PAF has become a formidable air force due to its advanced air surveillance capability
The induction of the Saab 2000 Airborne Early
Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft in 2009 marked a decisive
transformation in the Pakistan Air Force’s
operational capabilities, embedding airborne surveillance and command at the
core of national air defence.
On 29 December 2009, the PAF raised its No. 3
Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron, known as “Angels,” at PAF Base
Minhas. This step formally elevated airborne command, control, and battle management
from a limited capability to a permanent, frontline operational pillar. The
milestone was recently highlighted in a historical post by the PAF’s
Directorate General Public Relations.
The squadron’s creation coincided with the
arrival of the Saab 2000 AEW&C platform, chosen for its speed, endurance,
and flexibility. Powered by two Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engines, the
aircraft can cruise at over 650 km/h and remain airborne for more than seven
hours, allowing sustained surveillance over critical areas while operating from
relatively short runways.
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Central to the aircraft’s effectiveness is the
Erieye active phased-array radar mounted above the fuselage. Operating in the
S-band, the system provides near-360-degree coverage and detection ranges exceeding
450 kilometres against high-altitude targets, while remaining effective against
low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles. Its electronically steered beams
enable rapid updates and simultaneous tracking of hundreds of targets, even in
complex electronic environments.
The radar is supported by an advanced
identification friend or foe (IFF) system, reducing the risk of
misidentification during fast-paced operations. Data from radar, IFF, and
electronic support measures is fused into a single, real-time air picture
displayed across multiple operator consoles, enabling precise fighter control,
beyond-visual-range engagement management, and coordination with ground-based
air defence assets.
Electronic warfare support sensors further
enhance situational awareness by detecting and locating hostile emitters, while
secure data links allow the aircraft to act as a communications and information
hub across the battlespace. Integrated with the Air Defence Ground Environment,
the AEW&C squadron significantly shortened sensor-to-shooter timelines and
improved coordination among fighters, missile units, and command centres.
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Fifteen
years on, No. 3 AEW&C Squadron remains a cornerstone of PAF operations and
a powerful force multiplier in protecting Pakistan’s airspace. Its success
reflects a broader shift toward information-centric warfare, cementing airborne
early warning and control as an essential element of modern air power and a key
contributor to the PAF’s defensive credibility.
Source: www.armyrecognition.com