Pakistan and Türkiye Sign Agreements on EW and Other Projects - Quwa

https://quwa.org/pakistan-defence-industry/pakistan-and-turkiye-sig...

In terms of defence, the most notable agreements included an MoU for cooperating on air force-related electronic warfare (EW) as well as an MoU between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) and Pakistan’s Naval Research and Development Institute (NRDI).

Overall, it is unclear how much deal-making progress – if any – the MoUs represent, but these two deals could be a reflection of several ongoing Pakistani defence programs.



MoU on Air Force EW Technology

Through its official calendar and unofficial publication – Second to None – the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had confirmed it was seeking a new airborne stand-off range jamming (ASOJ) aircraft. The PAF also heavily implied that its recently acquired business jet, a single Bombardier Global Express 6000, would be the platform for this ASOJ aircraft.

It is possible that the recently signed MoU involved a commitment to either advance a deal centered on the Aselsan HAVASOJ suite, which could be integrated onto the PAF’s Global Express 6000, or to develop a bespoke solution.

Alternatively, the MoU could also speak to the PAF’s wider EW efforts, which involve a number of different homegrown programs. These programs include a communications EW (C-EW) for communications intelligence (COMINT) and multi-band jamming roles, GPS denial systems, passive electronic intelligence (ELINT) sensors, and many other systems for potential use by both the PAF and the Pakistan Army (PA).

While Pakistan is currently prioritizing domestic EW projects, the likes of the National Aerospace and Science Technology Park (NASTP), Defence Science and Technology Organization (DESTO), or National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) could be interested in drawing on Turkish technology inputs and expertise.

Interest in Turkish inputs would not conflict with Pakistan’s original EW project goals–it would be complementary. Pakistan lacks the industrial capacity to fully source each of the necessary inputs of its defence electronic programs, be it the EW projects or even the up and coming radar projects. Turkish vendors like Aselsan, Havelsan, Meteksan, and others could provide critical inputs, such as transmit/receive modules (TRMs), for example. Likewise, Turkish and Pakistani vendors could collaborate and jointly design and develop original solutions for the Pakistani military.

For example, instead of acquiring the Aselsan HAVASOJ, the PAF’s NASTP could tap Aselsan’s assistance to develop a custom ASOJ for the PAF. In this scenario, the PAF ASOJ would combine Pakistani-designed inputs with Turkish subsystems.

Pakistan, Türkiye to boost R&D collaboration | Daily Sabah


https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defense/pakistan-turkiye-to-boo...

Pakistan's commerce minister said Wednesday that Türkiye and Pakistan are dedicated to strengthening cooperation in advanced research and development sectors.

Jam Kamal Khan made the remarks during his visit to the Turkish Aerospace Pakistan office at the National Science and Technology Park in Islamabad, a statement by his ministry said.

The visit aimed to highlight the growing collaboration between the two countries, as well as to explore the innovative initiatives being undertaken within Pakistan’s advanced research and development sectors.

Turkish Ambassador Irfan Neziroglu, who received the minister, underscored the strong bilateral relations and Türkiye’s commitment to fostering technological and economic cooperation with Pakistan.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is a leading player in the aerospace and defense industry, known for its advanced technological capabilities and cutting-edge defense solutions.

Turkish Aerospace Pakistan focuses on strengthening collaboration in the aerospace and defense sectors while providing opportunities for technology transfer, research and development, knowledge exchange, and innovation.

Khan expressed support for the ongoing efforts at Turkish Aerospace Pakistan and emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships between the government, academia, and the private sector.

"The visit further strengthened Pakistan’s commitment to building a robust aerospace and technology ecosystem that can contribute to the country’s economic and technological growth,’ the statement said.

Last week, Pakistan and Türkiye signed 24 cooperation agreements during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Islamabad. The deals included a memorandum between TAI and the Pakistan Maritime Research and Development Institute.

From competing to beating US in numbers and tonnage, here’s how China built its shipping empire

PLA Navy now fields more warships than US Navy and is on track to deploy 425-ship fleet by 2030, sustained by industrial base capable of replacing, repairing vessels way faster than US yards.
SNEHESH ALEX PHILIP


https://theprint.in/defence/from-competing-to-beating-us-in-numbers...

