SOURCE: AFI
A recent Chinese video circulating on social media platforms, including X, showcases a simulation depicting the downing of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighter jet using the “A-shoots-B-guides” concept, a networked warfare tactic emphasizing coordination between fighter jets and Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
The video, touted as a demonstration of advanced Chinese military technology, has sparked debate due to its bold claims and apparent inaccuracies regarding equipment and missile capabilities.
The “A-Shoots-B-Guides” Concept Explained
The simulation illustrates a sophisticated air combat strategy designed to minimize detection and maximize lethality. In the scenario:
- Enemy Detection: An AWACS aircraft, equipped with a radar less likely to alert enemy defenses, detects the IAF Rafale jet from a safe distance.
- Data Sharing: The AWACS relays precise target data to a fighter jet, likely a Chinese-made J-10C in the simulation, via a secure data link.
- Passive Missile Launch: The fighter jet fires a long-range air-to-air missile, such as the PL-15, without activating its own radar, reducing the risk of being detected by the Rafale’s advanced RBE2-AA AESA radar or SPECTRA electronic warfare suite.
- Mid-Flight Guidance: The AWACS guides the missile during its mid-course phase, using its radar to provide real-time updates on the Rafale’s position.
- Terminal Homing: The missile’s active radar seeker activates only in the final moments, locking onto and striking the Rafale.
This tactic, if executed effectively, could allow a force to engage high-value targets like the Rafale—a 4.5-generation multirole fighter known for its advanced avionics and Meteor missile—while maintaining a low electronic signature. The video suggests Pakistan Air Force (PAF) J-10C jets, supported by AWACS, could employ this strategy against IAF assets.
The Video’s Claims and Context
The simulation appears to draw inspiration from the May 2025 India-Pakistan clashes during India’s Operation Sindoor, where Pakistan claimed to have downed multiple IAF jets, including Rafales, using J-10C fighters and PL-15 missiles. Chinese state media and military bloggers have amplified these claims, framing the J-10C and PL-15 as superior to Western systems like the Rafale and its Meteor missile.
The video specifically highlights a scenario where a Rafale is downed at an alleged range of 182 kilometers, a distance cited in some Pakistani sources as a record-breaking kill enabled by the PL-15’s long range and AWACS coordination. The narrative aligns with Chinese propaganda efforts to showcase the prowess of its military technology, particularly in networked warfare, and to bolster the reputation of systems exported to allies like Pakistan.
Critical Flaws in the Simulation
Despite its polished presentation, the video contains significant inaccuracies that undermine its credibility:
- Incorrect AWACS Platform:
- The simulation prominently features a Chinese ZDK-03 AWACS, also known as the Karakoram Eagle, coordinating the attack. However, Pakistan retired its four ZDK-03 AWACS in 2024, replacing them with an expanded fleet of Swedish-made Saab 2000 Erieye AWACS. By early 2025, the PAF operated nine Saab 2000 Erieye aircraft, equipped with AESA radars offering 270-degree coverage and a surveillance range exceeding 450 kilometers.
- The use of the ZDK-03 in the video is a glaring error, as it does not reflect the PAF’s current inventory. While the ZDK-03 was designed to integrate with Chinese systems like the J-10C, the Saab 2000 Erieye is a NATO-standard platform, potentially less optimized for seamless data-sharing with Chinese missiles like the PL-15. This discrepancy suggests the video prioritizes propaganda over technical accuracy.
- Missile Range Exaggeration:
- The video claims the Rafale was downed at 182 kilometers using a PL-15 missile. The PL-15, a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile, is a formidable weapon with a dual-pulse motor and active radar seeker. However, Pakistan operates the PL-15E, an export variant with a reported range of 145 kilometers, significantly less than the domestic Chinese version’s estimated 200–300 kilometers.
- A 182-kilometer kill would exceed the PL-15E’s maximum range, especially considering real-world factors like target maneuvering, electronic countermeasures, and atmospheric conditions. The Rafale’s SPECTRA suite, which includes jamming and decoy systems, would further complicate a long-range shot. The claim appears exaggerated, possibly to inflate the perceived superiority of Chinese weaponry.
- Lack of Evidence for Rafale Losses:
- The video’s narrative hinges on Pakistan’s unverified claims of downing IAF Rafales during the 2025 clashes. While Pakistani officials and Chinese media reported up to five IAF jets downed, including Rafales, India has consistently denied these losses. No conclusive evidence, such as wreckage or ejection seat recovery, has been publicly verified to support Pakistan’s claims.
- A French intelligence source and U.S. officials cited by Western media acknowledged the possibility of one Rafale being downed, but these reports remain unconfirmed. The simulation’s depiction of a Rafale kill may be an embellishment of these disputed events.
Strategic Implications and Propaganda Value
The video serves as a propaganda tool to promote Chinese military technology and assert its dominance over Western systems. By showcasing the J-10C and PL-15 in a simulated victory over the Rafale, China aims to:
- Boost Export Prospects: The J-10C and PL-15 are marketed to countries like Pakistan, Indonesia, and potentially Colombia. A perceived combat success against a high-profile platform like the Rafale could attract buyers, despite the simulation’s inaccuracies.
- Undermine Western Systems: The video challenges the reputation of the Rafale and its Meteor missile, which has a range of over 150 kilometers and a large no-escape zone. By framing Chinese systems as superior, China seeks to erode confidence in Western defense manufacturers like Dassault Aviation and MBDA.
- Reinforce Regional Narratives: The simulation aligns with Chinese and Pakistani narratives of technological superiority over India, a key regional rival. It also highlights China’s “all-weather” alliance with Pakistan, emphasizing integrated warfare capabilities.
However, the video’s flaws risk undermining its propaganda value. The incorrect depiction of the ZDK-03 AWACS and the implausible missile range claim expose a lack of attention to detail, potentially inviting skepticism from informed audiences. Military analysts may view the simulation as an oversimplification of complex air combat dynamics, where pilot skill, electronic warfare, and situational awareness often outweigh platform capabilities.
The Reality of AWACS and Missile Integration
The “A-shoots-B-guides” concept is not unique to Chinese systems. Modern air forces, including the U.S., NATO, and India, employ similar networked tactics using AWACS and data links. The PAF’s Saab 2000 Erieye, for instance, is designed to network with fighters like the J-10C and JF-17, providing guidance for PL-15 missiles via two-way data links.
India’s IAF operates three IL-76 Phalcon AWACS and two Embraer Netra AEW&C aircraft, which integrate with Rafale and Su-30 MKI jets. The Rafale’s Meteor missile, with its advanced ramjet propulsion, is optimized for BVR engagements and can be guided by AWACS or ground-based radars. The IAF’s focus on sensor fusion and network-centric warfare suggests it is well-equipped to counter tactics like those depicted in the simulation.
The loss of a PAF Saab 2000 Erieye during Operation Sindoor, reportedly to an IAF BrahMos missile strike or S-400 system, highlights the vulnerability of AWACS platforms in contested environments. This incident, confirmed by satellite imagery and Pakistani sources, underscores the high-stakes nature of modern air warfare, where both sides target command-and-control assets.
Conclusion
The Chinese simulation video depicting the downing of an IAF Rafale using the “A-shoots-B-guides” concept is a bold attempt to showcase China’s military technology and regional influence. However, its reliance on a retired ZDK-03 AWACS and an exaggerated PL-15E missile range undermines its credibility. While the “A-shoots-B-guides” tactic is theoretically sound, the video oversimplifies the complexities of air combat and ignores the PAF’s actual reliance on Swedish Saab 2000 Erieye AWACS.
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