In one of his historical visits to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Station Risalpur on 13 April 1948, Quaid-e-Azam made a statement that would set the future trajectory of the country’s small yet formidable Air Force. To put it in his own words, “A country without a strong Air Force is at the mercy of any aggressor. Pakistan must rapidly build up its Air Force. It must be an efficient Air Force, Second to None.” The said directive of Quaid would not only lay the foundation for the PAF’s core values but also establish a long-term framework for its growth. Over time, these principles have guided the PAF’s development and progress, steering it toward a next-generation Air Force capable of tackling challenges.

“A country without a strong Air Force is at the mercy of any aggressor. Pakistan must rapidly build up its Air Force.” – Quaid-e-Azam

Before discussing PAF’s forthcoming acquisition of the fifth-generation J-35 Gyrfalcon fighter aircraft and how it will consolidate PAF’s position as a next-generation Air Force, it is important to contextualise this development within a broader historical framework. In the recent past, PAF has maintained a consistent edge over its adversaries, primarily the Indian Air Force (IAF), owing to its proactive and timely adoption of sophisticated technology and an advanced multidomain training of its pilots. However, this trend has gained new impetus under the incumbent Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber, under whose stewardship, the PAF has become a next-generation Air Force.

It is not an exaggeration; rather, it is a fact. Consider Pakistan’s fighter fleet, for that matter, which is the core of any air force. According to data available in open sources, today, PAF fields approximately 479 fighter aircraft. These include advanced machines such as J-10Cs, JF-17s, and F-16s. However, what will strengthen PAF’s position as a next-generation Air Force is the likely induction of 40 fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter aircraft, the J-35 Gyrfalcon.

According to experts, the PAF is expected to operate this fifth-generation fighter aircraft by the end of 2026, which is no less than a feat, given that these advanced machines will be inducted in a record time frame, which is made possible by the PAF leadership. It is also worth mentioning here that there is only a handful of the most advanced Air Forces in the world, which are currently operating fifth-generation fighter jets.

Moreover, mastery of the EW domain is another key characteristic of a next-generation Air Force in contemporary times, in which the PAF has made significant development in recent years. To provide a glimpse, PAF possesses dedicated EW aircraft and ground-based jammers, and also has pod-based EW on fighter jets.  In addition to that, under the guidance of the current Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber Sidhu, PAF has also established dedicated research facilities such as the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP), which is spearheading the research work on cognitive EW that includes sub domains such as signal classification and real-time deception techniques.

“What will really strengthen PAF’s position as a next-generation Air Force is the likely induction of 40 fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter aircraft, the J-35 Gyrfalcon.”

The recent military standoff between Pakistan and India bears testimony to the fact that the PAF has matured in the domain of EW.  For instance, during Zarb-e-Karar, the PAF effectively exhibited its superior EW capabilities by jamming, disrupting, and intercepting the communication of the advanced Indian fighter jets, such as Rafale, which is armed with an advanced EW system, such as SPECTRA, that enhances the aircraft’s survivability and combat effectiveness by countering electronic warfare threats from adversaries. Subsequently, the PAF shot down seven Indian fighter jets along with a UAV.

While current modernisation efforts are indeed impressive, the PAF must also proactively prepare for the challenges that might arise in the future. For instance, the likely induction of the J-35 Gyrfalcon will undoubtedly give PAF an advantage over its adversary; however, as they say, every new technology invites a counter technology. Several countries, including China, claim to have developed or are developing advanced radar systems capable of detecting stealth aircraft, thereby challenging the long-term viability of a stealth-based advantage.

Moreover, the hypersonic glide vehicles and missiles still present a significant challenge, due to their extreme speed and manoeuvrability. These missiles compress critical reaction times and often bypass traditional missile defence systems. In the process, it creates a level of vulnerability for strategic assets.

“The recent military standoff between Pakistan and India bears testimony to the fact that the PAF has matured in the domain of EW.”

Reflecting on these points, it can be argued that the PAF is a force that has been forged in adversity and refined through discipline. It bears all the hallmarks of a next-generation air force. Though the challenges are there, however, they are not insurmountable. Keeping in view the PAF’s long-held tradition, there is every reason to believe that the PAF will once again rise to meet these challenges with the same resolve that has long defined its institutional ethos. The final verdict: As the future of aerial warfare rapidly approaches, the PAF, by a next-generation air force under the stewardship of the incumbent Chief of Air Staff, stands not only fully prepared but actively advancing to meet the challenges ahead.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.