Pakistan Pursues Embraer Lineage 1000E for Indigenous AWACS Development After Saab 2000s Lost in Op Sindoor

Following the severe operational losses sustained during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has reportedly suspended plans to acquire additional Saab 2000 Erieye airborne warning and control systems (AWACS).

Instead, defence sources indicate a strategic pivot towards a new indigenous program, "Project Zarb-e-Samaa," which seeks to develop a jet-powered surveillance platform using commercial airliners.

This initiative mirrors the approach taken by the Pakistan Navy’s "Sea Sultan" maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) project and appears designed to mitigate the vulnerabilities exposed during the recent four-day conflict with India.

The Catalyst: Losses in Operation Sindoor​

The strategic shift is a direct consequence of the heavy toll exacted on the PAF’s surveillance fleet during Operation Sindoor.

In a significant blow to Pakistan's air defence network, one Saab 2000 Erieye was destroyed in its hangar at Bholari airbase by a BrahMos air-launched cruise missile (ALCM).

Satellite imagery and later admissions by retired PAF officials confirmed the precision strike, describing "three BrahMos missiles zooming in sequence" to neutralise the high-value asset.

The conflict also marked a historic combat debut for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) S-400 Triumph air defence system. In a separate engagement, a second Erieye was intercepted and destroyed at a standoff range of 314 kilometres.

The kill, credited to a battery commanded by Group Captain Animesh Patni—who was subsequently awarded the Vir Chakra—exposed the survivability issues of the turboprop-based Erieye against modern long-range interceptors.

Project Zarb-e-Samaa: The Indigenous Blueprint​

In response, PAF planners have engaged the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra to spearhead "Project Zarb-e-Samaa." The program aims to field a faster, higher-altitude platform capable of jet speeds, significantly improving survivability compared to the slower Saab 2000.

Drawing inspiration from the IAF’s "Netra" Mk1A (based on the Embraer ERJ-145) and the Pakistan Navy’s own Sea Sultan program, the PAF has selected the Embraer Lineage 1000E as the baseline platform.

This ultra-large business jet, a variant of the Embraer E190 regional airliner, offers a range of 4,000 nautical miles and is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney PW308G turbofan engines, allowing for a cruise speed of Mach 0.82.

The acquisition strategy involves PAC-Kamra procuring three to six airframes from the secondary commercial market or directly from Brazil. This mirrors the Navy’s 2021 procurement model, where South Africa’s Paramount Group and Italy’s Leonardo were contracted for structural modifications and systems integration, respectively, with deliveries slated for 2026.

Technical Challenges and Radar Selection​

A key component of the new project is the indigenous fabrication of conformal antenna casings. PAC intends to design radome fairings that blend seamlessly with the Lineage 1000E’s fuselage to reduce drag and the aircraft's radar cross-section (RCS).

For the aircraft’s primary sensor, the PAF is reportedly evaluating two distinct options:

• KLJ-7A AESA Radar (China): Already operational on the JF-17 Block III fighter, this Active Electronically Scanned Array radar offers ease of integration and cost benefits. Its track-while-scan capability for up to 15 targets makes it a strong contender.
• Hensoldt TRS-3D (Germany): A multi-mode 3D surveillance radar offering higher-fidelity 360-degree coverage. However, the viability of this option remains uncertain due to strict German export controls implemented following the May 2025 conflict.

The program is estimated to cost between $800 million and $1 billion, with a target for prototype flight testing by 2029 and full operational capability for two squadrons by 2032.

Reviving Legacy Tech?​

Defence analysts have also noted unverified reports suggesting a revival of older technology transfers. Rumours persist that the PAF may attempt to utilise 1990s-era technical data from the German MPDR (Mobile Pulse Doppler Radar) program to develop a bespoke AESA array.

Bilal Khan, an analyst with Quwa, offered a cautious perspective: "It is unclear how they will stitch old transfer-of-technology (ToT) data into a modern gallium nitride core, but SUPARCO’s orbital radar work could potentially bridge the gaps."

Despite the ambition, scepticism remains high. Critics point to the existing production bottlenecks at PAC, which currently produces JF-17 fighters at a rate of just 8–10 units annually, and question whether the debt-laden defence budget can sustain such a complex development timeline.

 

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