Recent reports indicate that amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) formulated a significant strategy targeting key military installations of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
This plan reportedly included the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra, a facility central to Pakistan's aviation and air defence capabilities. The operation was designed to impair the PAF's operational capacity by also aiming at several airbases across Pakistan.
India and Pakistan share a history marked by military conflicts, where their respective air forces have often played critical roles during disputes and skirmishes along their border.
In recent confrontations, reportedly triggered by cross-border activities and subsequent retaliations, both air forces were involved in sensitive and high-risk missions.
The IAF, with modern aircraft such as the Rafale and Su-30 MKI, consistently strives to secure aerial dominance. In response, the PAF utilises its aircraft, including F-16s and the domestically co-produced JF-17 Thunder, alongside other resources to counter Indian air power.
Located in Pakistan's Punjab province, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra stands as a vital pillar of the nation's indigenous defence industry. This extensive facility is crucial for the manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance of important PAF aircraft, most notably the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter, which was developed jointly with China.
PAC Kamra also supports the overhaul of other aircraft in the PAF fleet and is involved in producing avionics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Its comprehensive capabilities in aircraft production, radar systems, and missile integration make it an extremely valuable asset and, consequently, a strategic target for any adversary aiming to diminish Pakistan's air power.
According to information from sources said to be acquainted with the planning, the IAF's strategy supposedly encompassed precision attacks on PAC Kamra. The plan also included strikes on other significant PAF airbases, such as those at Sargodha, Mianwali, and Peshawar, which are known to host fighter jet squadrons and essential support infrastructure.
The primary goal of such an operation was to unsettle the PAF's combat readiness by targeting aircraft shelters, repair and maintenance workshops, and command centres, reportedly with an emphasis on limiting unintended harm.
To carry out these purported strikes, the IAF was expected to use its array of advanced weaponry. This reportedly included stand-off weapons like the BrahMos cruise missile, capable of being launched from air, land, and sea, and Spice-2000 precision-guided bombs, designed for high-accuracy targeting.
Intelligence gathering, likely employing satellite imagery, real-time information, and data from UAVs, have been critical in pinpointing high-value targets within the PAC Kamra complex and the specified PAF bases. The conceptualized operation was intended to deliver a clear deterrent message to Pakistan while aiming to prevent an escalation into a wider conflict.
The selection of PAC Kamra as a key target highlights its immense strategic value. Any successful disruption of the complex's activities could significantly hinder the PAF's capacity to sustain and operate its JF-17 fleet, which forms a substantial part of its fighter aircraft strength.
Furthermore, attacking PAC's research and development sections could potentially set back Pakistan's efforts in developing its own defence technologies, thereby affecting its air power capabilities in the longer term.
PAC Kamra is also instrumental in providing maintenance for a large portion of the PAF's aviation assets, meaning any damage could have widespread effects on their operational preparedness.
