India downs Pakistan’s AWACS: What it does and why its loss is critical

India on Thursday night neutralised Pakistan military's attempt to hit military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur and some other locations. New Delhi’s retaliation not only destroyed drones and missiles, but also shot down Islamabad’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, marking a significant blow to Pakistan’s air surveillance and battlefield coordination capabilities.

While drones, loitering munitions, and missiles have dominated headlines in recent days, AWACS platforms serve as the nerve centre of aerial combat, making this kill not just symbolic, but strategically disruptive.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) operates a fleet of nine Saab 2000 Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, also known as an AWACS. These aircraft, equipped with the Erieye radar, provide Pakistan with airborne surveillance capabilities, including 270-degree radar coverage. The last of the nine Erieye aircraft was delivered to Pakistan on July 2, 2024.

While it is not yet confirmed whether the AWACS shot down by Indian forces was a Saab 2000 Erieye or not, let’s take deep dive into what AWACS aircraft are, how they function, and why this event is critical in the unfolding India-Pakistan conflict.

What is an AWACS?

AWACS stands for Airborne Warning and Control System. It is a flying radar station, mounted typically on a large aircraft platform, used to detect, track, and monitor aerial and surface threats over vast distances. Think of it as a high-tech command post in the sky, offering 360-degree radar surveillance, and directing fighter jets and ground-based air defence systems during combat.

In essence, AWACS aircraft function as both early warning systems and battle managers, coordinating air battles, detecting incoming threats, and relaying real-time intelligence to command centres and interceptors.

Key Functions

Early Warning: Detect hostile aircraft, drones, or missile launches far before they enter radar range of ground stations.

Battlefield Coordination: Serve as airborne control towers for friendly aircraft, guiding them toward or away from targets and threats.

Electronic Surveillance: Intercept enemy radio frequencies, jamming signals, and battlefield communication patterns.

Force Multiplier: Greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of a smaller air force by giving it “eyes” over the entire theatre of operation.

How AWACS Works

Radar System: At the core of every AWACS is a rotating or phased-array radar system, mounted on a disk-like structure above the fuselage (often called a “radome” or “rotodome”). These radars typically operate in L-band or S-band, ideal for long-range detection.

For example, Pakistan’s SAAB 2000 Erieye AWACS uses an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar mounted on top of the aircraft. India’s PHALCON AWACS, developed in partnership with Israel and Russia, uses EL/W-2090 radar, with a 360-degree coverage range exceeding 400 km.

Command and Control Consoles: Inside the aircraft are multiple operator workstations where specialists track threats, assign aircraft to intercept, and coordinate missions in real time.

Secure Data Links: AWACS aircraft are equipped with secure satellite communications and encrypted datalinks (such as India’s Link II or Pakistan’s Link-17) to maintain uninterrupted coordination with:

• Fighter jets
• Ground-based radars
• Surface-to-air missile systems
• Naval vessels (if operating in a joint command environment)

The downing of Pakistan’s AWACS marks a turning point in the India-Pakistan aerial theatre. It reflects a more aggressive Indian air doctrine, focused on not just intercepting threats, but pre-emptively disabling command assets.