Pakistan lost AWACS aircraft in Indian strikes on Bholari airbase, admits ex-PAF Air Marshal

Pakistan’s retired Air Marshal Masood Akhtar has admitted that the Pakistan Air Force lost an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft during the Indian missile strikes carried out on the night of May 9–10.

They (Indian forces) fired four back-to-back Brahmos surface-to-surface missiles... surface-to-surface or air-to-surface, I am not sure. The (Pakistani) pilots rushed to secure their aircraft, but the missiles kept on coming, and unfortunately the fourth one hit the hangar at Bholari (airbase), where one of our AWACS was standing. It was damaged and casualties were also reported..." he said in an interview.
Pakistan's AWACS plays a critical role in the country’s air defense network, providing real-time surveillance, early warning, and command and control capabilities. These high-value assets are designed to detect and track incoming threats, guide fighter jets, and coordinate air operations across vast distances. The loss of an AWACS aircraft is a significant blow to Pakistan’s situational awareness and air combat readiness, especially amid heightened tensions with India.

The admittance comes as an embarassment for the Pakistani forces, who have been claiming "minimal damage" in the Indian strikes, and maintaining that all their military establishments and assets are completely safe.

Satellite images have already showed the damage inflicted on at least four of the critical airbases of Pakistan.

The Bholari airbase mentioned by Akhtar is situated near Karachi. Indian defence officials have stated that an aircraft hangar was targeted, and visuals confirmed that the structure had indeed sustained damage consistent with a direct hit.