New Delhi: The Indian Navy had plans to become a 200-ship strong force by 2027. But in 2019, it revised its target downwards to 170, citing an acute financial crunch. Contrast this to the Chinese. Over the past two decades, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has grown from a modest coastal force into a regional juggernaut with frigates, destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers being constructed and commissioned at record speed.

As of 2022, the PLAN was operating a battle force fleet of 351 ships, surpassing the US Navy’s 294.

According to the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China has already overtaken the US Navy in terms of hull count, and is rapidly closing the gap in fleet tonnage and key technologies like Vertical Launch System (VLS) missile cells. By 2024, China’s surface combatants deployed half the VLS cells of their US counterparts, up from just a quarter in 2019.

This stark growth is compounded by the fact that China’s naval forces are primarily concentrated in the Indo-Pacific, whereas US forces are globally dispersed.

Since 2010, China has dramatically reduced the tonnage gap with the US from roughly 4 million tons to under 1.6 million tons.

China’s emergence as a global shipbuilding powerhouse began with key policy changes that were initiated in the early 2000s. Recognizing that the rapid growth of containerized maritime trade would be a boon for global shipbuilders, Beijing began developing ambitious plans to position Chinese firms at the forefront of the industry. In 2002, Zhu Rongji, China’s premier and chief economic architect at the time, visited the headquarters of CSSC, where he declared that China would seek “to become the largest shipbuilding country by 2015”.

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China’s shipbuilding dominance a national security risk for US: Report


https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/03/11/chinas-s...

In only two decades, China has grown to be the dominant player in shipbuilding, claiming more than half of the world’s commercial shipbuilding market, while the U.S. share has fallen to just 0.1%, posing serious economic and national security challenges for the U.S. and its allies, according to a report released Tuesday by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

In 2024 alone, one Chinese shipbuilder constructed more commercial vessels by tonnage than the entire U.S. shipbuilding industry has built since the end of World War II. China already has the world’s largest naval fleet, the Washington-based bipartisan think tank said in its 75-page report.


“The erosion of U.S. and allied shipbuilding capabilities poses an urgent threat to military readiness, reduces economic opportunities, and contributes to China’s global power-projection ambitions,” the report said.


Concerns about the poor state of U.S. shipbuilding have been growing in recent years, as the country faces rising challenges from China, which has the world’s second-largest economy and has ambitions to reshape the world order. At a congressional hearing in December, senior officials and lawmakers urged action.

Last week, President Donald Trump told Congress that his Republican administration would “resurrect” the American shipbuilding industry, for commercial and military vessels, and he would create “a new office of shipbuilding in the White House.”



“We used to make so many ships,” Trump said. “We don’t make them anymore very much, but we’re going to make them very fast, very soon. It will have a huge impact.”

India (8.3%) is the second largest importer of arms over the last 5 years (2019-2024). Ukraine (8.8%) is first. Pakistan (4.6%) 4th, according to SIPRI.

India's arms imports mainly from Russia, France and Israel.

Ukraine's from US, Germany and Poland.

Pakistan's from China, Netherlands and Turkey


https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2025/ukraine-worlds-bigge...

https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/top-10-la...

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Chinese arms made up 81 per cent of Pakistan’s weapons imports in the past five years, as Islamabad buys more advanced systems from its long-standing Asian defence partner, according to data from Swedish think tank SIPRI.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3302515/china-supp...

That was up 7 percentage points from the previous five-year period to 2019, when 74 per cent of Pakistan’s arms imports came from China, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute database shows.

The boost comes amid a huge push in China to improve self-reliance in its defence industry – from aircraft carriers to sixth-generation fighter jets – which has also seen it expand the range of weapons it can offer to its strategic partners.

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“The apparent willingness of China to supply or at least talk about supplying some of its more advanced weapons to Pakistan shows China’s trust in Pakistan,” said Siemon Wezeman, a senior arms transfers researcher at SIPRI.

China has been Pakistan’s primary arms supplier since the 1990s. But Pakistan’s tensions with India – especially since a series of border skirmishes broke out in 2016 – have prompted Islamabad to increase defence spending, and that has drawn it closer to Beijing.

Beijing avoids formal alliances but Wezeman said it could be seen as “Pakistan’s only real ‘ally’, the only one to depend on when dealing with India”.

