SOURCE: AFI
In a significant development during a recent conflict, the Indian Air Force (IAF) reportedly employed the long-range 40N6E missile, part of its advanced S-400 air defense system, to target a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) SAAB Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. According to sources close to idrw.org, the engagement, which occurred at an unprecedented range of nearly 300 km, forced the PAF to drastically reduce the operational use of its AWACS fleet, altering the dynamics of the aerial theater.
The 40N6E missile, designed for the Russian-made S-400 Triumf system, is capable of engaging targets at distances up to 400 km, making it one of the longest-range air defense missiles in the world. IAF sources indicate that the S-400’s sophisticated radar systems detected the PAF’s SAAB AWACS operating well within Pakistani airspace, at a standoff distance of approximately 300 km. In a bold move, the IAF launched a single 40N6E missile, the debris of which was later found in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.
While the missile’s engagement at such an extreme range reportedly had a low kill probability, the psychological and operational impact on the PAF was profound. The attack created significant alarm within PAF ranks, prompting them to impose severe restrictions on the use of their SAAB AWACS aircraft for the remainder of the conflict. This curtailment of AWACS operations limited the PAF’s situational awareness and command-and-control capabilities, providing the IAF with a tactical advantage.
Capitalizing on this disruption, the IAF conducted a precision strike on a PAF hangar where SAAB AWACS operators were stationed. The attack resulted in injuries to several PAF personnel and the death of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Squadron Leader named Usman Yousuf who was overseeing efforts to restore the AWACS system to operational status. The strike further compounded the PAF’s challenges, degrading their ability to effectively monitor and respond to IAF movements.
The successful use of the 40N6E missile underscores the IAF’s growing proficiency with the S-400 system, which has significantly bolstered India’s air defense capabilities since its induction. The system’s ability to detect and engage targets at extreme ranges has evidently shifted the balance in India’s favor, forcing adversaries to rethink their operational strategies.
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