PAF Special Purpose Assets - News, Discussions & Updates

[Quwa]

We need 3 Bombadier jets minimum for one to be up 24 hours in wartime

Older post, but I believe the PAF would acquire a new SOJ for each offensive wing it intends to raise. Each 'wing' would be a composite force similar to what we saw during Swift Retort: 2~3 combat aircraft squadrons, 1 long-range AEW&C, and 1 SOJ.

The 3 combat aircraft squadrons could comprise of 1 crewed NGFA squadron, 1 jet-powered UCAV squadron, and if possible, 1 multirole unit. So, based on what the PAF said so far and its actions up to this point, a wing could be:

• 14~16 NGFA (e.g., AVIC J-35A)
• 14~16 UCAV (e.g., Bayraktar Kizilelma)
• 16~24 MRCA (e.g., J-10CE or JF-17B3/PFX)
• 1 Erieye-ER (or equivalent) AEW&C
• 1 HAVSOJ (or equivalent) EA/ECM aircraft

The whole point of an offensive wing would be to carry out an operation of strategic impact or significance. So, Swift Retort was relatively major in scale, but its strategic impact was to deter India from further action. Now, had the gloves been off, then we could still get a sense of how much damage Swift Retort could've done had those H-2s and REKs been steered to their designated targets.

So, an offensive wing comprising of NGFAs and UCAVs could do things like obstructing potential IAF OCAs (ideally in coordination with Army Fatah/Babur units), destroying an ordnance factory (or fuel depot), etc.

I can see the PAF aiming for 3 permanent offensive wings - i.e., 1 to cover each region - and 1-2 temporary wings that can be raised during wartime. So, a new SOJ could go to each of the new wings (i.e., 3 in total), with upgraded Falcon DA20s being available for the temporary wartime units.

In tandem with that, I do think the PAF will quietly pursue the Erieye-ER from Saab, and aim to integrate it onto the Global 6000. Not sure if they'd need the full-out GlobalEye configuration as the ground-sensor stuff can be loaded to HALE UAVs. The SAR/GMTI probably doesn't help much in a conventional war as the PAF probably wouldn't use such high-value assets for managing CAS. If that's a need, a UAV would be better.

This is just my theory, but there are signs of the PAF thinking along these lines. For example, we got SPD orgs developing their own counterparts to the JSM and SPEAR-3 via the Rasoob 250 and AZB-82LR, respectively. These are both very long-range SOWs with an emphasis on using accuracy to strike the right targets rather than relying on a larger explosive yield to offset a wider CEP. Benefit? You can load more Rasoob 250s or AZB-82LRs onto your aircraft, especially in their internal bays.

One other point... Swift Retort was a PAF-only story. But now, we're also talking about the rise of the PA long-range strike element. While combined arms maneuvers aren't likely, I do think they'll broadly coordinate, e.g., if there's something to hit that requires both a PAF offensive wing and an Army Fatah/Babur unit, it'd happen...

And if we don't hear about the PAF pursuing the Erieye-ER, then, IMO, they're probably trying to field their own original GaN-based AEW&C. Our industry could do the design work (of the overall AEW&C system when accounting for all subsystems), integration, and testing. They'd just need a good GaN TRM supplier and a partner to assist with a fuselage-mounted array (and associated aerodynamic testing). Definitely something the likes of Leonardo or Airbus DS could help with on the down-low. Both of them had showed up at IDEAS 2024, and it wasn't to market the Typhoon IMHO. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the actual intent was to support the PAF's next AEW&C and SOJ needs. @Oscar @arslank01 @Bilal

As for peacetime EW... I think a lot of that will offloaded to land-based and UAV-based ELINT systems. In peacetime, the PAF would need something it can scalably deploy to as many areas as possible.

 

[Yasser76]

Older post, but I believe the PAF would acquire a new SOJ for each offensive wing it intends to raise. Each 'wing' would be a composite force similar to what we saw during Swift Retort: 2~3 combat aircraft squadrons, 1 long-range AEW&C, and 1 SOJ.

The 3 combat aircraft squadrons could comprise of 1 crewed NGFA squadron, 1 jet-powered UCAV squadron, and if possible, 1 multirole unit. So, based on what the PAF said so far and its actions up to this point, a wing could be:

• 14~16 NGFA (e.g., AVIC J-35A)
• 14~16 UCAV (e.g., Bayraktar Kizilelma)
• 16~24 MRCA (e.g., J-10CE or JF-17B3/PFX)
• 1 Erieye-ER (or equivalent) AEW&C
• 1 HAVSOJ (or equivalent) EA/ECM aircraft

The whole point of an offensive wing would be to carry out an operation of strategic impact or significance. So, Swift Retort was relatively major in scale, but its strategic impact was to deter India from further action. Now, had the gloves been off, then we could still get a sense of how much damage Swift Retort could've done had those H-2s and REKs been steered to their designated targets.

So, an offensive wing comprising of NGFAs and UCAVs could do things like obstructing potential IAF OCAs (ideally in coordination with Army Fatah/Babur units), destroying an ordnance factory (or fuel depot), etc.