At the same time, Pakistan plays a similar role for Beijing and is “the only one that at this moment could give China a secure access to a base on the Indian Ocean and near the Middle East”.

In April last year, China launched the first of eight Hangor II submarines to be delivered to Pakistan in a deal worth around US$5 billion – one of the most valuable military contracts China has signed.

According to the SIPRI database, some of Pakistan’s key orders in the past five years include the country’s first spy ship, the Rizwan, more than 600 VT-4 battle tanks, and 36 J-10CE 4.5-generation fighters.

The first delivery of multirole J-10CE fighter jets arrived in Pakistan in 2022, adding to its JF-17 fighters – a backbone model that makes up the bulk of Pakistan’s fleet.

The fourth-generation JF-17 was jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group in a programme that dates back to 1999.

The Block III version of JF-17 – featuring an active electronically scanned array radar – was inducted by the Pakistan Air Force in 2023.

Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former PLA instructor, said China might also export its fifth-generation fighter jet, the J-35, “if Pakistan requests it”.

He said that since India was considering adding the American F-35 or Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets to its fleet, Pakistan was likely to be considering its options too.

China also delivered a range of surface-to-air missiles and defence systems to Pakistan between 2020 and 2024, according to SIPRI. They included a long-range HQ-9 system with around 70 missiles, some 200 medium-range LY-80s, and about 890 low-altitude portable FN-6 missiles.

Chinese builder launches Pakistan Navy's second Hangor-class submarine

https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/naval/naval-submersibles/chi...

The Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group of China has launched the second boat of a new class of diesel-electric attack submarines ordered by the Pakistan Navy.

The future PNS Shushuk ("River dolphin") and another three Hangor-class submarines, including class lead boat PNS Hangor, will be built in China while the remaining four boats will be constructed in Pakistan by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

All eight Hangor-class boats will be variants of the Type 039A or Yuan-class submarines being operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy of China.

Upon completion, the future Shushuk will have a length of 76 metres, a hull diameter of 8.4 metres, a displacement of 2,800 tonnes, air-independent propulsion, and armament consisting of torpedoes, cruise missiles, and anti-ship missiles.

The Hangor-class submarines will be operated on anti-access/area denial operations.

The second Hangor-class submarine is also the second Pakistan Navy submarine to be named Shushuk. The first was a French-built Daphné-class boat that operated under the Pakistani flag from 1970 to 2006.

This warship shows why the U.S. Navy is falling behind China.

Stocked with high-tech weaponry to protect against enemy submarines, missiles and drones, the Constellation was meant to address an embarrassing reality: The U.S. is now the global laggard in building warships. The U.S. chose a proven design from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in an effort to speed the process. Then the Navy started tinkering. Now, after 4½ years of design and construction, the project is only 10% complete, WSJ reports.

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https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/warship-shows-why-u-...

When a Wisconsin shipyard won the contract to build a new class of Navy frigate in 2020, the project was meant to address an embarrassing reality: The U.S. is now the global laggard in building warships.

Stocked with high-tech weaponry to protect against enemy submarines, missiles and drones, the USS Constellation was expected to be ready for the open water in 2026. That was because the U.S. chose a proven design from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri FCT -1.43%decrease; red down pointing triangle in an effort to speed the process.

Then the Navy started tinkering.

The hull was lengthened by 24 feet to accommodate larger generators and reconfigured in part because the design was based on the relatively benign conditions in the Mediterranean, and the propeller changed for better acoustic performance, among other time-consuming adjustments.

The effect: Like almost all other U.S. naval vessels, the Constellation is already years behind schedule and millions over budget.

Physical construction began in mid-2022, and after more than 2½ years, the project is only 10% complete, according to a person familiar with the timeline.

At this pace, including the two years of design time before building began, the ship will be completed in a total of nine years—around twice as long as it took an Italian shipyard to build the vessels it is based on. The Constellation, the first in what is expected to be around 20 to be built, is projected to cost at least $600 million more than its original estimate of $1.3 billion.

The Constellation’s slow production and extra costs help explain why almost nobody wants to buy new American warships—even as allies clamor for U.S. fighter jets and other weapons.

