The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) revealed that it will convert its lone Bombardier Global 6000 into a stand-off jamming (SOJ) aircraft with help from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). The PAF originally hinted at converting the Global 6000 into a special mission aircraft in its latest calendar by labeling the jet as an electronic warfare (EW) platform. Recently, the PAF’s unofficial publication – Second-to-None – confirmed these plans.
Given that the PAF is engaging TAI to convert the Global 6000, one would assume that the PAF is planning to acquire the Aselsan HAVASOJ. Currently, TAI is configuring four Global 6000s with the HAVASOJ suite for use by the Turkish Air Force (TuAF).
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For the PAF to maintain its conventional deterrence capability, it will need to vastly upgrade its offensive air wings. The focal point of the PAF’s new wings will likely be the Shenyang J-31, a new-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) with a greater stated range and payload than the F-16, J-10CE, or JF-17. It will employ a more advanced radar and EW/ECM suite and, potentially, provide credible low-observability (LO) or stealth qualities. From an acquisition standpoint, a potential PAF J-31 purchase would coincide with the timeline it will likely phase out the older Peace Gate I/II F-16s in the mid-to-late 2030s.
The Shenyang J-31/NGFA will likely be supported by a family of systems, including a mix of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) ranging from large strike drones to smaller decoy drones. Interestingly, the PAF also confirmed (via Second-to-None) that it was exploring its stealthy high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) strike drones. The Turkish company Baykar was also marketing its Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) to Pakistan.
In addition, Baykar’s office at Pakistan’s National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) is involved in developing original unmanned systems, such as loitering munitions, miniature cruise missiles, and guided munitions for drones. These projects may lead to the development of decoy drones (using NASTP’s target drone as a basis).
These new air wings will also need new support assets, especially EW/ECM and AEW&C aircraft. With the Global 6000-based SOJ, the PAF is likely seeking a system with a higher power output, thus enabling it to carry out radar jamming at a longer range compared to the Falcon DA-20. There may be other factors at play as well, such as potentially addressing an improved electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) capability (that could deprecate the PAF’s current jamming capabilities), inducting a new architecture that can support artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-based technologies, and leveraging a higher jamming output to carry out EW/ECM missions at stand-off range away from threats.
Industry Analysis
The PAF has not yet confirmed that it is seeking the Aselsan HAVASOJ. Though this is the likeliest outcome, other scenarios are still feasible.
The first scenario is that the PAF could acquire a customized HAVASOJ suite that eliminates one or two of the capabilities. In this scenario, the PAF would focus on cost savings by prioritizing the most essential element of the suite. With the goal of upgrading its offensive capabilities, the PAF would focus on acquiring new radar jamming capabilities.
The second scenario is that the PAF may customize the HAVASOJ with third-party and/or local solutions. In terms of EW solutions, Pakistan can work with vendors like Leonardo, Elettronica, Hensoldt, Saab, and Indra to source various inputs, such as DRFM kits, active phased-array transmitter and receiver modules, human-machine interface (HMI) consoles, and/or defensive suites (e.g., chaff and flare dispensers). Pakistan’s domestic industry is also developing many original solutions, especially ELINT subsystems (albeit for the Pakistan Navy). This technology may find its way into a potential PAF SOJ program.
In terms of risks, the likeliest blocker for any PAF program is the lack of fiscal resources owing to Pakistan’s weak economic conditions. The next layer of risk would involve regulatory challenges from Canada, which may occur due to U.S. concerns about the PAF using Canadian technology (albeit a second-hand aircraft bought from the open market) to develop a sensitive system, or – less likely, but plausible – pressure from domestic industry players wanting to access Pakistan’s program for their commercial gains. However, this risk will not likely materialize as, in the worst-case scenario, it would simply prevent the PAF from using a Bombardier jet. It can still acquire used business jets for the role from other vendors or sources.
In terms of requirements, Quwa estimates that the PAF will seek a total of at least two systems in the 2020s, one for each offensive wing comprising multiple combat aircraft squadrons.
