The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) remains committed to ensuring Pakistan’s airspace sovereignty and pursuing peace through strength. The PAF has played a decisive role in countering attempts to establish a new normal under the hegemonic designs of a supremacist regime, while simultaneously reestablishing deterrence.
IAF’s build-up and PAF’s response
The situation unfolded at 0010 hours midnight on 7 May 2025, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) began mobilising its aircraft near Azad Kashmir and Pakistan’s eastern border. Pakistan’s advanced electronic sensors immediately detected the activity, prompting a rapid response from the PAF. By 0012 hours, just two minutes later, the PAF had scrambled its jets to pre-empt and deter any potential misadventure.
According to defence sources, the IAF had assembled approximately 60 aircraft, including 14 Rafale jets. The IAF’s arsenal was later reinforced, bringing the total to over 70 aircraft. This formidable strike package was poised to unleash a devastating aerial assault on Pakistan.
Undaunted by the IAF’s numerical superiority, the PAF deployed 40 state-of-the-art aircraft to defend Pakistan’s skies. With its operational readiness and strategic planning, the PAF effectively countered the IAF’s aggression, safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
PAF’s brilliant display of aerial prowess
In a remarkable display of military might, the PAF engaged in a fierce and historical dogfight with the IAF, resulting in the downing of five IAF fighter aircraft and one unmanned vehicle (UAV), which makes a total of six kills.
The intense aerial battle saw PAF pilots skillfully manoeuvre their jets to gain the upper hand, leveraging beyond visual radar (BVR) missiles to devastating effect. During the entire engagement, PAF retained the first shoot capability. The IAF losses included three Rafale jets, one Su-30, one MiG-29, and a UAV.
This historic engagement, involving over 100 aircraft from both sides, has set a new benchmark in modern air warfare. The PAF’s bravery, tactical brilliance, and operational readiness were on full display.
The night of 6 and 7 May
The night between 6th and 7th May will be engraved in the annals of air combat history as a benchmark for operational readiness, strategic foresight, and multi-domain excellence. This engagement will be studied in air combat institutions around the world as a testament to the PAF’s tactical brilliance and operational mastery. This remarkable display of military prowess will undoubtedly inspire future generations of air warriors.
Dominance over the electromagnetic spectrum further gave the PAF a critical edge, catching the adversary by surprise.
The PAF utilised its first multi-domain operation successfully during this conflict, entailing integrated, seamless and synchronous utilisation of electronic warfare, cyber capabilities, and space-based assets. To achieve air supremacy, control over the electromagnetic spectrum is imperative for dominating the conflict. Spectrum warfare capabilities integrate electronic warfare, cyber operations, space assets, and command, control, communication, infrastructure, and information (C3I) across air, land, and sea domains. Together, these elements form a comprehensive electronic warfare network. The effectiveness of this multi-domain approach will become evident in the following paragraphs.
Pakistan’s decisive response
On 10th May, the Indian Air Force launched an air offensive using UAVs targeting Pakistan’s civilian population. Despite the drones’ low radar cross-section, our advanced radar systems detected them promptly. Leveraging cutting-edge indigenous capabilities, Pakistan successfully neutralised the drone threat through multiple methods: soft kill techniques involving sophisticated GPS jamming and data denial systems to disrupt drone operations; SATCOM denial systems that severed satellite communication links, rendering the drones ineffective; and hard kill measures that physically intercepted and destroyed the UAVs.
Pakistan’s swift and precise response not only neutralised the immediate threat but also demonstrated its prowess in modern warfare. By grounding the IAF’s fleet, restricting its operational options, and delivering a blow to its pride, the PAF gained a significant strategic advantage.
To maintain strategic superiority, Pakistan must continue to enhance its capabilities, refine its strengths, and stay prepared for emerging and evolving threats.
In absolute desperation, India escalated the offensive by launching surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) / long-range vectors (LRVs). Leveraging its advanced capabilities, the PAF closely monitored the real-time launch, flight and terminal phases of all incoming missiles, successfully neutralising the threat. By inducing GPS errors, the PAF rendered the SSMs ineffective.
This operation demonstrated the PAF’s dominance in two critical areas: first, its multi-domain expertise, reflected in the seamless integration of electronic warfare, cyber capabilities, and space assets; and second, its supremacy over the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling effective control and calibrated escalation through spectrum warfare. The successful defence was a result of the PAF’s indigenous technological development and strategic acumen.
Pakistan’s strategic gains
On 10th May, Pakistan executed a groundbreaking operation, delivering precision strikes against IAF airfields and ground targets with unprecedented accuracy and lethality. Leveraging its niche disruptive capabilities, the PAF penetrated deep into enemy territory along India’s western border and Azad Kashmir, targeting military elements directly involved in violating Pakistan’s sovereignty and killing innocent civilians.
The operation included precision strikes on key assets such as IAF airfields, ammunition depots, a BrahMos missile site, and vital command and control systems. Most notably, the PAF neutralised the S-400 Air Defence System — considered the enemy’s centre of gravity — at Adampur and Poonch, delivering a severe blow to India’s air defence posture.
Employing an effects-based operational approach, the PAF executed swift, calibrated strikes that exhibited its advanced capabilities and strategic planning. This operation not only demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to manage escalation effectively but also exposed critical vulnerabilities within enemy defences.
Lessons from PAF’s combat triumph
The PAF’s recent combat success highlights several key factors that contributed to its resounding victory. At the core was visionary leadership, where clear and bold decision-making shaped strategic actions. This was matched by exceptional operational readiness, as the PAF demonstrated swift and coordinated response capabilities. Superior training enabled personnel to execute complex operations with precision, while multi-domain excellence — through the seamless integration of electronic warfare, cyber capabilities, and space assets — proved decisive on the battlefield. Dominance over the electromagnetic spectrum further gave the PAF a critical edge, catching the adversary by surprise. The ability to deliver the first strike using beyond-visual-range missiles added another layer of strategic advantage. These successes were underpinned by robust indigenous capabilities, reflecting self-reliance in defence technologies, and an unwavering spirit that fuelled the PAF’s determination and resolve.
As we celebrate the achievements of our heroes and honour this dignified victory, it is vital to remain vigilant and forward-looking. The adversary will no doubt assess its shortcomings, strengthen its defences, and seek to neutralise our advantages. To maintain strategic superiority, Pakistan must continue to enhance its capabilities, refine its strengths, and stay prepared for emerging and evolving threats.
Pakistan zindabad!
The writer is a retired officer of the Pakistan Air Force.