A festering problem for the U.S. has turned into an acute one, as the world order shifts rapidly and the Pentagon gears up for a potential conflict in Asia that experts believe would be fought in large part on the seas.

The issue is top of mind for President Trump, who is racing to address the problem even as his tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum would likely increase the cost of the domestically produced metals shipbuilders use.

Trump said in his speech to Congress this month that his administration wants to create a new Office of Shipbuilding, with the goal of producing more of both commercial and military vessels. The administration is also preparing an executive order aimed at reviving U.S. shipbuilding and cutting Chinese dominance in the industry.

China years ago leapfrogged America in making naval craft faster and for less money. From 2014 to 2023, China’s navy launched 157 ships while the U.S. launched 67, according to independent defense analyst Tom Shugart. The Chinese fleet is now the world’s largest, although the U.S. Navy says the quality of its ships are still better.


Most countries are faster at building. Of 20 different frigates made recently or set for completion soon in 10 different countries, all but one were or will be built in less time than the U.S.’s Constellation, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. Frigates are the medium-size warships used for submarine warfare and escorting larger ships, among other tasks. U.S. construction of destroyers, the larger, heavily armed warships, is also slower than other countries.

Pakistan Navy inducts 4th Damen-built OPV 'PNS Yamama' - Naval News

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/pakistan-navy-commissi...


The OPV 2600 is the largest member of four new second-generation offshore patrol vessels (other variants are OPV 1400, OPV 1800, and OPV 2400) designed by Damen Shipyards to support a variety of naval and Coast Guard missions, such as Border and EEZ surveillance, Counter piracy and smuggling, and Counter drugs- and weapons trafficking among others.

The 2600-ton vessel has a length of 98 meters, which is longer than the Yarmook-class OPVs Pakistan Navy currently operates. It has 4x 2350 kW diesel engines coupled to two CPPs that can deliver a top speed of 24 knots to the vessel. OPV 2600 will also be fitted with a bow thruster for close maneuvers.

The vessel can operate at sea state 6 and is capable of surviving at sea state 9 thanks to its active fin stabilizing system. It will be capable of accommodating 60 people.

The OPV 2600 will be armed with the main gun of up to 76 mm on the ship’s bow deck and two 20 mm guns as secondary weapons. The sensor suite includes a medium-range surveillance radar and an E/O fire control sensor. The ship will also be capable of helicopter missions with its helicopter deck and can house the helicopters in its hangar.

Under the aft deck there will be space for up to 5 containerized mission modules that can be loaded and unloaded using a crane.

Moreover, the OPV 2600 boasts the capacity for five additional mission modules, covering areas such as Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) with side-scan sonar, Mine Countermeasures (MCM), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle/Unmanned Surface Vehicle (UAV/USV), pollution control, hospital facilities, diving support, as well as energy and water-making facilities, among others.

Designed for sustained maritime patrols, search and rescue operations, law enforcement, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response missions, the scaled model crafted for the Pakistan Navy is also capable of Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and Anti-Air Warfare (AAW).

Google AI Overview of Pakistan Navy small but high tech

While the Pakistan Navy might be smaller in size compared to some regional counterparts, it is actively pursuing technological advancements and modernization to enhance its capabilities.
Here's a breakdown of aspects related to the Pakistan Navy's size and technological focus:
1. Size and Context:
Smaller Fleet: Compared to the Indian Navy, for instance, the Pakistan Navy has a smaller fleet size, according to Warpower: Pakistan.
Resource Constraints: The Pakistan Navy operates within a resource-constrained environment.
2. Technological Advancements:
Modernization Efforts: The Pakistan Navy is actively engaged in modernizing its fleet with new acquisitions and indigenous development.
Focus on Technology: The Navy is emphasizing the use of technology and innovation to improve its combat readiness and address evolving threats.
Key Areas of Advancement:
Submarines: Acquiring modern submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP).
Frigates: Inducting advanced frigates like the MILGEM-class corvettes.
Unmanned Systems: Investing in unmanned technologies, including drones and remotely operated vehicles.
Air Defense Systems: Strengthening air defense capabilities with new systems.
Maritime Patrol Aircraft: Upgrading its maritime patrol aircraft capabilities.
Indigenous Capabilities: Pakistan is also focusing on developing indigenous naval capabilities and shipbuilding.
3. Strategic Considerations:
Defensive Posture: The Pakistan Navy's strategy is primarily defensive, focused on protecting its coastline and maritime interests.
Regional Dynamics: The Navy operates within the context of regional naval power dynamics, particularly with India.
In Conclusion:
The Pakistan Navy might be smaller than some of its regional counterparts, but it's focused on enhancing its capabilities through technological advancements, modernization, and indigenous development efforts.

