’s one-way attack design aligns with a growing trend toward cost-effective,
high-impact systems that minimise risks to manned aircraft. For Sudan, the Safaroog
represents both a practical tool in its ongoing war and a symbol of its technological
ambition. As the conflict continues to drive innovation, this UAV could prove instrumental
in shaping the future of Sudan’s military strategy and its standing in the international
defence community.

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