SOURCE: AFI
On April 29, 2025, the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) released a video on its official X account, @DGPR_PAF , titled “Pakistan Air Force Reaffirms Unwavering Commitment to National Sovereignty & Defence Excellence.” The video, posted at 09:43 IST, aimed to showcase the PAF’s capabilities and dedication to protecting Pakistan’s sovereignty amid heightened regional tensions, particularly following India’s withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
Indian social media users, defense watchers, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts were quick to point out major blunders in the video. Among the visuals intended to portray Pakistan’s military might, the video bizarrely included:
Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which is not operated by Pakistan but by India,
A hi-tech military satellite clearly resembling imagery from foreign space programs,
And most glaringly, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket — an American commercial launch vehicle with no connection to the Pakistan Air Force.
The inclusion of the S-400 system, in particular, drew ridicule from Indian netizens, given that the system is a flagship component of India’s own air defense network, acquired from Russia. Whether the PAF team was unaware of the source or included it deliberately to imply future aspirations, the message backfired.
Similarly, the use of Falcon 9 footage — clearly identifiable by its unique launch platform and markings — puzzled viewers. Pakistan has no known collaboration with SpaceX, nor does it operate orbital-class rockets. The clip’s inclusion seemed to be a poorly masked attempt to suggest indigenous space capabilities, which Pakistan currently lacks.
Indian users on X didn’t hold back. Many reposted the video with sarcastic commentary:
- “PAF showcasing Indian S-400s in their defence video. We accept your admiration.”
- “PAF now has Falcon 9? Elon Musk must be surprised!”
- “This is not defence excellence, it’s defence daydreaming.”
Memes and edited videos further amplified the ridicule, turning what was meant to be a patriotic broadcast into a viral embarrassment.
This isn’t the first time Pakistan’s state-linked media has included stock footage or foreign military assets in official videos. From showcasing Turkish drones as their own to misrepresenting Chinese jets in patriotic montages, such missteps have become an unfortunate pattern.
While nations often use cinematic tools to bolster public morale and display military strength, credibility is key — especially in an era of instant fact-checking and eagle-eyed netizens. The Pakistan Air Force’s attempt to reaffirm its commitment to “defence excellence” might have ended up doing the opposite — highlighting a reliance on borrowed visuals rather than showcasing real, indigenous capabilities.
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