Munim 
@Munimusing
India may suffer billions in damages and a permanent blow to its blue-water ambitions – and the world will finally settle its debate on the satellite imagery of Pakistan’s early bet on niche, smart-tech asymmetry. The Pakistan Navy’s high-tech, pack-hunting midget submarines – fitted with modular, mission-specific pods for ISR, ASW, and strike – were designed for such a moment. Surgical, quiet, and lethal.

Yet this moment of reckoning wasn’t born of strategy; it was scripted by domestic politics. Indian leadership – obsessed with optics – pushed its military into theatrical deployments for electoral headlines. That recklessness has now imperilled the entire Indo-Pacific balance. If Delhi continues to demand visible retaliation or salvaging of prestige, it risks provoking preemptive shifts in both Chinese and Pakistani nuclear postures. Strategic restraint cannot survive repeated tampering by political amateurs. What begins as showmanship may spiral into full-spectrum escalation – beyond the control of any regional actor.

Unlike India’s overstretched and accident-prone underwater fleet, Pakistan has played a precise, quiet game at sea. Between 2016 and 2022, PN detected and filmed four Indian submarine intrusions – in 2016, 2019, 2021, and most critically, on 1 March 2022. The 2022 interception exposed India’s most advanced underwater asset: a Kalvari-class Scorpène. By tracking it inside operational waters, PN burned its acoustic profile – permanently compromising its stealth. It cannot be risked in high-threat zones again. For submarines, that is a kill without firing a shot.

This isn’t new. The Pakistan Navy has a history of overperformance under constraints – from striking Dwarka in 1965 to sinking INS Khukri in 1971, it has always punched above its weight. That doctrine of disruption remains alive in every officer today.
Apart from that, India’s submarine force has suffered chronic readiness failures and basic seamanship issues. In 2018, India’s $2.9 billion SSBN INS Arihant was out of commission for nearly a year due to flooding from a hatch left open while docked. Let that sink in!
In 2017, its leased nuclear attack sub INS Chakra was damaged entering Visakhapatnam. In 2024, a Kalvari-class Scorpène submarine collided with a fishing vessel northwest of Goa, resulting in two deaths. Even India’s legacy boats have fared no better – with the Sindhughosh colliding with a civilian boat in 2015.
This is more evident in India’s aircraft carriers. Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant are 70s-era concepts re-skinned with vulnerable tech. The GE LM2500 propulsion system is cyber-prone. The Shakti EW suite is rudimentary. L-band radars are inadequate for strike projection and can hardly protect, and the MiG-29Ks onboard offer little beyond visual-range optics. These are not instruments of deterrence – they are $6 billion liabilities.

In contrast, Pak Navy’s air-sea integration has matured in parallel. Pakistan’s legacy P-3C Orions, despite their age, have outperformed Indian Poseidons in actual detection and engagement theatres. Multiple PN’s AIP submarines have silently breached Indian waters undetected – and these are the same class of subs that routinely shadow US supercarriers in exercises. Indian Navy stands no chance.

Pakistani naval officers were reportedly hoping India’s carriers would enter their predefined kill web rehearsed for a decisive hit. Now famed CM-400AKG – PAF spec’d and OEM produced – was envisaged to destroy carriers actually and it was a tweaked version that destroyed Indian S-400s. Publicly listed at 240–290 km range, its true envelope remains classified. Its quasi-ballistic profile and terminal hypersonic velocity were designed from the outset to defeat moving carrier targets. There’s nothing in whole Indian inventory to counter that. Let the Indian Navy make its move, and the genius behind that design will be fully realised.


https://x.com/Munimusing/status/1928795359540621666

Munim 
@Munimusing

This isn’t about symbolism. It’s about hard, technical overmatch. Pakistan’s naval deterrent has been calibrated, integrated, and field-proven. India has exposed its best assets – and lost them – to a quieter, faster, more adaptive doctrine.

