SOURCE: AFI
Recent satellite imagery has shed light on the precision and impact of military airstrikes conducted by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) on Iran’s Tabriz Air Base and the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) Base Mushaf in Sargodha, Punjab. Both operations, executed with surgical accuracy, targeted critical taxiways linking aircraft hangars to runways, effectively grounding aircraft and crippling operational capabilities at these strategic air bases. The similarities between these strikes highlight a shared tactical approach aimed at neutralizing air forces by disrupting their ability to deploy aircraft, a strategy that has reshaped modern aerial warfare.
On the night of June 12 to 13, 2025, the Israeli Air Force launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran’s 2nd Tactical Air Base (TAB) in Tabriz, located in northwestern Iran. Satellite imagery, as reported by posts on X and corroborated by sources like The Study of War, shows significant damage to the taxiways connecting aircraft hangars to the runway at the Shahid Fakouri military base, which shares infrastructure with Tabriz International Airport. The strikes created craters that severed these critical pathways, rendering the base temporarily unusable for flight operations.
Tabriz Air Base is a key hub for Iran’s relatively small air force, housing MiG-29s and F-5s from the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd tactical fighter squadrons. The base’s strategic importance lies in its role in projecting air power in Iran’s northwest and supporting operations against regional adversaries. By cratering the taxiways, Israel effectively trapped aircraft on the ground, preventing takeoffs and landings. Imagery also indicates damage to buildings north of the hangars, with plumes of smoke and debris signaling the intensity of the strikes.
Iranian President Masoud Pezhakian condemned the attacks, vowing retaliation, while reports from Iran noted disruptions to nearby railway lines and the temporary closure of Tabriz’s civilian airport. The precision of the strikes, which avoided widespread destruction of aircraft but focused on infrastructure, underscores Israel’s intent to degrade Iran’s air capabilities without escalating to a broader conflict.
In a strikingly similar operation, the Indian Air Force executed precision strikes on Pakistan Air Force’s Base Mushaf in Sargodha, Punjab, on May 10, 2025, as part of Operation Sindoor. This operation was launched in retaliation for a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies and Indian firm KawaSpace, as well as analyses shared on X, revealed extensive damage to the runway and taxiways at Mushaf Air Base, a cornerstone of Pakistan’s air defense.
The imagery shows two large craters on the runway—one approximately 15 feet in radius at the midpoint and another 10 feet in radius at an intersection—effectively blocking aircraft movement from hangars to the runway. Additional damage was reported to hangars, fuel trucks, and administrative buildings, with debris and scorched terrain visible. Mushaf, home to elite squadrons operating F-16s, JF-17 Thunders, Mirage 5s, and electronic warfare aircraft like the Falcon 20, is the headquarters of PAF’s Central Air Command and hosts the Combat Commanders’ School and Airpower Centre of Excellence. Its proximity to the Kirana Hills, a suspected nuclear storage site, adds to its strategic significance.
The IAF’s strikes, likely involving BrahMos air-launched cruise missiles and DRDO’s Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW), were designed to cripple PAF’s operational capacity. By targeting the runway and taxiways, the IAF grounded Pakistan’s most advanced fighter jets, disrupting flight operations for hours or days until repairs could be completed. Indian officials, including Air Marshal AK Bharti, emphasized the “measured and calibrated” nature of the strikes, which aimed to degrade military infrastructure while avoiding escalation near sensitive nuclear sites.
The Israeli and Indian strikes share a common playbook: precision targeting of taxiways and runways to immobilize enemy air forces. By cratering these critical links, both air forces achieved a disproportionate impact, rendering advanced aircraft inoperable without directly destroying them. This approach minimizes collateral damage while maximizing operational disruption, as grounded aircraft cannot engage in combat or reconnaissance missions.
- Precision Munitions: Israel likely used advanced guided munitions, possibly including Mossad-deployed precision systems, to strike Tabriz. Similarly, India employed BrahMos missiles and SAAW bombs, designed specifically to crater runways and disable airfields.
- Strategic Messaging: Both operations sent clear signals to adversaries. Israel’s strikes on Tabriz demonstrated its ability to penetrate Iranian airspace and target key military assets, while India’s strikes on Mushaf underscored its reach deep into Pakistan, hitting a base 200 km from the border.
- Minimizing Escalation: By focusing on infrastructure rather than aircraft or personnel, both nations avoided actions that could trigger all-out war. India explicitly denied targeting nuclear facilities at Kirana Hills, and Israel’s strikes spared Tabriz’s civilian airport from total destruction.
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