On the evening of May 8, Pakistan tried to attack Indian military bases in places like Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur. In response, India acted quickly and strongly. Indian forces destroyed Pakistani fighter jets, drones, and missiles — and even shot down a very important Pakistani surveillance aircraft called AWACS.
Media reports say the AWACS was shot down in Pakistan’s Punjab province, along with three fighter jets — two Chinese JF-17s and one American F-16. These attacks from Pakistan included drones and missiles aimed at Indian states like Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir. However, India’s defence system destroyed all of them, and thankfully, no one was killed.
India’s air defence also shot down 8 missiles. While drones and missiles get a lot of media attention, the AWACS is a key part of planning and coordinating attacks in the air. Losing it is a big blow to Pakistan’s military. This incident has made things harder for Pakistan, which is already facing many internal problems, including a weak economy.
About AWACS
AWACS stands for Airborne Warning and Control System. It’s a special kind of aircraft that acts like a flying radar station and command centre.
How does it work?
Big radar on top: These planes have a large round radar dish on top. It helps them watch the sky and the ground in all directions (360 degrees).
Sees far: They can detect enemy planes, drones, and missiles from a very long distance—much farther than ground-based radars.
Acts as command centre: AWACS planes can guide fighter jets and air defence systems by giving them real-time updates during combat.
Modified passenger planes: These are usually regular big airplanes (like old passenger jets) that are upgraded with advanced radar, sensors, and communication systems.
Why are they important?
Early warning: They spot threats early and alert the defence forces so India can respond quickly.
Coordinate operations: They help manage air battles and coordinate between the army, air force, and navy.
Better than ground radars: Because they fly high in the sky, they can see much farther than radars on the ground (which are limited by the Earth’s curve).
Real-time information: They send important information to commanders and fighter pilots during missions.
AWACS: The Flying Radar That Sees All and Commands the Sky
Radar System
AWACS planes have a big round radar on top — like a spinning dish or a panel. This radar is the most important part. It helps the plane spot aircraft, drones, and missiles from very far away, in every direction. These radars work on special radio waves (called L-band or S-band) which are great for long-range tracking.
Pakistan’s AWACS uses a radar called Erieye, which scans electronically (called AESA radar).
India’s AWACS, made with help from Russia and Israel, uses a radar called EL/W-2090, which can see more than 400 kilometers in every direction.
America’s E-3 Sentry AWACS has a large 30-foot radar dish that can track low-flying planes from 370 km away and even watch over the sea.
The radar collects all this information and sends it to computers inside the plane.
Command and Control Consoles:
Inside the AWACS, there are special computer stations (like work desks with screens). Military experts sit there and:
Watch for enemy threats in real time
Tell fighter jets where to go
Help track targets and guide missions
This setup allows AWACS to act like a flying control room, helping the military respond quickly to threats and manage air battles smartly.
Command and Control Consoles:
Inside the AWACS aircraft, there are several computer stations where trained officers sit. These experts:
Watch the airspace in real time
Help guide fighter jets to stop enemy aircraft
Track threats and coordinate military missions
They work together like a flying command center.
Secure Communication Systems:
AWACS planes use special, secure communication systems to stay connected with:
Fighter jets
Ground radars
Missile systems
Navy ships (if needed)
These systems use encrypted (secret and safe) data links like Link-17 in Pakistan or Link II in India, so that no one can hack or listen in.
Protection From Enemy Missiles (ECM):
To protect themselves, AWACS planes have special safety tools, including:
Radar warning receivers (RWRs) – they alert the crew if a radar is tracking them
Chaff and flares – shiny strips or bright lights that confuse incoming missiles
Electronic jammers and decoys – tools that send out signals to trick enemy radars or missiles
These features help the AWACS plane avoid being hit and stay safe in dangerous skies.
Key Roles AWACS Planes Play in Modern Warfare
AWACS aircraft work like flying control rooms in the sky and make any military operation much stronger. Their main jobs include:
Spotting enemy missiles and aircraft from very far away — much before ground radars can see them.
Helping guide and control friendly fighter jets in real time during a battle.
Watching a large area of the sky and even parts of the sea to track possible threats.
Sending and receiving secure messages that cannot be hacked or jammed.