Platforms don’t win wars. Doctrine does. Discipline does. Integration does.
And the Pakistan Navy will run the same script the PAF ran: precise, humiliating, and irreversible.

https://x.com/Munimusing/status/1928795359540621666

Are Pakistan Navy assets networked with Pakistan Air Force?

Search Labs | AI Overview
Yes, Pakistan Navy assets are networked with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as part of their efforts to achieve inter-services integration and enhance interoperability.
Evidence of Networking:
Joint Exercises: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan Navy (PN) conduct joint exercises like "Sea Spark" and "RIBAT-2018" to validate war fighting concepts and enhance interoperability between naval and air assets.
Networking of Key Assets: There is evidence that Pakistan has an objective of integrating key assets such as AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft and surface warships through networking.
Data Link System: Pakistan has developed a homegrown data link system known as "Link-17" to facilitate data-link connectivity between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This suggests an effort towards achieving tactical operational benefits through integrated communication.
Air Support and Interoperability: The Pakistan Air Force provides essential air support to the Pakistan Navy to cover aerial threats, especially for the PN which lacks a credible medium-to-long-range anti-air warfare capability from its surface fleet. Joint exercises like RIBAT-2018 contribute to improving interoperability between the two services.
JF-17 Integration: The PAF's JF-17 fighter aircraft have been tested and equipped to deploy anti-ship missiles like the C-802AK. This further indicates integration and coordination between the two services.
In summary, the Pakistan Armed Forces, including the Navy and Air Force, have taken steps towards greater integration and networking of their assets, conducting joint exercises and developing data link systems to enhance interoperability and operational effectiveness.

Zohaib Ahmed 
@Zohaib_Author
Pakistan’s recent fielding and flight trials of the P-282 / “SMASH” anti-ship ballistic missile (ship-launched test reported at ~350 km range in Nov 2024) mark a concrete, near-term ASBM capability tailored for A2/AD operations and littoral denial. Technically, Pakistan’s ASBM approach emphasizes platform diversity and distributive launch (ship-launched P-282/SMASH plus sub-launched Babur-III SLCM), relatively compact ranges matched to Arabian Sea engagement geometry, and integration with naval ISR (UAVs, coastal radars, and satcom) to enable over-the-horizon targeting and terminal guidance, design choices that favour tactical surprise, salvo saturation, and rapid dispersal.

https://x.com/Zohaib_Author/status/1985455738446365056

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Zohaib Ahmed 
@Zohaib_Author
The Zarb coastal battery’s core strength is its networked, mobile anti-ship strike package that pairs long-range cruise missiles with integrated maritime ISR and fire-control, enabling rapid, distributed salvoes from dispersed launchers rather than a single fixed battery.
Technically, it combines coastal AESA or shore radars, EO/IR cueing, secure datalinks to airborne and shipborne sensors, and missiles with INS/GNSS midcourse guidance plus a terminal seeker for sea-skimming approach and target discrimination.
That architecture gives you three decisive advantages: stand-off strike so your shooters stay outside hostile air-defence envelopes, salvo saturation that overwhelms layered interceptors, and shoot-and-scoot mobility that limits preemption.

https://x.com/Zohaib_Author/status/1985644915305693216

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Zohaib Ahmed 
@Zohaib_Author
Why Pakistan Isn’t Losing Sleep Over the BrahMos Missile?

Once hailed as a symbol of Indo-Russian engineering genius, the BrahMos was supposed to change South Asia’s strategic balance. But in the 2025 conflict, it barely scratched the surface, literally. Despite its Mach-3 speed, Pakistan’s defences absorbed the strike with minimal damage.

The data tells a blunt truth: speed without impact is just noise.

Pakistan’s integrated air defence systems, advanced electronic warfare, and hardened infrastructure have turned the BrahMos from a “game-changer” into a glorified firecracker.

Read how perception met performance, and lost.

https://zohaibauthor.com/2025/11/04/why-pakistan-is-least-worried-a...

https://x.com/Zohaib_Author/status/1985636867363258411

Turkish Century
@TurkishCentury
🇵🇰🇹🇷 Pakistan's Navy has reportedly inked a contract with the #Karachi Shipyard to begin the construction of the advanced #Jinnah-class multirole frigate!

