Pakistan Hides Half of It's F-16 Block 52+ Frontline Fighters in Balochistan to Avoid India’s S-400 Reach, Fearing Downing Like in Ukraine War

Reports indicate the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has undertaken a significant strategic repositioning, moving approximately half of its advanced F-16 Block 52+ fighter jets to Pasni Airfield. This base is located near Gwadar in Pakistan's Balochistan province, situated on the coast of the northern Arabian Sea.

This relocation is widely interpreted as a defensive manoeuvre designed to position these valuable aircraft outside the surveillance and engagement range of India’s recently acquired S-400 Triumf air defence systems.

India's integration of the Russian-developed S-400 system, globally recognised as one of the most potent long-range air defence platforms, has fundamentally altered the air power equation in South Asia.

The S-400 possesses extensive radar coverage and long-distance missile capabilities, enabling it to monitor and potentially target aircraft deep within neighbouring airspace.

This capability effectively creates a robust anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) zone, significantly complicating air operations for potential adversaries near Indian borders. India began receiving deliveries of the S-400 system in late 2021.

Recent combat experiences, particularly in the Ukraine conflict, have likely influenced Pakistan's decision. Observations from Ukraine suggest that even modern Western aircraft may face significant challenges against sophisticated air defence systems like the S-400.

Despite upgrades, aircraft like the F-16 are reportedly vulnerable to the S-400's capacity to detect and intercept targets, including low-flying aircraft, from extended ranges potentially exceeding 400 kilometres, especially when the system operates in tandem with airborne early warning aircraft.

Consequently, the perceived threat from India's S-400 deployment has seemingly prompted the PAF to reconsider the basing strategy for its premier fighter assets, the F-16 Block 52+ fleet.

By transferring a substantial number of these jets to Pasni, the PAF aims to shield them from the reach of S-400 batteries deployed in India's western regions, notably Rajasthan and Gujarat, which border Pakistan.

The Pasni Airfield offers distinct geographical advantages for this purpose. Its location, further southwest compared to many traditional PAF operational bases situated closer to the Indian border, provides greater strategic depth and relative safety from immediate threats.

Its proximity to the Arabian Sea also facilitates wider dispersal options in a crisis scenario, potentially making PAF assets harder to track and target.

While this relocation can be viewed as a cautious measure to safeguard critical air power resources, it also highlights the strategic pressure Pakistan faces due to India's strengthening air defence network.

Shifting frontline fighters away from the immediate border regions could potentially limit the PAF's ability to project air power rapidly should hostilities arise along the India-Pakistan Line of Control or international border.

Ultimately, this redeployment underscores the significant deterrent effect of India's S-400 systems. Their presence not only bolsters India's air defence but also compels neighbouring air forces to adopt more defensive postures, thereby influencing their operational flexibility and strategic calculations.

 

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[R. Singh]

We need S-550 also and develop 800-1000 km range defence shield jointly with Israel ! Then it will be difficult for Pakistan to hide their fighter jets !

 

[sanket]

Wow, this time Pakistan has to not only save from S-400 air defence but also from Meteor Missile & Astra MK1 Missile too. If GE hasn't delayed the delivery of GE-404, then a couple of Tejas MK1A too would have been in action. It's more than an 18-month delay.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

S-400 is showing its impact immediately! The US must have ordered F-16 to be shifted out of harm's way! Can JF-17 and others even take off?

 

[Sam]

In numbers, they have quite an advantage over us, so I'm not sure if we can cope, but we hope for the best. I hope our EW suites won't betray us.

 

[Akshat]

In numbers, they have quite an advantage over us, so I'm not sure if we can cope, but we hope for the best. I hope our EW suites won't betray us.

They have an advantage over us in numbers? How so? They have about 450 fighter/combat jets. Out of these, approximately 150 are F7 (MiG-21 copies) which are inferior even to our MiG-21s. We have some 650 units.

 

[INDIAN]

This is the time for the Baloch to show their mettle and attack the air base. Pakistan's prized asset, what a target! If you want a name, then do the same.

 

[Girish Tyagi]

Or maybe USA has told Pakistan to ensure they do not use F-16 against India (especially post F-16 lose in Balakot attack) where they denied use of F-16 despite firing AMRAAM missile. Also, S-400 recently hunted F-16 in Ukraine.

 

[swatkats_razor]

Or maybe USA has told Pakistan to ensure they do not use F-16 against India (especially post F-16 lose in Balakot attack) where they denied use of F-16 despite firing AMRAAM missile. Also, S-400 recently hunted F-16 in Ukraine.