I can see the PAF aiming for 3 permanent offensive wings - i.e., 1 to cover each region - and 1-2 temporary wings that can be raised during wartime. So, a new SOJ could go to each of the new wings (i.e., 3 in total), with upgraded Falcon DA20s being available for the temporary wartime units.

In tandem with that, I do think the PAF will quietly pursue the Erieye-ER from Saab, and aim to integrate it onto the Global 6000. Not sure if they'd need the full-out GlobalEye configuration as the ground-sensor stuff can be loaded to HALE UAVs. The SAR/GMTI probably doesn't help much in a conventional war as the PAF probably wouldn't use such high-value assets for managing CAS. If that's a need, a UAV would be better.

This is just my theory, but there are signs of the PAF thinking along these lines. For example, we got SPD orgs developing their own counterparts to the JSM and SPEAR-3 via the Rasoob 250 and AZB-82LR, respectively. These are both very long-range SOWs with an emphasis on using accuracy to strike the right targets rather than relying on a larger explosive yield to offset a wider CEP. Benefit? You can load more Rasoob 250s or AZB-82LRs onto your aircraft, especially in their internal bays.

One other point... Swift Retort was a PAF-only story. But now, we're also talking about the rise of the PA long-range strike element. While combined arms maneuvers aren't likely, I do think they'll broadly coordinate, e.g., if there's something to hit that requires both a PAF offensive wing and an Army Fatah/Babur unit, it'd happen...

And if we don't hear about the PAF pursuing the Erieye-ER, then, IMO, they're probably trying to field their own original GaN-based AEW&C. Our industry could do the design work (of the overall AEW&C system when accounting for all subsystems), integration, and testing. They'd just need a good GaN TRM supplier and a partner to assist with a fuselage-mounted array (and associated aerodynamic testing). Definitely something the likes of Leonardo or Airbus DS could help with on the down-low. Both of them had showed up at IDEAS 2024, and it wasn't to market the Typhoon IMHO. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the actual intent was to support the PAF's next AEW&C and SOJ needs. @Oscar @arslank01 @Bilal

As for peacetime EW... I think a lot of that will offloaded to land-based and UAV-based ELINT systems. In peacetime, the PAF would need something it can scalably deploy to as many areas as possible.

Sounds logical, but we will need more numbers. Currently I think PAF has around 9 Erieye which is enough for three wings. It will need at least 9 HAVSOJ too.

1 Aircraft does not represent a "capability", as IAF found out badly during Swift Retort due to lack of AEW coverage.

Each wing will need 3 AEW and 3 AVSOJ to ensure a constant capability in the air

 

[Quwa]

Sounds logical, but we will need more numbers. Currently I think PAF has around 9 Erieye which is enough for three wings. It will need at least 9 HAVSOJ too.

1 Aircraft does not represent a "capability", as IAF found out badly during Swift Retort due to lack of AEW coverage.

Each wing will need 3 AEW and 3 AVSOJ to ensure a constant capability in the air

hmmm...so what I was referring to with 'offensive wings' were specific sub-groups within the PAF. Their job would be deep strike, OCA, etc., not area-denial or air defence. These units would go out, do the job, come back, go into servicing, and prep for their next ops. Sure, there could be 1 offensive wing available at any given point so that AHQ maintains an offensive option throughout a war, but total coverage isn't the goal.

The force running tandem with the offensive wings would be focused on total domestic air coverage. So, this would be the wings comprising of J-10CEs, JF-17s, F-16s, and Saab Erieye AEW&Cs. Their EA/ECM element would likely be through integrated suites and/or higher-output pods for extended jamming coverage.

It's here where the numbers will matter, but the most scalable option is to go the quasi-Growler route and fit out some fighters with several EA/ECM pods, design EA/ECM decoys (based on Taimoor, Rasoob, and/or AZB-81LR ALCMs), etc.

 

[Yasser76]

hmmm...so what I was referring to with 'offensive wings' were specific sub-groups within the PAF. Their job would be deep strike, OCA, etc., not area-denial or air defence. These units would go out, do the job, come back, go into servicing, and prep for their next ops. Sure, there could be 1 offensive wing available at any given point so that AHQ maintains an offensive option throughout a war, but total coverage isn't the goal.

The force running tandem with the offensive wings would be focused on total domestic air coverage. So, this would be the wings comprising of J-10CEs, JF-17s, F-16s, and Saab Erieye AEW&Cs. Their EA/ECM element would likely be through integrated suites and/or higher-output pods for extended jamming coverage.

It's here where the numbers will matter, but the most scalable option is to go the quasi-Growler route and fit out some fighters with several EA/ECM pods, design EA/ECM decoys (based on Taimoor, Rasoob, and/or AZB-81LR ALCMs), etc.

Ah, understood, basically like the USAF Expiditionary Wing concept?

 

[Quwa]

Ah, understood, basically like the USAF Expiditionary Wing concept?