Based on the #ASFAT AS3400 platform with full ToT (Transfer of Technology), the Jinnah-class is the most recent outcome of the extensive Turkish-Pakistani cooperation in #shipbuilding and naval systems engineering that is rooted in the #Milgem-PN program that gave the world the formidable #Babur-class heavy corvettes.

Jinnah is a highly advanced 3300+ton frigate customized for the unique needs of brotherly Pakistan with the goal of complete domination of the seas, as well as the sky above and the depths below. Armed with #antiship, #antiaircraft, cruise missiles as well as heavy torpedoes, it fully covers all aspects of littoral & blue-water operations, anti-ship/air/submarine warfare, and power projection in the high seas.

First steel-cutting is expected within a few months with plans to build a total of six (6) frigates.

https://x.com/TurkishCentury/status/1985985856453120185

Sea Sultan Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (LRMPA)

https://quwa.org/pakistan/pakistan-navy/aircraft/sea-sultan-long-ra...

The Pakistan Navy’s (PN) Sea Sultan Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (LRMPA) represents a significant modernization effort to replace its aging fleet of P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. The PN currently has three Sea Sultan LRPMAs on order, but it intends to acquire 10 aircraft in total.

Overall, the Sea Sultan LRMPA is among several original PN programs, such as the forthcoming Jinnah-class frigate and 38.8 patrol boat. These projects signify the PN’s emerging approach of working with different overseas partners to co-design, co-develop, and co-produce solutions that closely deliver on the PN’s needs while working within Pakistan’s fiscal constraints.

Sea Sultan Program Background
The Sea Sultan program emerged from Pakistan’s need to replace its P-3C Orion fleet with a modern jet-powered platform. In 2018, the PN announced its interest in acquiring a new LRMPA, initially considering options from the United States.

In January 2020, the PN released a tender seeking one twin-engine jet-powered aircraft intended for use as a LRMPA. By October 2020, the PN announced that it acquired the aircraft, which was later revealed to be a second-hand Embraer Lineage 1000E. In September 2021, the PN officially launched the LRMPA program and designated the system as the “Sea Sultan”.

Program Development
Initially, Leonardo was selected as the prime contractor for the Sea Sultan program. Leonardo was tasked with designing, modifying, installing, and integrating the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and general maritime patrol package. Leonardo was likely chosen at the time for its past experience in supplying subsystems and torpedo-release hardware for the PN’s RAS-72 Sea Eagle MPA.

South Africa’s Paramount Group was contracted to manage the Lineage 1000E’s pre-conversion as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work.

However, in 2021, it seemed that the PN adjusted the terms for each contractor, with Paramount Group becoming the lead contractor and Leonardo focusing specifically on supplying hardware.

In addition, the PN also contracted the South African company Aerosud. Aerosud is supplying two sets of specialized interiors for the Sea Sultan, including mission-specific components like galleys, observer tables, class dividers, and equipment stowages. The design work for these inputs lasted for 18 months and was completed in early 2024, with manufacturing starting in May 2024.

Sea Sultan LRMPA Specifications
Base Platform (Embraer Lineage 1000E)
Length: 36.24 m
Wingspan: 28.72 m
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 54,500 kg
Range: 8,500 km
Service Ceiling: 12,000 m
Cruise Speed: Mach 0.82
Expected Subsystems
Main Search Radar: TBC (likely Leonardo Seaspray 7300E AESA radar)
Electro-Optical/Infrared Turret: TBC
Electronic Support Measures (ESM): TBC (likely RIBAT)
Defensive Aids Measures: TBC (likely RWR, MAWS, and Chaff/Flares)
Communications: TBC (likely HF/VHF/UHF and SATCOM)
Operational Roles
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW)
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
Search-and-Rescue (SAR)

Sea Sultan Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (LRMPA)

https://quwa.org/pakistan/pakistan-navy/aircraft/sea-sultan-long-ra...

Key Capabilities of the Sea Sultan LRMPA
Multi-Mission Platform
The Sea Sultan LRMPA will be a fully capable ASuW, ASW, and ISR platform.

