In what is being called one of the most remarkable feats in modern aerial warfare, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) recently downed six Indian fighter jets, including the highly advanced French-made Rafale. While much of the global spotlight focused on the Chinese-made J-10C fighters used by the PAF, the real game-changer was Pakistan’s own indigenous technology and a bold shift toward multi-domain warfare.
A Strategic Shift in Warfare
The transformation started under Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, who took charge of the PAF in March 2021. He foresaw a future where wars would be fought not only in the skies but across multiple domains:
• Air: Traditional fighter jet operations
• Land & Sea: Joint coordination with ground and naval forces
• Space: Satellite-based missile tracking and GPS navigation
• Cyber: Digital offense and defense
• Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS): Radar jamming, electronic warfare, and signal disruption
This forward-thinking led to the development of a sophisticated multi-domain operations capability. PAF created dedicated commands, including:
• PAF Cyber Command (PAFCC)
• PAF Space Command (PAFSC)
• National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP) – the hub of indigenous innovation
Read more: China’s jets and missiles make Pakistan a winner over India
The Breakthrough: Indigenous Data Link System
Pakistan had radars and equipment from multiple countries—China, Sweden, and others. The challenge was integration. The breakthrough came with the indigenous Data Link System, allowing all platforms—fighters, radars, drones, and ground stations—to communicate seamlessly in real time.
The Night the Rafales Were Spotted
On the night of April 28–29, the integrated system was tested in a real combat scenario:
• PAF’s Command Operation Center (COC) went on high alert.
• Four Rafale jets took off over Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
• They were immediately tracked by the system.
• PAF jets scrambled quickly, jamming Rafale systems and forcing retreat.
Later, on May 6–7, as many as 72 Indian fighter jets mobilized for missile strikes inside Pakistan. Once missiles were fired, PAF rules of engagement changed midair. Armed with real-time tracking, cyber support, and electronic warfare tools, Pakistani pilots shot down six Indian jets.
A Technological and Strategic Milestone
This was the first time Rafale jets were downed in combat—a significant moment in military aviation history. More importantly, it was the first battle where Chinese and Western systems were integrated, and Pakistan’s indigenous tech proved pivotal.
A PAF officer summed it up:
“We celebrate the victory, but more importantly, we prepare for the upcoming challenge.”
This event not only redefined Pakistan’s defense capabilities but also sent a strong message to the whole globe regarding the value of homegrown military technology and strategic foresight.