Cutting-edge navigation system demonstrates “high positioning accuracy and integrated route determination”
Suparco. PHOTO: PTV
Pakistan successfully launched a new navigation device, ‘Pak-SBAS’, during the Cholistan Rally 2026, based on an advanced satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) navigation device, marking what it described as a milestone in navigation technology, according to a press release issued on Sunday.
In the press release, SUPARCO said, “The ‘Pak-SBAS’, based on the concept of Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), achieves a new milestone in navigation technology at the Cholistan Rally 2026.”
The statement said the advanced device was tested in the harsh conditions of the Cholistan desert, where high speeds, unpredictable routes and lack of visual cues require extremely precise positioning and unwavering reliability.
Pak-SBAS demonstrated “high positioning accuracy, integrated route determination and signal stability” throughout all phases of the rally. “By using SBAS corrections, the system significantly reduced positioning errors compared to standard GNSS,” the release said.
He added that the technology provides rally drivers and navigation teams with reliable route tracking, calling it “a key element for competitive desert racing.”
Read: Pakistan successfully launches its second indigenous Earth observation satellite
The press release added that the Pak-SBAS has far-reaching implications for public interest and national infrastructure: “It will help improve disaster relief operations through accurate tracking of rescue teams and affected areas, improve transportation efficiency through vehicle positioning, and ensure safer navigation in the aviation sector.”
In the field of surveying and mapping, the system will not only reduce positioning errors but also reduce project costs, the release said.
This advanced system is expected to play an important role in enhancing public safety, operational efficiency and technological autonomy in Pakistan.
On February 12, Pakistan marked a milestone in its space program with the successful launch of its second Earth observation satellite (EO-2) from China’s Yangjiang Seashore Launch Center.
Also developed by SUPARCO, the EO-2 satellite is expected to enhance Pakistan’s Earth observation capabilities, providing high-resolution imagery for critical applications such as national development planning, natural resource management and environmental monitoring.
The successful development and launch of EO-2 highlights Pakistan’s growing technical expertise and self-reliance in advanced satellite technology, marking a key milestone in the country’s space journey.
