SOURCE: AFI
A delegation from the Pakistan Air Force’s National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) is scheduled to visit Turkey this month to explore options for replacing the Next Gen Mobile Mission Control Centres (NG-MMCCs) that were destroyed during Indian Air Force (IAF) strikes on PAF Base Nur Khan in May 2025. This development highlights the significant setback faced by the PAF following the precision strikes and underscores Pakistan’s reliance on foreign partnerships to rebuild its critical military infrastructure.
The IAF’s Operation Sindoor, conducted between May 8 and 10, 2025, targeted multiple PAF bases, including Nur Khan in Rawalpindi, as a response to Pakistan-backed aggression. Satellite imagery and reports confirm that the strikes inflicted extensive damage, with Nur Khan—previously known as PAF Chaklala—suffering the destruction of key infrastructure. Among the casualties were two NG-MMCCs, which served as backup command and control (C2) systems for the PAF. These mobile units, developed in collaboration with Turkish military firms and PAF’s CENTAIC, were equipped with AI-based Decision Support Tools (DSTs), secure plug-and-play data/voice networking, and rapid mobility features, making them high-value assets for maintaining operational continuity in hostile scenarios.
The loss of the NG-MMCCs has left the PAF vulnerable, particularly as they were designed to function as a fallback in case the primary Air Defence Operations Centre (ADOC) and other C2 nodes were compromised. The strikes, which also damaged a C-130 transport aircraft beyond repair, demonstrate the IAF’s capability to target and neutralize critical PAF assets with precision, forcing Pakistan to urgently seek replacements.
The NASTP, a flagship project of the PAF aimed at fostering innovation in aerospace, aviation, and cyber technologies, is spearheading the effort to replace the NG-MMCCs. The delegation’s visit to Turkey this month focuses on engaging with Turkish defense firms like Havelsan or Aselsan, which have a history of collaboration with Pakistan. The original NG-MMCCs were a joint project with Turkey, and Pakistan is likely looking to procure a similar mobile command and control system to restore its operational capabilities. This move reflects Pakistan’s broader strategy of leveraging international partnerships to mitigate the impact of the IAF strikes, though it also raises questions about the PAF’s ability to independently rebuild its strategic assets.
The destruction of the NG-MMCCs, combined with the earlier loss of critical radar infrastructure like the TPS-43J at Sukkur and the suspected Saab 2000 AWACS hangar at Bholari, has significantly weakened the PAF’s command, control, and surveillance capabilities. The NG-MMCCs were integral to maintaining operational resilience, and their absence leaves the PAF exposed, particularly in the face of India’s demonstrated ability to conduct deep, precise strikes. The urgency of the NASTP delegation’s visit to Turkey underscores the strategic void left by the IAF strikes and the challenges Pakistan faces in restoring its air defense network amidst economic constraints and regional tensions.
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