Yep. IMO, that's the only way something like the J-35A or KAAN would fit in the PAF. These are big platforms with (likely) more range and payload. They're not going to be as easy or cost-effective to maintain as the 4/4+ multirole jets. Whatever they build out of these NGFAs, it'll be for a very specific set of missions. I call it, "strategic impact mission" (or SIM). You'd also find cohesive home for the SSW, AAR tankers, CSAR helicopters, etc., in this subset.

This might also explain the apparent push for some lightweight next-gen(-ish) fighter, e.g., PFX. The PAF knows it'll need a new workhorse to replace its current workhorses as they age out. In fact, the JF-17 Block-1s will start reaching 20 years of age from 2030.

So, a lightweight but agile and high-tech complement to the bigger NGFAs could be on the cards, conceptually at least. Just, at this time, the PAF may not have figured out the best way to approach it given the situation (e.g., re-leveraging the JF-17 investment).

 

[CSAW]

"The long-range, early-warning YLC-8B is a UHF-band 3-D radar that appeared in Zhuhai a decade ago.
It utilises full coherent digital-pulse compression and moving target detection technology.



"The long-range, early-warning YLC-8B is a UHF-band 3-D radar that appeared in Zhuhai a decade ago.
It utilises full coherent digital-pulse compression and moving target detection technology.



YLC-8B designed by the Chinese company’s Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology, integrate the traditional detection method of mechanical scanning with advanced phased array technology, so is capable of detecting aerial targets including stealth aircraft, the institute said.

"

https://www.deagel.com/news/n000024705

 

[CSAW]

 

[CSAW]

FALCON DA-20 Aircraft​

"
Pakistan Air Force also operates French origin Dassault Falcon DA-20 fixed wing aircraft. Mirage Rebuild Factory has capitalized its decades of experience on French Origin Mirage Aircraft and has successfully carried out indigenous Depot Level Inspections of Falcon DA-20 Aircraft for complete PAF fleet.



No. 24 Electronic Warfare Squadron, nicknamed the Blinders, is an Electronic Warfare EW unit of PAF, equipped with French Falcon DA-20 fitted with Electronics.

It is the PAF's Electronic Warfare squadron and undertakes EW, ECM & ESM missions while also training Pilots, Air Defense controllers and engineering officers in EW environments."




----------------------------------

Y-9LG electronic warfare platform
PLAAF’s 20th Specialized Division, part of the 58th Air Regiment based at Guiyang-Leizhuang, within the Southern Theater Command.
‘Balance beam’ radar antenna mounted above the fuselage, contain an array used in an offensive capacity. It pumps out electronically scanned radar beams to jam enemy radar signals"

 

[CSAW]

 

[CSAW]

 

[CSAW]

"Feb 2025 : Major Takeaway from the Defense MOUs between Turkiye & Pakistan

Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) plays a critical role in modern combat as modern combat systems use the electromagnetic spectrum in some capacity.

Electronic Attack (EA) is a popular area within EW, allowing forces to actively jam, disrupt and spoof adversary electronic signals to gain an advantage on the battlefield.




Considering the pivitol role of Falcon DA-20 Blinders during Swift Retort skirmish - PAF was lloking to upgrade the technology.

Recent Pak - Turk MOU points to Bombardier Global 6000 jet aircraft into a SOJ stand-off jammer with the Turkish TUSAŞ.

Specialized aircraft attributes​

• The longest maintenance intervals among its competitors
• Best-in-class power generation without modification
• Cooling capabilities for critical mission equipment
• Proven external shapes and modifications including additional antennae, sensors, & radars required for key missions
• Full compliance with all existing CNS/ATM mandates, and capable of steep approach and operating on challenging runways

Spectrum Battle Management Suite (SBMS)

• Threat library generation
• Mission planning
• Intuitive map centric user interface
• Post mission analysis
• Integrated ESM functionality
• Open architecture

The AESA- and DRFM-based system proposed would allow crew for effective digital targeting and jamming of a signal, and is able to jam over ten threats simultaneously and offer protection against attack from multiple sources. It can be controlled from an aircraft cockpit, and can integrate with existing interfaces.




Another important capability is the 360° electronic support measures (ESM) capability – that passively detects and identifies threats – can be operating in the background, cross-referencing with an existing library to alert the pilot to what it considers to be a threat.

The system being developed for PAF would reportedly include Next Gen DRFM digital radar frequency memory systems, Sub systems for scanning an area for all enemy radar and communications transmissions & performing offensive ECM
Electronic countermeasures tasks. "

 

[CSAW]

 

[CSAW]

 

[air marshal]

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[studsmart]

It seems DA20 is being phased out to be replaced by KE03, upgraded to an advanced electronic warfare platform, along with additional Global 6000 EW platforms. A mix of 4 KE03 EW and 3 Global 6000 will serve a long purpose for some time to come; it's a good strategy. Nevertheless, DA20 is now an old platform. Even though the EW equipment is newer, it needs to be replaced. There is a possibility of transferring some new EW technology from DA20 to KE03EW.