The Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP) revealed that it was developing nine new original radar/sensor programs, including a new passive radar, a multi-function radar, and an airborne early warning (AEW) radar.
The disclosure was made in a promotional PAF video recapping the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari at one of NASTP’s facilities.
In addition to new radar projects, NASTP also revealed that it upgraded over 40 radars for the PAF, the Pakistan Army (PA), the Pakistan Navy (PN), and other countries.
This push for sensor control stems from the mid-2010s, when the PAF began fielding its own proprietary tactical data-link (TDL) protocol, Link-17. It was likely at that time the PAF understood the value of pairing its own TDL stack with proprietary radar platforms, ideally from ‘end-to-end’ where the onboard fighter radar and AEW&C radar are both proprietary systems. Not only would they be from a single source, but that source would be Pakistani.
At its simplest level, control over the radar stack would allow the PAF to pair the radar to its choice of platforms and munitions. For example, it can select its preferred platform for the in-house AEW&C project. Likewise, the PAF can integrate its choice of surface-to-air missiles (SAM) to the in-house multi-function radar. Finally, the PAF can opt for air-to-air missiles (AAM) of its preference to its fighter radars.
However, controlling both the radar and TDL could also enable the PAF to actively explore more sophisticated applications of network-enabled warfare.
For example, by having its own passive sensor (likely similar to the ERA VERA-E), the PAF could introduce artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into the mix. The passive sensor or ESM would not only collect enemy radar or communications emissions, but with AI/ML, the PAF can build a data engine to sort and analyze the data.
Likewise, the PAF could also introduce AI/ML into its own proprietary AEW&C system and, in turn, create systems that reduce workloads, like automating target acquisition, analysis, and management. Or, potentially, create a system that can communicate across different TDLs that work across various radio frequencies. Indeed, as the PAF actively looks to get next-generation fighter aircraft (NGFA) like the J-35, it may also get next-generation TDLs similar in concept and capability to the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL).
Overall, the PAF’s push for proprietary sensors, especially radars, is a question of control and authority. It likely wants to avoid running into supplier-side restrictions stopping it from using its sensitive assets, such as an AEW&C, in certain ways, like offensive operations.
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