These planes are very useful during fast-changing war situations. They help in quickly responding to threats, guiding fighter planes where to go, and planning air missions smoothly.
Early Warning: AWACS planes can spot enemy drones, missiles, and aircraft from very far away—long before ground radar can see them.
Battlefield Coordination: They work like flying control towers for friendly planes, helping guide them safely toward targets or away from danger.
Electronic Surveillance: These aircraft can listen in on enemy signals, radio communication, and jamming attempts to understand what the enemy is doing.
Force Multiplier: AWACS helps a smaller air force fight more effectively by giving a full view of the battlefield from the sky.
AWACS operators can also track enemy planes flying low, even in areas with mountains or buildings. A NATO report said that AWACS radars can “look down” and find targets hidden by the ground. With extra electronic systems, the crew can even figure out what type of aircraft or ship they are tracking. Besides this, AWACS planes also have high-tech equipment for navigation, communication, and data processing to support their missions.
How many AWACS does Pakistan have ?
Pakistan has several advanced aircraft used for surveillance and electronic warfare. These include Swedish Saab 2000 Erieye and Chinese ZDK-03 planes. These types of aircraft are commonly known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems).
Pakistan originally bought four Saab 2000 Erieye AWACS aircraft from Sweden between 2006 and 2020, with a few more added later to replace those lost in accidents. In total, Pakistan had nine of these Swedish planes. These aircraft help the Pakistan Air Force by providing long-range radar coverage of up to 270 degrees. The last one was delivered in July 2024.
Pakistan also bought four Chinese ZDK-03 aircraft, but these are no longer used as AWACS. In 2024, their radar and surveillance systems were removed because they didn’t work well with Pakistan’s other equipment. Now, these planes are only used for electronic warfare and support, not for tracking aircraft like AWACS.
So, as of now, Pakistan has only five Erieye aircraft that are actively used as AWACS. The Chinese planes are no longer used for that purpose. In addition, Pakistan uses 3 Dassault Falcon DA-20 jets and 1 Bombardier Global 6000 plane for electronic warfare, but these are not full AWACS either. It is still unclear whether the AWACS aircraft that India reportedly shot down during recent tensions was one of the Swedish Saab 2000 Erieye planes.
Saab 2000 Erieye
The Saab 2000 Erieye is a powerful AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft that can handle many tasks at once. It is used mainly for military purposes, but it can also help in civilian roles like border patrol or search and rescue.
This plane has a much wider view than regular ground radar. It can keep watch over a huge area — more than 500,000 square kilometers — from the air. It can also see up to a height of 60,000 feet.
The Erieye can spot and follow many different kinds of targets, such as fighter planes, helicopters, cruise missiles, and even small things like jet skis on the sea. Its radar is very accurate and updates information very quickly, helping track targets in real-time.
It has a flying range of over 2,000 nautical miles (around 3,700 kilometers) and can stay in the air for more than 9 hours without landing.
Setback for Pakistan
The world already knows that Pakistan is going through a serious economic crisis. The country is surviving with help from the IMF and other foreign countries. Things have become so bad that the Pakistani government has had to ask for more financial support, even while tensions with India are rising.
In this difficult time, losing a high-tech aircraft like the AWACS is a big setback for Pakistan. These planes are very important for any air force because they act as flying radar systems. AWACS help detect incoming threats like enemy planes or missiles from far away. Without them, the Pakistan Air Force can’t see what’s coming and becomes “blind” in the sky.
The downing of Pakistan’s AWACS by India marks a major turning point in the conflict between the two countries. This happened shortly after India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, in response to a deadly terror attack on Hindu pilgrims in Pahalgam on April 22, which was backed by Pakistan.
The loss of an AWACS not only puts Pakistan at a military disadvantage but also shows that India is now using a stronger air strategy. India is not just reacting to threats — it is also going after key enemy systems before they can be used. After Pakistan’s failed attacks, the Indian military increased night-time air patrols along the border. People in places like Akhnoor, Samba, Baramulla, and Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir reported hearing sirens and explosions.
India’s Defence Ministry said that the country is “fully ready to defend its sovereignty and protect its people” from any attacks by Pakistan.
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