Bro, F-16 is literally all the Pakistan Air Force has to offer.
Rest of their inventory is only target practice for the Indian SAMs.

 

[Ben]

The S-400 has a maximum engagement range of up to 400 km against aerial targets like aircraft and missiles depending on the missile variant used. The system's 91N6E radar can detect targets up to 1,000 kilometers away; they might as well give them to Afghanistan for safe keeping.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

Actually, they are there to protect Karachi and Gwadar ports as they expect a raid there, so the F-16 long range can defend incoming fighters i.e., Vikrant MiG-29 fighters that are armed with Israeli Rampage missiles. The F-16 doesn't have anti-ship missile capability. Only the JF-17s have that capability, but Pasni air base makes them vulnerable to sub-fired cruise missiles which can devastate Pasni. Firing six 5-kilo Club missiles can finish Pasni.

 

[GMR]

Now Baloch freedom fighters have a brand new target..mouth watering for them. Best of luck..

 

[Shafted mohammed]

Now Baloch freedom fighters have a brand new target..mouth watering for them. Best of luck..

Mark my word the base is going to be attacked by BLA fighters and the planes given by US administration would all get mostly destroyed on ground.

 

[Dredd]

S-400 is showing its impact immediately! The US must have ordered F-16 to be shifted out of harm's way! Can JF-17 and others even take off?

I think there is a possibility that they are kept there to counter Indian naval force. Only F-16 is a capable jet to carry out some sea operation in PAF.

 

[ramdas]

Pakistanis have no depth as a country. S-400 has wide coverage. Any fighter aircraft which gets airborne is already in the crosshairs of S-400.

 

[Python]

They have an advantage over us in numbers? How so? They have about 450 fighter/combat jets. Out of these, approximately 150 are F7 (MiG-21 copies) which are inferior even to our MiG-21s. We have some 650 units.

Plus they also have some obsolete Mirage IIIs

 

[ARIJIT]

Good, but our S-400 batteries also need protection against swarm drone attacks. Turkey has already started the supply of its Bayraktar drones to Pakistan.

 

[SK]

Then who will counter the Su-30 equipped with Brahmos from attacking their military infrastructure or connectivity?

Let's be honest, the IAF will probably send a Su-30 equipped with Brahmos and Rafale with Meteors & Scalps to target Pakistani ports & military infrastructure.

Scalp, Brahmos & Meteor give the necessary range to such a combo & if Su-30s are equipped with Astra-Mk1 then it will allow the option for saturation fire.

Yes, F-16's AIM-120C may have a slightly longer range than Astra-Mk1 but Meteor missiles neutralize this & since Astra-Mk1 is an indigenous system, it can be manufactured in large numbers.

The PAF will have a very limited number of AIM-120C missiles & the more they use without hitting anything, the greater will be their future challenges. If they don't try to go for saturation fire then Meteors will eventually take out an F-16 which will further reduce the combat prowess of the PAF.

I don't understand how the PAF can outmaneuver this disadvantage?

 

[Just a Patriot]

Good, but our S-400 batteries also need protection against swarm drone attacks. Turkey has already started the supply of its Bayraktar drones to Pakistan.

Our S-400 will surely be protected by our DEWs and other anti-swarm drone and anti-drone systems we have.

Moreover, Bayraktar is not a swarm attack drone, it's a MALE UCAV.

Also, swarm attack means hundreds of offensive drones attacking simultaneously on a single target. Pakistan don't have any capable attack drones.

 

[Tony D'Souza]

I think there is a possibility that they are kept there to counter Indian naval force. Only F-16 is a capable jet to carry out some sea operation in PAF.

Now it is even easier to decimate the entire bunch of F-16s in a rapid series of strikes! Use BrahMos missiles onto the airbase from the Arabian Sea. We already have our naval flotilla there.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

No reason to gloat; in a conflict, they're going to throw everything to take out the S-400s at the earliest.

 

[Akshat]

Plus they also have some obsolete Mirage IIIs

Yes, those are far inferior to our Rafales, Mirages and Sukhois and even Migs.

 

[Enforcer]

This whole situation is a good opportunity to eliminate Pakistani F-16s and Saab Erieye completely from their inventory. Anything else is a bonus on top of that.

 

[Sandeep]

The only way to take out their air force with a low amount of lose is when they are on the ground. We should launch a heavy attack to overwhelm their SAM and jets but we should take out most of their capable jets was. This will give us a good advantage a we we nd their air power will be mostly gone.

Then we should blockade Pakistani ports and cut of their oil and critical supplies. This would cripple their entire country and they won’t even be able to power their military.