SOURCE: AFI


Recent satellite imagery has provided compelling evidence that the hangar destroyed during an Indian Air Force (IAF) strike at Pakistan’s Bholari Air Base was likely housing a Saab 2000 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. The images, comparing the hangars at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bases in Kamra and Bholari, reveal striking similarities in size and structure, fueling speculation about the strategic target of the IAF operation.
The images show two hangars: one at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, labeled “PAC Karma,” and the other at Bholari Air Base, marked “bholari.” Both hangars measure approximately 50×50 meters and share an identical structural design. At PAC Kamra, the hangar is known to house a Saab 2000 AWACS, as evidenced by the aircraft visible in the imagery alongside the hangar. The Bholari hangar, which was targeted and reportedly destroyed in the IAF strike, matches the Kamra hangar in both dimensions and layout, strongly suggesting it was used for a similar purpose.
The Saab 2000 AWACS is a critical asset for the Pakistan Air Force, providing advanced aerial surveillance, command, and control capabilities. If the Bholari hangar indeed housed such an aircraft, its destruction would represent a significant blow to Pakistan’s air defense capabilities. The IAF strike, which reportedly took place in a precise operation, underscores India’s focus on neutralizing high-value military assets that could be used to monitor its airspace and coordinate defensive or offensive operations.
The Saab 2000 AWACS, operated by the PAF, is equipped with the Erieye radar system, capable of detecting aircraft, missiles, and other threats at long ranges. Pakistan acquired these systems to bolster its early warning capabilities, particularly in response to regional tensions with India. The aircraft are typically stationed in secure, dedicated hangars to protect them from preemptive strikes—a precaution that may have been undermined by the IAF’s targeted operation at Bholari.
The IAF has a history of conducting precision strikes to degrade Pakistan’s military capabilities, most notably during the 2019 Balakot airstrike. The destruction of the Bholari hangar, if confirmed to have housed a Saab 2000 AWACS, would mark another successful operation aimed at disrupting Pakistan’s ability to maintain situational awareness in a potential conflict. The identical hangar designs at Kamra and Bholari suggest that the PAF follows a standardized infrastructure for its AWACS fleet, making such facilities identifiable targets for intelligence-driven operations.
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