SOURCE: AFI
In a landmark event for aerial warfare, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully utilized its S-400 air defense system to shoot down a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Saab Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft at an unprecedented range of 280-300 km. This record-breaking surface-to-air missile (SAM) kill, which occurred on June 5, 2025, has effectively imposed a 200 km no-fly zone along the International Border (IB), drastically altering the operational dynamics for PAF’s airborne assets.
The S-400 Triumph, acquired by India from Russia in a $5.43 billion deal in 2018, has proven its long-range engagement capabilities in this operation. Deployed by the IAF’s 501 Air Defence Squadron, the system detected and tracked the PAF Saab Erieye—a variant of the Saab 2000 equipped with the Erieye radar—while it was conducting surveillance over Pakistani airspace. At approximately 7:00 AM IST on June 5, 2025, the S-400 fired a 48N6E3 missile, which successfully intercepted the Erieye at a range of 280-300 km, marking the longest confirmed SAM kill in military history. This surpasses previous records, such as the S-300’s 150 km kill of a Ukrainian aircraft in 2022, and underscores the S-400’s ability to engage high-value targets at extreme distances.
The downing of the Saab Erieye has had immediate repercussions for PAF operations. The Erieye, a critical asset for early warning, command, and control, was likely monitoring Indian airspace when it was targeted. Its loss, combined with the demonstrated range of the S-400, has forced the PAF to reassess its operational strategy. Sources indicate that PAF AEW&C, Communications Intelligence (COMINT), and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) aircraft will now avoid flying within 200 km of the IB to evade the S-400’s engagement envelope. This effectively creates a no-fly zone over a significant portion of Pakistani airspace, severely limiting the PAF’s ability to conduct aerial surveillance and coordinate operations near the border.
India currently operates three S-400 regiments, with two more expected by 2026, covering key sectors along its western and northern borders. The system’s 400 km detection range and ability to engage targets at up to 300 km with the 48N6E3 missile make it a game-changer in regional air defense. The IAF has integrated the S-400 with its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), enabling seamless target acquisition and engagement. The successful interception of the Saab Erieye demonstrates not only the system’s technical prowess but also the IAF’s growing proficiency in leveraging advanced air defense technologies to assert dominance in the region.
The PAF’s AEW&C and intelligence-gathering aircraft, such as the remaining Saab Erieyes and other ELINT platforms, are now at significant risk if they operate within 200 km of the IB. This restriction hampers Pakistan’s ability to monitor IAF movements, detect incoming strikes, and coordinate defensive operations. The loss of the Erieye, combined with earlier strikes on PAF infrastructure—such as the suspected Saab 2000 AWACS hangar at Bholari, the TPS-43J radar at Sukkur, and NG-MMCCs at Nur Khan—further weakens Pakistan’s aerial surveillance and command capabilities. The PAF may need to rely on ground-based radar systems or deploy its assets from bases further inland, both of which come with operational trade-offs.
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