The Pakistan Air Force’s use of an indigenous data link played a crucial role in its stunning success during recent aerial combat with India. In an operation that made global headlines, PAF shot down six Indian fighter jets — including highly advanced French-made Rafales — using an integrated, homegrown system that surprised even close allies.
The Turning Point in Air Warfare
The induction of Rafale jets had initially tilted air superiority in India’s favor. However, the game changed under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, who introduced a multi-domain warfare strategy soon after taking command in 2021.
PAF’s strategy combined traditional air power with cyber, space, and electromagnetic operations. The military established new commands—PAF Cyber Command and PAF Space Command—and launched the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP) to support domestic innovation.
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Data Link Integration
The heart of this modernization was the development of an indigenous data link. This allowed seamless integration of radar and surveillance systems from multiple countries, overcoming the challenge of disparate technologies. For the first time, PAF’s command center could view real-time enemy activity and direct responses across all domains.
The Combat Unfolds
During the night of April 28–29, Pakistani systems detected four Rafales taking off from Indian-occupied Kashmir. The PAF command was watching in real-time. Jamming systems forced the Indian jets to retreat.
The critical test came on May 6–7, when 72 Indian fighter jets, including 14 Rafales, were detected preparing to launch strikes. PAF tracked their movement via electronic IDs. Once Indian missiles entered Pakistani airspace, engagement protocols were activated.
Thanks to the integrated data link, PAF pilots received precise targeting data. Rafales were downed in combat — a first in military history — and China’s technology, deployed alongside indigenous systems, outperformed Western hardware.
Preparing for the Future
While Chinese support was vital, PAF insiders credit the indigenous systems with making the decisive difference. “This was a victory of innovation and preparation,” a senior officer noted. “But we’re already planning for what comes next.
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