Recent conflict between India and Pakistan has surprised the world in general and military analysts in particular in many ways. It has drawn attention from all around the world and caused defence professionals and analysts to rethink their long-held beliefs about the balance of power in the region. This short and intense conflict is being and will continue to be studied from various political and military perspectives. Both warring sides will have their own strategic and operational analyses and lessons; however, the foremost and most dominant fact is the decisive role of Air Power, which influenced the conflict’s outcome.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF), being the most vital component of national power, achieved comprehensive victory for Pakistan in complete harmony with the Pakistan Army and Navy through the cohesive and converging military strategy of its leadership. This article will analyze the application of air power and paradigm shift that was brought in by the incumbent leadership which completely surprised the enemy and led to the victory.
Strategic Vision Rooted in Founding Principles
Pakistan Air Force’s strategic vision is derived from the speech of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, delivered during his maiden visit to PAF Academy Asghar Khan on 13 April 1948 (then Royal Pakistan Air Force Flying Training School). He said:
“A country without a strong Air Force is at the mercy of any aggressor. Pakistan must build up her Air Force as quickly as possible. It must be an efficient Air Force, Second to None.”
He further added, “I charge you to remember that only with Discipline and Self-Reliance can Pakistan Air Force be worthy of Pakistan.”
Without delving into the entire history of the PAF, this article highlights fundamental organizational, conceptual and structural transformations initiated by the current leadership, that collectively represent a paradigm shift across all domains of aerospace power.
Giulio Douhet, an Italian General and Air Power Strategist, in his book “Command of the Air”, argues about the changing character of war. According to him:
“Victory smiles upon those who anticipate the change in the character of war, not upon those who wait to adapt themselves after the changes occur.”
The relevance of both Jinnah’s and Douhet’s insights will be discussed in the preceding paragraphs.
India’s Modernization and the Challenge for PAF
By 2021, India had significantly modernized its Air Force with high-profile acquisitions, Rafale fighter jets, S-400 Air Defense Systems, and enhanced BrahMos missile capabilities. These acquisitions were celebrated at the national level in India as “game changers,” shifting the balance of power decisively in India’s favor rendering PAF’s aging F-16 fleet seemingly outdated. A force comparison at the beginning of 2021 clearly gave a decisive edge to the IAF in all domains of air power.
The Transformation Plan Under Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu
Right after assuming the command in March 2021, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, in his inaugural address unveiled an ambitious transformation plan, initially deemed impractical by many. However, true leadership is defined by making the impossible possible, a belief he firmly held during his first Air Board meeting with his newly appointed Principal Staff Officers. He outlined a comprehensive strategy, whose highlights are listed below in order of priority:
- Organizational Restructuring.
- Indigenization and self-reliance through establishment of NASTP.
- Transform PAF into an aerospace force.
- Transform PAF from a fighter-centric force to a multi-domain and sensor-centric force.
- Induction of Niche and Destructive Capabilities to replace numbers.
- Establishment of Cyber Command for offensive and defensive cyber ops.
- Convert Air Defence to Integrated Air Defence.
- Establishment of un-manned force command.
- Establishment of Ground Based Air Defence.
- Establishment of Electronic Warfare command structure.
- Establishment of National Integrated ISR Centre.
- Complete revamping C4I2SR Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Interoperability combined with Surveillance and Reconnaissance.
- Fundamental overhaul of PAF training architecture at all tiers with special focus on operational training.
- Implemented modern HR management by integrating data-driven decisions and continuous training to enhance operational readiness for an agile and skilled workforce capable of addressing contemporary warfare challenges.
Execution: Four Years and 56 Days of Transformation
All the major areas discussed in the preceding paragraphs would require a colossal amount of time, effort and resources to manifest by all standards. Also, it is not prudent to discuss in detail each domain as it would spread the discussion far beyond the scope of the article. However, a few key conclusions are highlighted below regarding the domains defined by Chief of the Air Staff, spanning from his first day in command to the night of May 6-7, 2025, a time lapse of precisely 4 years and 56 days explaining the Modus Operandi behind the execution and complete transformation of PAF force structure:
- Aggressive retirement of all types of weapon systems which had hit obsolescence and consuming excessive financial resources for operations and maintenance.
- Multiple teams headed by PSOs were established for execution and accomplishment of defined domains for concurrent effort with quick and prudent decision making through personal involvement by CAS with each team to save time normally wasted in lengthy processes.
- Deep, research-based analysis of the entire spectrum of threat at strategic, operational and tactical level, correspondingly, identification of critical deficiencies in PAF force structure and fast track induction in coordination with national military and political leadership.
- Aggressive indigenization efforts through NASTP in collaboration with national R&D setups and international partners.
- Lightning speed, full spectrum operationalization of acquired capabilities.
- All operational exercises in-land and abroad changed from fighter centric to multi-domain centric, thus making every newly acquired capability to be fully operationalized in a new concept of multi-domain warfare.
