Pakistan Air Force’s Rise: From WWII Legacy to Multi-Domain Mastery

In the most recent flare-up between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) stunned defense analysts with its sophisticated tactics and effective combat performance. Central to its success was the use of Chinese J-10C fighters armed with long-range PL-15 missiles. But what truly distinguished the PAF was its seamless execution of multi-domain operations — a concept that integrates air, ground, electronic, and cyber capabilities.

Unlike regional rivals, the PAF has spent the last decade steadily building this competency, making it the first South Asian air force to apply the doctrine in real combat. This achievement reflects not just recent upgrades, but the result of nearly 80 years of institutional growth, foreign partnerships, and doctrinal evolution.

Shared Origins, Diverging Paths

Both the PAF and the Indian Air Force (IAF) trace their roots to the Royal Indian Air Force during British rule. Yet, after partition in 1947, their trajectories diverged. Pakistan’s air force fought in four wars — 1947–48, 1965, 1971, and later in the 2019 Balakot–Pulwama clashes, as well as the April 2025 Pahalgam aerial battle — gradually earning a reputation for punching above its weight.

Early on, however, the PAF was plagued with inexperience. Veteran accounts from the book The Eagles of Destiny reveal that discipline was poor, flying standards immature, and accident rates high — common challenges for a fledgling post-war force. In contrast, the IAF expanded rapidly with strong political backing, but its focus remained on acquiring platforms rather than building doctrine.

Laying the Foundations: Training Over Quantity

PAF’s first chief, AVM Atcherley, chose quality over size. Instead of rushing to expand, he emphasized training, cadet recruitment, and discipline. This cautious yet strategic choice set the tone for decades: Pakistan would compensate for its smaller fleet with better-trained pilots, clear doctrine, and innovative tactics.

This approach crystallized under Air Vice-Marshal Asghar Khan, who gave the PAF its first doctrinal motto: “Train to fight outnumbered.” Backed by U.S. military aid in the 1950s and 60s, Pakistan received F-86 Sabres, B-57 Canberras, and later F-104 Starfighters. Alongside the hardware came exposure to Western-style operational planning, creating a professional culture that prepared the PAF for its legendary role in the 1965 war, where it stood firm against a numerically superior IAF.

From Defensive Posture to Indigenous Innovation

The 1971 war and the loss of East Pakistan were defining moments. With limited Western support, the PAF turned to China and France, inducting platforms like the F-6, A-5, and Mirage III. Despite mixed fleets and resource constraints, Pakistani engineers upgraded aircraft, developed indigenous tactics, and improvised integration between radars, SAMs, and strike missions.

This adaptability fostered a culture of innovation, laying the groundwork for integrated battle planning — the precursor to modern multi-domain operations.

F-16s and the Era of Networked Warfare

The 1980s brought the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a game-changer that introduced real-time data exchange, advanced avionics, and multirole capabilities. More than just a new jet, the F-16 symbolized the PAF’s shift toward networked warfare. Pilots gained unprecedented situational awareness through AWACS and radar-linked systems, setting the stage for operations like those later seen over Kashmir.

However, U.S. sanctions in the 1990s exposed the risks of reliance on a single supplier. In response, Pakistan deepened its strategic partnership with China, collaborating on the co-development of the JF-17 Thunder — a cost-effective, customizable, and locally produced fighter.

The JF-17 and the Move to Multi-Domain Integration

While India struggled with delays in its LCA Tejas program, Pakistan’s pragmatic JF-17 partnership paid off. Over 150 aircraft now serve in frontline squadrons, with exports to nations like Nigeria and Myanmar. Meanwhile, the PAF invested in early warning aircraft (Erieye & ZDK-03 AWACS), electronic warfare, and Link-17, Pakistan’s indigenous tactical data link.

This system allows secure, real-time communication between fighters, AWACS, and ground stations — something the IAF still lacks in a fully integrated form. By the mid-2010s, the PAF had matured into a network-centric force, no longer defined by platforms alone but by its ability to integrate across domains.

Operation Swift Retort: Proof of Concept

The 2019 post-Balakot clashes showcased this transformation. In Operation Swift Retort, Pakistani jets not only crossed into Indian airspace but also demonstrated electronic jamming, AWACS coordination, and precision strikes. The downing of an Indian MiG-21 and capture of its pilot was both a tactical and psychological victory, reinforcing the PAF’s operational credibility.

Today, with the induction of the J-10C fighter equipped with AESA radar and PL-15 long-range missiles, the PAF has achieved parity — and in certain aspects, superiority — over its Indian counterpart.

Looking Ahead: Fifth-Gen and Beyond

Both nations now eye the future with fifth-generation projects: India’s AMCA and Pakistan’s Project AZM. Yet modern airpower will go far beyond manned jets. The next phase will hinge on cyber warfare, AI-driven systems, UAVs, and space assets. For Pakistan, the challenge remains sustaining its edge with limited resources while maintaining its agility and professionalism.

Conclusion

The story of the Pakistan Air Force is one of resilience, adaptation, and evolution. From its WWII-style beginnings to its mastery of multi-domain operations, the PAF has consistently leveraged quality, alliances, and innovation to counterbalance India’s larger numbers. In doing so, it has emerged as a regional airpower that commands global respect.