Extraordinary feat sends shockwaves across the globe
Chinese-made fighter jets may have stolen the limelight after Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down six Indian fighter jets, including highly-advanced French made Rafalebut that extraordinary feat was not possible without a critical indigenous technology that sent shockwaves across the globe.
“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.
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“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.
