Indulged by the self-perceived concept of “counter-weight to China and net-security provider” in Indian Ocean Region and Indo Pacific, Indians had resorted to a failed approach to intimidate Pakistan in February 2019. Having learned embarrassing lessons, Indian Air Force (IAF) hurriedly inducted Rafale combat aircraft to offset first-shot advantage of Pakistan Air Force (PAF). In order to restore conventional balance in favour of the PAF and frustrate IAF aggressive designs, the current Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber, Sidhu embarked upon an unprecedented fast-track force-modernisation involving induction of state-of-the-art weapon-systems and high-end force-multipliers, concurrently restructuring the entire PAF operational set up as well as establishing new organisational structures for Multi Domain Operations (MDOs), thus; setting the scene for the South Asian skies to witness a phenomenal shift in air doctrine and combat air operations.
PAF has repeatedly proven its mettle and resolve, even beyond borders. Latest PAF Exercise Indus Shield-2024 (IS-2024) has taken PAF once again to the new heights with unmatched precision, strength and dedication while leading from the front. IS-2024 is a mark of Pakistan’s strategic-vision for defence-diplomacy, commitment for regional-security and international-collaboration, aiming to boost cooperation, interoperability and strengthen strategic military ties with a range of diverse military forces with Pakistan at the helm.
Indus Shield-2024 was held at Sargodha in October 2024 revalidating the potency of recently inducted weapon-systems and force-multipliers as well as the new air doctrine and operational concepts. Exercise reflected a broad international presence of twenty-four countries, such as: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, China and Indonesia as well as growing roster of states from Middle East, Africa and Europe. The exercise involved very potent combat aircraft, such as: J-10s, F-16s, J-17 Block-IIIs, Panavia Tornado besides employment of traditional and high-end force-multipliers replicating real combat conditions.
Upping a notch further, PAF also conducted Indus Shield C-2024 bilateral module between Pakistan and China which included J-16, J-10 C and lethal HQ-22 Surface to Air Defence system, potent Airborne Electronic Warfare YTG-9 alongside KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning system pitched against PAF’s J-10 and JF-17 Block-III fighter aircraft simulating contemporary aerial combat scenarios.
IAF also conducted Tarang Shakti 2-2024 (TS-2024) at Jodhpur a month earlier with an aim of projecting India as a strategic partner and “self-perceived top-tier security provider” in Indian Ocean Region. Eleven countries participated including USA, UAE, UK, Greece, Germany, Spain, France, Australia, Japan and Singapore. The air platforms included F-16s, F-18s, A-10s, Rafale, SU-30 MKI and Mirages as well as traditional force multipliers. TS-2024 did conduct Large Force Engagements and supporting combined operations. However, the focus was on the use of electromagnetic spectrum of the participating foreign air arms and their interoperability. An analysis of recent air exercises given in the succeeding paragraphs could help unfold the doctrinal-shift taking taken place in the skies of the South Asia and its proximities.
The Exercise IS-2024 involved unprecedented Multi Domain Operations, addressing the dilemmas confronting a next-generation air force like the PAF for employment of air power. The Exercise helped honing abilities of the participants in MDOs and warfare-confines while exploiting a range of higher-end force-multipliers, like; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Ground-Based Electronic Warfare (EW), Cyber and Space domains. To extract realistic training value, the Exercise employed “Blue Force” Vs “Red Force” setting with contestants engaging each other with Rules of Engagement conforming to the roles of next-generation air power as well as extending seamless teamwork across multi-domains.
The Exercise also provided another opportunity to PAF for validating the role of four newly established organisational structures for Cyber, Space, UAV and EW domains which constituted essential elements of the MDOs. Another highlight was the newly upgraded and modernised version of Airpower Centre of Excellence (ACE) to conduct international exercises, evaluate large-force tactics, integration of MDOs into combat air operations commensurate with next-generation warfare. Newly restructured ACE rightly earned its fame as “a next-level air warfare training centre”.
The Exercise enabled Pakistani defence industry to offer solutions to target-buyers in Africa and Middle East; especially for the JF-17 Block-IIIs, drones, guided stand-off range munitions like cruise missiles and glide bombs, anti-UAV weapons and custom integration services etc. It also unlocked a gateway to air forces seeking to participate in modern exercises without geo-political constraints.
Rapid induction of lethal weapon systems, force-modernisation and restructuring of PAF’s entire operational set-up reflect clear strategic vision, futuristic approach and the doctrinal shift that Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber, Sidhu has ensured to retain conventional balance in favour of the PAF as well as provide much-awaited impetus to aviation industry of Pakistan. Hence, the South Asian skies are set to witness a phenomenal shift in modern air warfare doctrines, air strategies and operational concepts; especially the MDOs involving cyber, space, UAVs and EW domains-all integrated into lethal combat scenarios.
The writer, Dr. Air Commodore (Retd) Naveed Khaliq Ansaree, is a Director at Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Lahore.
