ISLAMABAD - As Pakistan marked the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq (The Battle of Truth), retired Air Commodore Dr. Zia Ul Haq Shamsi has provided a rare and detailed technical breakdown of how the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) achieved air superiority against a larger Indian force during the four-day conflict in May 2025.
Pakistan Air Force in War Explained | Ex Air Commodore Dr Zia ul Haq Shamsi | Morning Asia Spotlight#PakistanAirForce #ZiaulHaqShamsi #MorningAsia #PakistanIndiaConflict #PAF pic.twitter.com/Hknees8ngB
- ASIA ONE NEWS (@AsiaOne_News) May 6, 2026
In a series of expert analyses, the former air commodore explained that the victory was not a matter of luck or individual bravery alone, but the result of a decade-long shift toward network-centric warfare, advanced force multipliers, and a "First Shot" doctrine that revolutionized South Asian air combat.
'Beyond Usual Ranges': The End of Dogfights
According to Dr. Shamsi, the most significant lesson from Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos is that future wars will be decided by who fires first from Beyond Usual Ranges (BUR) . The PAF has moved decisively away from visual dogfights, relying instead on long-range sensors and missiles.
"By utilizing the SAAB-2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft, we effectively denied the adversary its first-strike advantage," Dr. Shamsi explained. The Erieye, equipped with an AESA radar capable of tracking targets beyond 350 kilometers, acted as the "eyes and brain" of the operation.
This allowed the PAF to launch PL-15 missiles from within Pakistani airspace, targeting Indian aircraft before they could enter their own engagement zones. The result was a compressed "kill chain"-sensor to shooter-reduced to mere seconds.
The 'Invisible Air Commander'
While fighter jets receive public acclaim, Dr. Shamsi emphasized that the real star of the war was the SAAB-2000 Erieye airborne early warning aircraft.
"During the conflict, the Erieye functioned as an airborne command post. It integrated data from ground radars, electronic warfare systems, and satellites to create a unified operational picture," he stated.
The Erieye directly vectored J-10C and JF-17 Thunder fighters to their targets using secure data links, effectively neutralizing the Indian Air Force's numerical advantage. Dr. Shamsi noted that the PAF uses a doctrinal framework called LIST3 (Leadership, Innovation, Strategy, Technology, Training, and Teamwork) to bridge the physical gap in fleet size.
Seamless Integration of Chinese, Swedish, and Turkish Technology
One of the most surprising aspects of the war, according to the former air commodore, was the seamless integration of Western (Swedish) sensor technology with Chinese combat platforms.
"The Erieye's data link architecture was compatible with the J-10C and JF-17, allowing for 'A-guide B-shoot' tactics, where one platform guides the missile for another," he explained.
In contrast, Dr. Shamsi noted that the Indian Air Force operates a mixed fleet of French, Russian, and domestic aircraft that often lack compatible data sharing, resulting in slower reaction times and increased coordination challenges.
Electronic Warfare: The HAVA SOJ Factor
A crucial but less visible component of the PAF's success was the use of offensive electronic warfare. Shortly before the conflict, Pakistan inducted modified Bombardier Global 6000 jets equipped with the Turkish HAVA SOJ stand-off jammer system.
These platforms, flying safely inside Pakistani airspace, jammed Indian communication lines and radar systems. This "soft kill" capability degraded the IAF's situational awareness, allowing PAF strike packages to penetrate undetected. As a result, Indian air defense systems-including the S-400-reportedly struggled to lock onto targets.
Asymmetric Cost Ratio
Dr. Shamsi also highlighted the economic dimension of the conflict. India is estimated to have lost multiple high-value assets, including Rafale jets costing over $200 million each, while Pakistan utilized relatively cost-effective missiles.
"The PAF's system is built for reflex action," he noted. "We were able to respond within a 5-to-10-minute window after the initial Indian strike, paralyzing the IAF's ability to launch a second wave."
Conclusion: A Doctrine for the Future
Dr. Shamsi concluded that the Pakistan Air Force's success was the culmination of a decade-long strategic shift. By investing in force multipliers like the Erieye AEW&C, integrating electronic warfare platforms, and maintaining high-intensity training-averaging 180 flight hours per pilot annually-the PAF has proven that a smaller force can achieve air superiority through strategy and technology.
"The days of one-on-one dogfights are over," he stated. "The era of the 'invisible commander' has arrived."
