“Our Chinese friends even want to know the operational details. How we did it,” said a source privy to the development.
When India inducted Rafale jets into its air force, Pakistan lost the “first shot” capability and the PAF was cognizant of the fact. The Operation Swift Retort in February 2019 in response to India’s Balakot strikes was perhaps the last conventional battle and dogfight.
Even at that time PAF showed glimpses of its prowess in the electromagnetic sphere when it jammed Indian Mig-21, making it difficult to escape the kill. But still the PAF was far from possessing the technology to excel in multi domain.
The induction of J10-C was Pakistan’s response to India’s Rafael but that was not enough.
The paradigm shift came after Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar took charge of the PAF in March 2021. He had envisioned that the future wars would no longer be conventional and hence he had started working on the idea of multi domain.
A “multi-domain” refers to operations that integrate and synchronise capabilities across multiple warfare domains to achieve mission objectives.
The key domains are: traditional aircraft-based operations, ii) land – coordination with ground forces, iii) sea – involving naval power, iv) space – satellites, missile warning, navigation (GPS), and communications, v) cyber – digital warfare, including network defense and offensive cyber operations, vi) Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) – jamming, electronic warfare, and signal disruption.
The PAF multi-domain operation encompasses real-time imagery, cyber units disabling enemy radar, drones providing surveillance and fighter jets launching precision strikes.
“All while being coordinated through secure, networked communications,” said the source.
“In the modern warfare you may have many toys but there is no use of those toys if they don’t talk to each other,” according to the source.
For example, Pakistan has acquired radars from different countries. Integration of those technologies that have different origins was an uphill task.
The source said what the PAF did was that it developed an indigenous Data Link that integrated all these systems.
Under the modernisation plan, the PAF established the PAF Cyber Command (PAFCC) and the PAF Space Command (PAFSC) in Islamabad. The PAF also created the NASTP (National Aerospace Science & Technology Park) which has become a hub for various indigenous programs.
On the night of April 28 and 29, the PAF high command was on high alert. At the Command Operation Center (COC), the integrated system was put to test for the first time in real war theater, although the PAF did multiple war games to check its efficacy.
After midnight, the system immediately spotted four Rafale jets when they took off and flew over the Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The air chief and his team were watching the movements of planes live. The PAF jets were airborne within no time and Pakistan managed to jam some of the systems of the Rafale, forcing the Indian jets to flee. The potential hostile act was thwarted.
All Indian fighter jets including 14 Rafale when they took off on the night of 6 and 7 May to launch a series of missile strikes inside Pakistan were immediately spotted through electronic IDs. As many as 72 Indian fighter jets were airborne and deep inside in their territory. Yet, the Pakistani side could see and track their movements.
As per the rules of engagements given to Pakistani pilots, Indian fighter jets would only be shot at if they released any weapon. The moment they fired missiles inside Pakistan, the rules of engagements changed midair and PAF pilots were asked to shoot them down.
Due to integrated Data link, Pakistani pilots had a clear visibility and necessary ground support enabling them to hit the target bulls’ eye. This was for the first time Rafale was shot down in a combat action. This was also the first time Chinese and western technologies were tested on the battlefield and China came out on top.
While China-Pakistan close cooperation played a key role, the importance of indigenous system developed by PAF over the last few years cannot be ignored, according to sources.
“Losing six fighter jets in a battle is a massive blow to the Indian Air Force,” said a PAF officer, who added while the nation cherished the victory they were preparing for the next challenge.