CriticalThought
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@WebMaster I want this thread a mandatory reading before anyone comments on the topic of PAF procurements.
I am amazed at the discussions I see happening in the forum on the topic of threat from IAF and its response in terms of PAF procurement. And I am unnerved by the news from the recently concluded Shaheen VI exercise.
Setting aside forum discussions, let us analyse Shaheen VI. Both China and Pakistan sent 3rd to 4th gen fighter jets (NOTE: I am not following the Chinese system here) along with AEW&Cs in an exercise that concentrated on day/night co-ordinated ground attacks, air to air combat, and touched on naval operations amongst others. While highly commendable, this was the script for a 20th century air war.
Today, aerial warfare IS electronic warfare. Before you can shoot at the enemy, you need to find, track, and target the enemy. There is a long kill chain and every link in the chain has evolved with special equipment. In this scenario, simulating a modern air war requires presenting very credible EM threats. The two airforces should exchange knowledge in the area of ELINT operations in the face of unknown EM threats. There should be coordinated SEAD operations against modern radar systems. The efficacy of jamming and spoofing should be tested against each other's radar systems. Unfortunately, the PAF fighter jets involved in the exercise make such operations meaningless.
One may ask the question: Do we need to prepare for such a war? And the answer is a resounding yes. Indian airforce has been working in very close coordination with the Israeli airforce. This is a country and a force that is extremely technologically advanced. They have access to cutting edge American systems and training. Through them, Indian airforce doctrine benefits from cutting edge war fighting methods.
In this background, I want to return to incessant discussions on the forum, on the topic of procuring a 'heavy strike fighter' for 'deep strikes'. The topic has become an obsession to the point that a psychiatrist would diagnose most esteemed members with OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Modern aerial combat IS NOT JUST volleys of BVRs and WVRs fired by extremely fast and super-maneuverable fighter jets.
Just the pattern of Indian procurements is testament to their extremely modern war fighting philosophy. Recognizing the utmost importance of radars, they are investing in a top notch multi-layered radar network from multiple vendors. This means, even if we exploit a vulnerability in one system, there are other systems that can present a credible threat. And they are pairing this with the purchase of a very advance and modern 4.5++ gen fighter - Rafale with exceptional Electronic Warfare capabilities.
With Indian philosophy evolving quickly, I find it inexcusable that forum members are stuck in the past and discussing irrelevant strategies. Thankfully, PAF does not lend a ear to any of the noises made on the forum, and forum moderators do not penalize lack of expertise and knowledge. But I don't see this 'free interexchange of ideas' evolving into an erudite discussion that takes into account modern advancements and proposes creative, forward thinking strategies. I invite people to learn more about modern aerial warfare and what it is going to take to win it against the Indian airforce, especially when they are armed with both S-400 and Rafale.
In terms of work at PAC, we absolutely need to advance the indigenous fighter jet, but we also need the proper equipment to face new Indian threats that will materialize in the next 2 to 3 years.
@Oscar @Bilal Khan 777 @Bilal Khan (Quwa) @The SC
I am amazed at the discussions I see happening in the forum on the topic of threat from IAF and its response in terms of PAF procurement. And I am unnerved by the news from the recently concluded Shaheen VI exercise.
Setting aside forum discussions, let us analyse Shaheen VI. Both China and Pakistan sent 3rd to 4th gen fighter jets (NOTE: I am not following the Chinese system here) along with AEW&Cs in an exercise that concentrated on day/night co-ordinated ground attacks, air to air combat, and touched on naval operations amongst others. While highly commendable, this was the script for a 20th century air war.
Today, aerial warfare IS electronic warfare. Before you can shoot at the enemy, you need to find, track, and target the enemy. There is a long kill chain and every link in the chain has evolved with special equipment. In this scenario, simulating a modern air war requires presenting very credible EM threats. The two airforces should exchange knowledge in the area of ELINT operations in the face of unknown EM threats. There should be coordinated SEAD operations against modern radar systems. The efficacy of jamming and spoofing should be tested against each other's radar systems. Unfortunately, the PAF fighter jets involved in the exercise make such operations meaningless.
One may ask the question: Do we need to prepare for such a war? And the answer is a resounding yes. Indian airforce has been working in very close coordination with the Israeli airforce. This is a country and a force that is extremely technologically advanced. They have access to cutting edge American systems and training. Through them, Indian airforce doctrine benefits from cutting edge war fighting methods.
In this background, I want to return to incessant discussions on the forum, on the topic of procuring a 'heavy strike fighter' for 'deep strikes'. The topic has become an obsession to the point that a psychiatrist would diagnose most esteemed members with OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Modern aerial combat IS NOT JUST volleys of BVRs and WVRs fired by extremely fast and super-maneuverable fighter jets.
Just the pattern of Indian procurements is testament to their extremely modern war fighting philosophy. Recognizing the utmost importance of radars, they are investing in a top notch multi-layered radar network from multiple vendors. This means, even if we exploit a vulnerability in one system, there are other systems that can present a credible threat. And they are pairing this with the purchase of a very advance and modern 4.5++ gen fighter - Rafale with exceptional Electronic Warfare capabilities.
With Indian philosophy evolving quickly, I find it inexcusable that forum members are stuck in the past and discussing irrelevant strategies. Thankfully, PAF does not lend a ear to any of the noises made on the forum, and forum moderators do not penalize lack of expertise and knowledge. But I don't see this 'free interexchange of ideas' evolving into an erudite discussion that takes into account modern advancements and proposes creative, forward thinking strategies. I invite people to learn more about modern aerial warfare and what it is going to take to win it against the Indian airforce, especially when they are armed with both S-400 and Rafale.
In terms of work at PAC, we absolutely need to advance the indigenous fighter jet, but we also need the proper equipment to face new Indian threats that will materialize in the next 2 to 3 years.
@Oscar @Bilal Khan 777 @Bilal Khan (Quwa) @The SC
