Pakistan's Homegrown Link-17 Kill Chain Helped Shoot Down India's Rafale Fighter Jets

May 31

Using a homegrown datalink (Link-17) communication system, Pakistan has integrated its ground radars with a variety of fighter jets and airborne early warning aircraft (Swedish Erieye AWACS) to achieve high level of situational awareness in the battlefield, according to experts familiar with the technology developed and deployed by the Pakistan Air Force. This integration allows quick execution of a "kill chain" to target and destroy enemy aircraft, according to experts. This capability was demonstrated recently in the India-Pakistan aerial battle of May 7-8 that resulted in the downing of several Indian fighter jets, including the French-made Rafale.

Pakistan PAF's Homegrown Link-17. Source: Secret Projects

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilots flying Chinese-made J10C fighter jets fired the Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles and shot down at least two Indian Air Force's French-made Rafale jets in history's largest ever aerial battle, according to multiple media and intelligence reports. India had 72 warplanes on the attack and Pakistan responded with 42 of its own, according to the Pakistani military.

Speaking on a recent podcast, Michael Dahm, a senior fellow at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, said the kill chain may have started with a Pakistani ground radar—“maybe a surface-to-air missile system, or some other type of radar system”—which “illuminated the Indian target.” Then, a Pakistani J-10C fighter “launched its missiles, probably at range, and finally, an airborne early warning and control aircraft used a midcourse datalink to update and guide the missile to the Indian fighter.” “The Pakistani Air Force deployed …’ A’ launched by ‘B’ and guided by ‘C’” and hit the target, he added.

PAF Kill Chain During Op Sindoor. Source: Blackbird

Link-17 enables secure and jam-resistant voice and data exchanges between connected assets. Combined with electronic warfare, it allows the Pakistani military to control the electromagnetic spectrum, giving access to the enemy communications and denying them access to their own. It also enables networked participants to view in real-time each other’s sensor feeds, which could come from radars, sonars, electro-optical (EO) systems such as cameras, and others. Link-17 has given the PAF a network protocol that it can use with a wide range of aerial assets, especially domestically driven programs, such as the JF-17 Thunder.

Military aviation analysts conclude from the results of the air battle that the Chinese technology is as good, if not better than, the western technology. However, it must be understood that the way the technology is actually deployed in the battlefield is as important in achieving good results as the technology itself. Also, the men count as much, if not more than, the machines. The legendary US Air Force pilot Chuck Yeager called Pakistan Air Force pilots "the best in the world". In another tweet in 2015, Yeager said "they (PAF pilots) kicked the Indians butt".

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Riaz Haq

Social media posts suggest Pakistan has received a shipment of advanced aircraft similar to helicopter China has deployed near Indian border

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3320541/will-chine...

According to Chinese defence publications, the Z-10ME can reach speeds of up to 300km/h (186mph), with a combat radius ranging from 800 to 1,120km (497 to 696 miles), depending on fuel and weapon loads.

Its maximum take-off weight of roughly 7,200kg (15,873lbs) provides notable endurance and loiter time for both close air support and deep interdiction operations.

Its improved protective features include titanium and ceramic composite armour, significantly boosting pilot safety.

The high-definition image circulating on Monday suggested a suite of advanced avionics to improve situational awareness and missile defence capabilities. This includes an Active Electronically Scanned Array- or AESA-based missile approach warning system and directional infrared counter measures, making the helicopters even more sophisticated than the PLA’s own baseline Z-10s, according to defence analysts.

Most notably, the Z-10ME incorporates comprehensive electronic countermeasures, including radar, ultraviolet and laser warnings, with enhanced infrared directional interference systems – features previously unseen in Chinese helicopters.

Engine exhaust modifications and infrared suppressors further reduce the aircraft’s thermal signatures.

According to an earlier report by state broadcaster CCTV, the PLA has deployed the Z-10 in the Tibet autonomous region, which borders India. The helicopter used in Tibet has an operational ceiling of around 6,000 metres (19,685 feet), and the export variant is also suitable for mountainous areas including Kashmir.

Comments on social media and military forums suggested the Z-10ME helicopters surpassed the standard PLA variants in engine power, protective systems, and electronic warfare capabilities.

The Z-10ME helicopters feature new WZ-9G turboshaft engines with improved power output, which can reportedly outperform India’s US-made Apache helicopters under similar conditions.

Additionally, the Z-10ME’s armament upgrades include six weapon stations capable of carrying CM-502KG precision strike missiles with a 25km range and a 23mm cannon system, significantly outperforming older AH-1F and T-129 helicopter models.

Meanwhile, India is also upgrading its fleet of combat helicopters.

On July 22, the Indian Army received its initial delivery of three AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters from the United States. The latest variant of the attack helicopters are expected to be deployed on India’s western front bordering Pakistan.

Aug 2
Riaz Haq

Habibullah Khan
@Huk06
Poor analysis because it doesn’t understand that a) Pakistan’s posture is defensive & b) Pakistan’s procurement is strategically aligned to its system of systems approach.

This approach which creates a kill web was used successfully to comprehensively defeat India in a high altitude battle. The piece Pakistan was missing was low altitude. Low altitude supremacy allows tank battalions to move as a crucial part of a hot war. Pakistan’s capability here was almost 60 years old.

Not anymore. China’s Z-10ME helicopter and its TY-90 missile are a deadly combination. TY-90 is the world’s only air-to-air missile specifically designed for low altitude helicopter combat. It has a 4 km range in all directions including above. It’s esp deadly to expensive drones like Israeli Harop & SkyStriker that are used by India to take out air defence.

Remember this helicopter will be guided by situational awareness data from satellites, drones, AEW&C, ground radar and humint inside enemy territory. Something India cannot manager yet. All encrypted. All synthesised to give real time data. In a defensive posture in mountainous regions like Kashmir the Z10-ME will use mountain cover to be the deadliest assassin to enemy helicopters and low altitude loitering munitions.

https://x.com/Huk06/status/1951747609724625010

Aug 2
Riaz Haq

Tactical Tipu
@Tactical_Tipu
Admiral Arun is very much right that India's Naval ASW backed by P-8 Poseidon will be a major player.

But fortunately enough for Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force enjoys complete air superiority and these ASW platforms could not be protected by any fighter of the Indian Air Force.

https://x.com/Tactical_Tipu/status/1987796790339653902?s=20

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Adm. Arun Prakash
@arunp2810
PN pursuit of Sea Denial strategy via acquisition of 8xYuan/Hangor class diesel subs will be countered by IN’s advanced ship/air ASW force. Of concern is this: by 2028 PN will field 11 subs equipped with air independent propulsion while we will have none! A 2022 backgrounder

https://x.com/arunp2810/status/1987470351329346043?s=20

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Sushant Singh
@SushantSin
Confirmation from Pakistan’s top naval official that Chinese submarines will soon arrive in the South Asian country suggests India’s dominance of the Indian Ocean could be tested and that Beijing has overcome a major technical hurdle

https://x.com/SushantSin/status/1987366830508319002?s=20

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Pakistan's Homegrown Link-17 Kill Chain Helped Shoot Down India's Rafale Fighter Jets

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