SOURCE: AFI
Amid escalating tensions with India following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians, the Pakistan Navy has reportedly requested the deployment of 12 Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 Block 52 fighter jets to defend its ports and warships against potential attacks from the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K carrier-based fighters.
This request, reported by defense sources close to AFI, comes as India deploys its aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, in the Arabian Sea, signaling robust maritime power projection. However, the F-16 Block 52, primarily a land-based multirole fighter, lacks configuration and expertise for anti-ship missions over open waters, raising questions about the Pakistan Navy’s strategy. This article analyzes the rationale, feasibility, and implications of this deployment, situating it within the broader context of India-Pakistan naval and air dynamics.
Pakistan’s naval capabilities are limited, with only two of five submarines operational and a reliance on Chinese and Turkish vessels still in delivery, per Admiral Dinesh Tripathi’s remarks in ThePrint. The Pakistan Navy’s lack of aircraft carriers and dedicated carrier-based fighters leaves it vulnerable to India’s naval aviation, prompting the unusual request for PAF F-16 Block 52 jets to bolster coastal defense.
The Pakistan Navy has specifically requested the deployment of 12 F-16 Block 52 jets, part of the PAF’s fleet of 18 advanced F-16C/D variants acquired from the United States between 2006 and 2010. These jets, equipped with AN/APG-68(V)9 radar, AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM missiles (100 km range), and precision-guided munitions, are among the PAF’s most capable platforms to counter potential MiG-29K strikes on Pakistan’s naval infrastructure, particularly its ports, which handle 60% of its maritime trade, and warships like the Type 054A/P frigates.
The F-16 Block 52’s multirole capabilities include air-to-air combat and precision strikes, demonstrated in the 2019 Balakot skirmish, where a PAF F-16 downed an Indian MiG-21 Bison using an AMRAAM missile. However, the Pakistan Navy’s request hinges on deploying these jets from airbases near Karachi, such as PAF Base Faisal or Masroor, to intercept MiG-29K formations or conduct defensive patrols over coastal waters.
The F-16 Block 52 is not equipped with dedicated anti-ship missiles like the AGM-84 Harpoon or Exocet, which are standard for maritime strike roles. While it can carry precision-guided bombs and AIM-120 AMRAAMs, these are optimized for land-based or air-to-air engagements, not over-water operations against moving naval targets. The Indian Navy’s MiG-29K, by contrast, is armed with Kh-35 anti-ship missiles and Rampage missiles, tailored for striking ships and coastal infrastructure.
PAF pilots lack specialized training for over-water operations, unlike Indian Navy pilots who regularly conduct carrier-based missions, including night landings on INS Vikrant, as reported by Hindustan Times in May 2023. Maritime strike missions demand expertise in low-altitude navigation, radar-guided targeting over water, and coordination with naval assets—skills not typically emphasized in PAF training, which focuses on air superiority and ground attack.
Deploying F-16s over the Arabian Sea extends their range from coastal bases, reducing loiter time and increasing fuel demands. The F-16’s combat radius of approximately 550 km (without external tanks) limits its effectiveness against Indian carriers operating at standoff distances, potentially 200–300 km from Pakistan’s coast.
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