“The first UAV kill”
The painting depicts a PAF pilot in an F-16B of PAF No 9 Squadron “Griffins” turning back after destroying an IAF Searcher II UAV on June 7th, 2002. The PAF became the first airforce in the world to shoot down a UAV with a fighter aircraft using AIM-9L heat seeking missile.
The painting commemorates an event on the night of 7 June 2002. An Israeli-made Searcher II UAV operated by India entered Pakistani airspace near Lahore on an ISR mission during the India–Pakistan military standoff (Operation Parakram / Operation Sentinel).
PAF air-defence systems detected the slow-moving, low-signature intruder. An F-16B of No. 9 Squadron “Griffins,” flown by Squadron Leader Zulfiqar Ayub with Squadron Leader Afzal Awan as weapons systems officer, intercepted and destroyed it at about 13,000 feet with an AIM-9L Sidewinder heat-seeking missile. Debris fell near Dogran Kalan village, south-west of Lahore, and was recovered.
According to the Pakistan Air Force, this was the first time a fighter aircraft shot down a UAV at night using a heat-seeking missile—a technically demanding achievement given the target’s small size, low speed, and weak infrared signature. The event is regularly commemorated by the PAF as a milestone in its history.
Courtesy:
Aviation Art of Rehan Siraj
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