India Shoots Down Pakistan Air Force’s AWAC

– Pakistan launched unprovoked attack on – Thursday night
– India retaliated by destroying drones and missiles
– India shot down Pakistan’s AWACS aircraft in Punjab

Pakistan’s unprovoked attack on Thursday night met with fierce retaliation as India not only destroyed drones and missiles fired towards border cities but also shot down Pakistan’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. This comes as a huge blow to Islamabad as it lost its crucial surveillance jet.

The AWACS was shot down inside Punjab province and three Pakistani fighter jets, F-16 fighter jet and two JF-17 fighter jets, were downed on Thursday night, sources told India Today. This comes as Pakistan launched drones and missiles towards cities across border states in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Punjab. The Indian Army said in a statement that all these drones were neutralised, and no casualties were reported.

The attack from the Pakistani side, which is still underway, invited fierce counterstrikes from India and lost at least three of its jets.

WHAT IS AWACS

AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) is a type of aircraft primarily used for long-range radar surveillance and command and control of air defence. These aircraft feature a large radar dome that allows them to detect, track, and identify air and surface contacts over vast distances.

AWACS systems are crucial for providing real-time situational awareness and coordinating air operations, as they can transmit information to other users on land, at sea, or in the air.
The aircraft serve as a critical asset in modern warfare by performing multiple high-value roles. It monitors airspace in real-time, capable of tracking hundreds of targets across vast distances, making it essential for situational awareness.

The AWACS coordinates fighter jets and air defense systems, enabling seamless military response and hence acts as a flying command and control hub.

It also provides early threat detection, offering crucial warnings about enemy movements well before they enter national airspace.