SOURCE: AFI
In a series of meticulously planned operations during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully destroyed 10 air defense radars operated by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistani Army, marking a significant blow to Pakistan’s aerial defense network. The attacks, part of Operation Sindoor conducted in early May 2025, involved two prolonged assault phases and showcased the IAF’s advanced Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) capabilities.
The PAF’s attempt to evade detection by switching off the radars proved futile, as IAF’s Israeli-made Harop loitering munitions and Rampage air-to-ground missiles effectively targeted and neutralized both Chinese and American radar systems, exposing vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s air defense strategy.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, as a retaliatory response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, saw the IAF execute precision strikes on Pakistani military targets, including airbases and radar installations. The campaign’s SEAD phase aimed to blind Pakistan’s air defense grid, enabling subsequent strikes on terrorist infrastructure and PAF assets. The IAF deployed Harop loitering munitions, designed to home in on active radar emissions and destroy them through precision dives, alongside the Rampage missile, a standoff weapon with a 150-kilometer range capable of engaging fortified targets with high accuracy.
The operation unfolded over two extended attack waves, with the IAF leveraging real-time intelligence and electronic warfare to pinpoint radar locations. Despite the PAF and Pakistani Army attempting to mitigate detection by powering down several radars, the Harop’s autonomous loitering capability allowed it to linger over target areas, striking once the systems were reactivated or identified through secondary signatures. The Rampage missile, launched from IAF fighter jets like the Rafale and Su-30 MKI, complemented these efforts by delivering devastating blows to radar sites that remained operational or were hastily brought back online.
The IAF’s strikes decimated a mix of Chinese and American radar systems, highlighting the diverse yet vulnerable nature of Pakistan’s air defense network. Among the destroyed assets were Chinese-supplied YLC-8E anti-stealth radars and HQ-9 battery-associated systems, known for their advanced detection capabilities against stealth aircraft. The YLC-8E, a UHF-band radar with a claimed 500-kilometer range, was neutralized at Chunian Air Base, while HQ-9 radar components in Lahore were also hit, undermining Pakistan’s layered defense grid.
American-origin systems, including AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radars and older AN/TPS-43 systems, suffered significant losses as well. These radars, part of Pakistan’s inventory from decades of U.S. military aid, were targeted at bases like Sargodha and Murid, where their lower resilience to modern SEAD tactics was exposed. The combined loss of these systems has left critical gaps in Pakistan’s ability to detect and engage Indian aircraft, particularly in the eastern theater near the Line of Control (LoC).
The PAF’s decision to switch off radars during the attacks was a tactical maneuver to evade the Harop’s radar-homing capabilities. However, this strategy backfired as the IAF adapted by using a combination of electronic intelligence (ELINT), satellite imagery, and ground-based cues to locate the dormant systems. Once reactivated, the radars became vulnerable to the Harop’s precision strikes, with multiple units destroyed mid-operation. The Rampage missile further compounded the damage, targeting radar sites with its ability to penetrate hardened defenses, even when partially shielded or relocated.
Pakistan’s claim of downing Indian drones and missiles, including Harops, has been met with skepticism, as debris analysis and satellite imagery from the conflict zone reveal extensive radar damage. The PAF’s reliance on Chinese and American technology, without sufficient indigenous countermeasures, proved inadequate against India’s integrated SEAD approach, which combined loitering munitions, standoff weapons, and electronic jamming.
The destruction of 10 air defense radars has severely disrupted Pakistan’s Comprehensive Layered Integrated Air Defence (CLIAD) system, reducing its capacity to monitor Indian airspace and protect key installations. Bases such as Nur Khan, Rahimyar Khan, and Pasrur, which housed these radars, now face heightened vulnerability, forcing the PAF to reposition assets and rely on rearward bases. The loss of both Chinese and American systems also raises questions about the interoperability and resilience of Pakistan’s defense imports, potentially straining its strategic partnerships.
For India, the operation demonstrates a maturing SEAD doctrine, blending indigenous and imported technologies like the S-400, Akash, and Harop-Rampage combination. The ability to neutralize advanced radars without significant losses underscores the IAF’s operational superiority and its capacity to conduct deep strikes with impunity. This success may prompt India to further invest in SEAD capabilities, including the development of indigenous loitering munitions and enhanced electronic warfare systems.
While the IAF’s achievements are evident, the prolonged nature of the attacks suggests Pakistan’s air defenses mounted some resistance, possibly delaying Indian objectives. The PAF’s claims of intercepting Harops and the use of hypersonic missiles against Indian assets, like the alleged S-400 strike in Adampur, remain unverified and are likely part of a disinformation campaign to offset the damage. Independent analyses, including satellite imagery, largely support India’s narrative of radar destruction, though the exact number of systems hit and their operational status post-attack warrant further scrutiny.
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