No one knows what neighboring country Pakistan will do against India. However, it is a bit different that India has always defeated Pakistan in the battlefield. However, Pakistan is also fighting a proxy war with India. Pakistan has quietly deployed new AWACS aircraft. This AVAX system has been made by a Swedish company. This is the same company, which a few days ago had opened an arms manufacturing factory in India with 100 percent FDI. AWACS is known as Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system. It can gather information about every activity of friendly and enemy aircraft present in the air. The new ARI AWACS system is fitted to Saab-2000 aircraft. With the induction of this system, the fleet of AWACS systems with the Pakistan Air Force has increased to approximately nine.
How many AWACS are there in India?
The Indian Air Force operates three Russian IL-76 'Falcon' AWACS and two Imber Netra early warning aircraft. This is already less than the number of Pakistani AWACS, which also operates the Chinese ZDK03 Karakoram Eagle. The AWACS system is equipped with long-range radar that collects intelligence inside enemy territory. It can play an important role during the war by giving advance information about every aerial movement of the enemy.
New AWACS joined in January
According to reports, Saab-2000 aircraft equipped with ARI AWACS will be inducted into the Pakistani Air Force in early 2024. The aircraft were part of a ceremony that also included Chengdu J-10 CE 'Dragon' multirole combat aircraft, Belgian Air Force C-130H Hercules airlifters and several other new types of aircraft. Multiple media outlets have confirmed that seven AWACS aircraft have been sighted in the Pakistan Air Force, but the number could be as high as nine.
Pakistan purchased AWACS in three orders
ARI AWACS have been purchased in three orders. The Pakistan Air Force placed its first $1.15 billion order for six AWACS in 2006. But, after the 2005 earthquake, Pakistan reduced the order of four aircraft. In 2012, the PAF lost three of its four aircraft in a terrorist attack on Mihas airbase. One of which was destroyed and the remaining two were seriously damaged. The PAF restored the internally damaged aircraft.
Pakistan used it in attacks against India
SAAB ARI AWACS aircraft were used to target the Indian Brigade Headquarters and other establishments in Nowshera during Pakistan's retaliatory strike on February 27, 2019. Incidentally, India had earlier lodged a diplomatic protest over the sale of the Swedish aircraft to Pakistan. This aircraft was used to guide and control 25 fighter aircraft to targets in India in Operation Swift Retort on 27 February. These aircraft provided real-time coverage of the battlefield to the PAF and Indian Air Force aircraft.