SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a notable development, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has reportedly relocated half of its advanced F-16 Block 52+ fighter fleet to Pasni Airfield, located in Gwadar on the northern Arabian Sea coast. The strategic repositioning is seen as a defensive measure aimed at keeping the aircraft outside the detection and engagement envelope of India’s S-400 Triumf air defence systems.
India’s deployment of the Russian-made S-400 system—widely regarded as one of the most capable air defence platforms in the world—has significantly altered the airpower dynamics in South Asia. With its extensive radar coverage and long-range interception capabilities, the S-400 can monitor and target hostile aircraft well beyond conventional airspace boundaries, creating a formidable anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) bubble.
For the Pakistan Air Force, the risk posed by the S-400’s radar surveillance and missile engagement capabilities has prompted a re-evaluation of deployment strategies, particularly for its most valuable assets like the F-16 Block 52+ fighters. By moving a significant portion of these aircraft to Pasni Airfield, the PAF aims to shield them from the reach of the S-400 systems stationed in India’s western sectors, especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Pasni Airfield, located further southwest from the traditional PAF operational bases near the eastern border, offers geographical depth and relative safety. Its proximity to the Arabian Sea also provides additional dispersal options in the event of a crisis, potentially complicating targeting for adversaries.
While the move can be seen as a prudent measure to preserve critical air assets, it also highlights the strategic challenges faced by Pakistan in countering India’s growing air defence network. Shifting frontline fighter jets away from potential engagement zones could limit immediate airpower projection options in case of heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
This redeployment underscores the deterrent value of India’s S-400 systems, which not only provide air defence but also force adversaries into adopting defensive postures, thereby reducing their operational flexibility.
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