Pakistan’s AWACS destroyed in India’s BrahMos strikes, admits ex-Air Marshal: ‘missiles kept on coming’

Pakistan’s former Air Marshal Masood Akhtar has confirmed the loss of a critical surveillance aircraft during an Indian missile strike on May 9-10. The aircraft, part of Pakistan’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), was destroyed during Operation Sindoor at the Bholari airbase near Islamabad, according to a video interview shared by Frontal Force on X.

Aircraft hit during missile barrage at Bholari

“They (Indian forces) fired four back-to-back Brahmos surface-to-surface missiles or air-to-surface missiles, I am not sure. The Pakistani pilots rushed to secure their aircraft, but the missiles kept on coming, and unfortunately, the fourth one hit the hangar at Bholari airbase, where one of our AWACS was standing. It was damaged,” Akhtar said in the interview.

The AWACS aircraft plays a key role in long-range radar surveillance and coordination of air operations. It can detect aircraft, ships, vehicles, and incoming projectiles and support real-time threat assessment and response from both airborne and ground-based teams.

India launched targeted military strikes after Pahalgam attack

India initiated precision missile strikes targeting military infrastructure across Pakistan in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. In response to Pakistan’s drone attacks on Indian civilian areas, Indian forces hit radar systems, command centres, and ammunition stores in locations such as Rafiqui, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Bholari, and Sialkot.

Extent of damage confirmed by satellite images

While the Pakistani military has minimized the impact publicly, satellite images have confirmed significant damage to various military installations. The Indian military stated that this was the first time a country had successfully struck air force bases of a nuclear-armed nation.

“Within three hours, 11 bases were attacked, including Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skaru, Bholari, and Jacobabad. It was time to convey some message to the adversary... hit where it would hurt. India’s retaliation though was precise, and measured. We have the ability to target every system in the air bases, but we showed restraint to avoid escalation,” Air Marshal AK Bharti said.

Pakistan’s shift towards Chinese military gear raises questions on reliability

Recently, Pakistan’s dependence on China has grown significantly. Pakistan's heavy use of Chinese military equipment such as the HQ-9 air defence unit and PL-15 missiles signals a new direction in its military procurement strategy. While the United States and European countries continue to supply defence technology to Pakistan, recent trends show a heavier reliance on China. This transition, however, has led to operational challenges on the ground.

Navy struggles with defective Chinese frigates

In 2022, reports showed that Pakistan’s Navy had been facing technical issues with four Chinese-made F-22P frigates. These vessels, inducted between 2009 and later, included one locally assembled with Chinese technical support. A report from Geopolitica pointed to faults in imaging and radar systems and problems with engine performance. The malfunctioning parts and lack of adequate servicing from China reduced the ships’ performance in active duty.

Pakistan's air defence failures during Operation Sindoor

During Operation Sindoor, India’s targeted missile strike campaign, Pakistan’s Chinese-made air defence system failed to intercept incoming Indian missiles. One such strike hit the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters in Muridke with accuracy. India also targeted more than a dozen other locations, with before-and-after satellite photos showing direct hits. Despite claims about the capability of Pakistan’s PL-15 missiles and J-10C fighter jets, Indian forces carried out a successful air campaign without interception.

Concerns raised by international think tanks

A past study from RAND Corporation, an American research organisation, warned that Chinese military exports have often included faulty systems. The report highlighted that several countries, including Nigeria and Myanmar, received defective weapons. It noted that while Chinese weapons come at a lower price, they often lead to delays and added costs due to lack of technical support and spare parts.

Why countries choose Chinese weapons

One of the main reasons smaller countries turn to China for weapons is cost. Many of them cannot afford expensive systems from Western suppliers. In addition, China offers loans and flexible payment options that make such deals more attractive for countries facing financial pressure. In Pakistan’s case, its economic constraints make Chinese offers hard to ignore, even if the systems are less reliable.