- The most vital aspect was direct personal supervision by the CAS to ensure progress, optimize financial resources and indigenize capabilities for sustained warmaking potential.
Cumulative Impact: Demonstrated in Marka-e-Haq
Without further going into the specific details of every process, it would be more appropriate to analyze the cumulative impact of all the processes that were put in place which finely were comprehensively demonstrated and decisively manifested during Marka-e-Haq. It was the same IAF which claimed a decisive edge both technologically and numerically over PAF in 2021 and was widely celebrated by the Indian nation. But what actually happened that within such a short span of time, the IAF once believed to have a decisive edge was comprehensively defeated in every domain of air power application.
- Air Chief strategically enhanced PAF’s air combat capabilities by investing in a fully integrated Kill Chain that linked advanced ground radars, Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft and modern fighter jets equipped with Beyond-Visual-Range missiles to transform PAF into a Multi Domain Operations capable force. The network-centric approach enabled rapid detection, precise targeting and swift engagement of threats, significantly reducing response time and ensuring decisive air dominance in the region. By leveraging seamless data fusion and real-time communication within a homogeneous ecosystem, PAF gained a critical tactical and strategic edge over the adversary recalibrating the Balance of Power in the region.
- IAF remained fighter aircraft centric while PAF transformed into multi-domain centric. This paradigm shift by PAF was so quick that IAF leadership in particular and Indian leadership in general could not assimilate this transformation and was completely surprised. It would not be an over statement to say that IAF went into an operational and strategic paralysis. This is where the quote by Douhet regarding changing character of war aptly fits in which was discussed in preceding paragraphs.
- PAF dominated the OODA loop (Observe, Orientate, Decide and Act). CAS remained in-control of operation starting pre-hostilities till ceasefire was declared from the Command Operation Centre. Electronic Order of Battle was constantly changed as per the dynamic air battle situation and employment of multi domain capability was controlled in real time to have complete air and battle space transparency. Each and every tactical action was precisely measured and ideally choreographed till the minutest details with most refined employment. This was the first time in the history of air warfare, where two Air Forces engaged in large numbers in Beyond Visual Range air battle in a fiercely contested air space. This air battle will be studied as a textbook case of BVR engagement, lasting nearly 55 minutes.
- Precise and accurate targeting both in air and on ground in extremely fluid and hyper dynamic air battle situation is impossible without a robust and precise kill chain operation. Sensor, Shooter and Decision Maker, the three elements of kill chain were spread across complete air and battle space which were controlled through centralized command, distributed control and decentralized execution. CAS along with his operational and tactical teams fully dominated the kill chain thus shooting 6 IAF front line fighter aircraft along with a Heron UAV in the opening gambit thus putting the enemy air power completely defensive and comprehensively established air superiority, which lasted from the start of the conflict until the ceasefire was declared.
- Subsequently, Pakistan Air Force launched a determined offensive to assert air superiority and respond decisively to Indian strikes. Despite facing a numerically advanced adversary, PAF successfully employed its integrated kill chain showcasing the skill and resilience of Pakistani pilots. PAF’s offensive focused on rapid, coordinated strikes against Indian military targets utilizing hypersonic capability and killer drones emphasizing precision and tactical surprise to disrupt Indian operations. During Marka-e-Haq, the Pakistan Air Force executed a highly coordinated and effective series of precision strikes deep into enemy territory. The operation saw PAF successfully targeting and inflicting significant damage on key IAF Air Bases, including Srinagar, Avantipur, Rajori, Adampur, Udhampur, Pathankot, Halwara, Bhatinda, Sirsa, Bhuj, and Nalia. These strikes disrupted IAF operations and severely degraded their aerial response capability. In a remarkable show of reach and precision, PAF also targeted and destroyed two S-400 Air Defence Systems, considered the backbone of India’s air defence network whereas strikes on BrahMos missile storage facilities further undermined India’s offensive capabilities. Critical command and control (C2) infrastructure, including military headquarters in Rajori and Bhimbar Galli, as well as key SATCOM installations, were neutralized, severely impacting enemy communication and operational coordination. Notably, PAF’s long-range killer drones demonstrated strategic penetration by engaging high-value targets as deep as New Delhi and as far South as Kandla Port. This broad geographic coverage reflected PAF’s enhanced strike capability and technological edge in unmanned warfare, effectively showcasing its offensive prowess. Operation Marka-e-Haq thus stands as a landmark in modern aerial warfare, establishing PAF’s dominance across a wide operational spectrum and delivering a decisive blow to adversary capabilities.
Conclusion: A New Era of Air Dominance
In conclusion, under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, PAF demonstrated that air power is inherently offensive in nature, has the potential to create strategic effects and will be decisive in the outcome of warfare.
With continued focus on modernization of force structure as is seen in the last four years, PAF should now aim to establish air dominance over the entire subcontinent, including the Indian Ocean region, to safeguard Pakistan’s political, economic, strategic and security interests. This decisive victory is now being acknowledged by Indian Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and members of the BJP leadership.