I know we put missile strikes away from the sim but seeing how 27 Feb played out, I think next time such conflict arises, we might see air warfare followed by conventional missile strikes and then land intrusion with naval deployments simultaneously.
The lesson is very clear - there is a first-mover advantage only if used to deploy the maximum permissible powerful missile forces below nuclear devices. That is not a narrow space; there are lots of options and alternatives, and using lower level options for the sake of not spooking the opposition into a terrible error is a self-defeating strategy. Not the first mover, but the first mover who uses the maximum permissible force short of nuclear force will be the gainer.
The initial days will be very high-intensity followed by a kind of stalemate at the engagement points and at that period, the political decisions will be the pivot point to either cessation/cool-down of hostilities
It is quite possible that there may be deviation from the simulated game-play in the real world. It is clear that both sides, or either side, may consider that a pause to cool down the situation may be a good idea.
There is no guarantee that this will happen.
Also, there is no reason for a pause due to a 'stalemate'; it is put into quotation marks due to the uncertainty of such a pause occurring. It might, it just as well also might not.
or revamp of military operations potentially hot - deploying second-strike capabilities by both sides and also spreading out the first strike with mated-weapons.
Again, in the real world, this may be precisely the situation; that one side might want to status quo.
In this simulation, use of nuclear devices is not included.
Nuclear weapons are a deterrent but they will come into operational use once a certain threshold is reached.
It is possible.
Who knows, maybe next time, we see the skirmish start with missile attacks at alleged terror camps in Pakistan territory.
This is a distinct possibility.
It became clear during even the first two steps in the simulation that using manned aircraft is pointless and will lead to heavy casualties.
Seeing how we reacted with the Brahmos in Mian Channu recently even by mistake (which is hard and potentially was by rogue elements),
Completely disagree with this. There is no point in this kind of speculation.
it is a safer option than using manned aircraft. And we might see a more reactive military response too than given by current/past leadership unlike how we didn't attack back in India (i.e attacked in J&K) and didn't react to Brahmos launch.
No comment. On our side/my side, I can say with confidence that the Army is prepared for what has just been suggested, and also has the capability of striking back.
The next conflict will both have airforces clashing and missiles with conventional load (cruise + Ballistics (most probably liquid-fueled due to better control and accuracy) taking the charge in initial days.
It is unlikely that aircraft will be risked in initial combat missions. but once opposing AD is fairly comprehensively degraded, that might change.