A promotional video released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Pakistan Day, intended to honour the nation's resilience, has inadvertently drawn attention to the force's continued strategic focus on the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet.
The video, combining national pride with displays of military capability, contained a segment suggesting the Su-30MKI remains a central element in the PAF's planning and training.
During the video, a scene depicted a briefing session within the PAF's 9 Griffins Squadron. Observers noted that a Squadron Leader, identified as an instructor, was holding a scale model of an IAF Su-30MKI while addressing pilots before a mission.
This detail is interpreted by defence analysts as a clear sign that the PAF continues to dedicate significant resources and training time to understanding and developing counter-tactics for this specific Indian aircraft.
The Su-30MKI, a twin-engine multirole combat aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi and license-built in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), forms a crucial part of the IAF's air power. It is known for its high manoeuvrability, advanced sensors, long operational range, and ability to carry a wide array of weapons for both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions.
The IAF operates a large fleet of these aircraft, estimated to be over 250 units. Its capabilities make it a primary consideration for Pakistan's defence strategists. The aircraft's involvement in aerial engagements following the 2019 Balakot airstrike, where PAF F-16s and IAF Su-30MKIs were involved in combat manoeuvres, further solidified its status, although accounts of the specific outcomes of these engagements differ between India and Pakistan.
The scene featuring the Su-30MKI model strongly suggests that the PAF's 9 Griffins Squadron is actively refining its Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) specifically to engage this adversary.
Such briefings likely involve discussing simulated combat scenarios, analysing the Su-30MKI's flight characteristics, radar capabilities, and weapon systems, and practising methods to counter it using PAF assets like the American-origin F-16 or the jointly developed Pakistan-China JF-17 Thunder aircraft. The use of a physical model facilitates detailed study and tactical planning.
This focus on the Su-30MKI is not a recent development. Historically, PAF training doctrine has often revolved around countering the aircraft and systems operated by the IAF. As India has inducted and upgraded its Su-30MKI fleet over the years, this aircraft has become an increasingly prominent feature in PAF's operational planning.
Additionally, international exercises, such as the regular 'Shaheen' series of drills conducted jointly by the PAF and China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), are believed to include simulations against aircraft with capabilities similar to the Su-30, offering valuable training opportunities.
Therefore, while the Pakistan Day video aimed to inspire the public and showcase PAF's commitment, the brief glimpse into the squadron briefing room provided insight into the force's ongoing tactical preparations.
It highlights that the IAF's Su-30MKI continues to be a significant factor influencing the PAF's training, strategy, and overall approach to maintaining readiness along its eastern border. Countering this potent IAF asset remains a key mission shaping the operational mindset of Pakistan's air defence forces.