In terms of ASuW, a scaled mock up of the Sea Sultan suggests the aircraft could be armed with four anti-ship missiles (AShM). It is unclear if these AShM will be a cruising missile or air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBM). However, it is worth noting that Pakistan is developing its own series of compact, but long-range, air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM).

It is unclear how Paramount Group will configure the Sea Sultan’s ASW capabilities. For example, it may use external hardpoints (like the RAS-72) for lightweight torpedoes, or an internal bay that is attached to the fuselage. External hardpoints would mean creating trade-offs between the Sea Sultan’s ASuW and ASW payloads. It is not known what torpedoes the Sea Sultan will use, but as with AShM solutions, Pakistan is also developing its own lightweight torpedo (Eghraaq).

As part of its original tender for an aircraft platform, the PN specified that it will use the LRMPA for ‘airborne early warning’ (AEW). It appears that an AEW role would be integrated into the LRMPA via its standard sensor suite. So, one could see a scenario where the main search radar is used for providing other air and surface platforms with situational awareness.

In addition, the Sea Sultan will also be equipped with an ESM suite. One could reasonably expect the PN to configure the domestically built RIBAT ESM suite to the LRMPA. This would provide the aircraft with electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities, i.e., an array of passive sensors designed for monitoring airspace for all enemy radar and communications emissions. These ELINT systems will record the transmissions of those radar and communications signals for use in threat libraries for electronic countermeasures (ECM)-based jamming and spoofing systems.

Extended Range for Long-Endurance Missions
As the Sea Sultan is based on the Embraer Lineage 1000E, it will leverage that aircraft’s range and endurance benefits. For example, the Lineage 1000E provides a ferry range of over 4,000 nautical miles, a significant boost compared to the 2,500 nautical mile range of the airliners the Lineage 1000E is based on, the E190-E2 and E195-E2.

Indigenous Subsystems Integration
The PN already leverages an array of domestically built subsystems, most notably the RIBAT-line of ESM systems and the ‘Link Green’ tactical data-link (TDL) protocol. It is likely that the new Sea Sultan LRMPAs will use both of these subsystems.

It is unclear if the Sea Sultan will use domestically designed sensor systems, such as an EO/IR turret or main search radar. However, both types of sensors are currently under development in Pakistan, with multiple vendors (such as NRTC and NASTP) engaging in radar work.

Indigenous Weapons Compatibility
It seems that Pakistan is working towards configuring the Sea Sultan with homegrown weapon systems. For example, the Pakistani defence industry recently revealed the Rasoob 250 ALCM and Eghraaq lightweight torpedo (LWT).

In the context of the Sea Sultan, the Rasoob 250 would make for a plausible option as its design echoes some of the concepts found in other lightweight ALCMs, like the Joint Strike Missile (JSM). The Rasoob 250 weighs 285 kg and offers a maximum range of 350 km.

While its warhead is small compared to most other anti-ship missiles (at 75 kg), Pakistan could potentially develop a larger variant optimized for the Sea Sultan specifically (and, consequently, closer in dimensions and weight to the JSM).

The Eghraaq is classed as an “ultra-lightweight” torpedo similar in capabilities to the Leonardo MU90 or Saab Torped 47. If it materializes, the Eghraaq could be a likely choice for use from the Sea Sultan. An accompanying sonobuoy is also under development.

Pakistan’s navy is set to have Chinese subs in 2026. What does it mean for India? | South China Morning Post

The delivery also suggests that Beijing has overcome a major technical hurdle in the vessels’ construction, observers say

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3332051/pakistans-...

Confirmation from Pakistan’s top naval official that Chinese submarines will soon arrive in the South Asian country suggests India’s dominance of the Indian Ocean could be tested and that Beijing has overcome a major technical hurdle, according to analysts.

In an interview with Global Times, affiliated with People’s Daily, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the Pakistani chief of naval staff, said the first batch of Hangor-class, conventionally powered attack submarines jointly built by China and Pakistan was expected to enter service in the South Asian country’s navy next year.

Ashraf said the submarine programme was “progressing smoothly” and notable for boosting Islamabad’s submarine force capabilities, contributing to “self-reliance through transfer of technology and skill development” and reflecting close Sino-Pakistani collaboration on naval equipment.

Chinese-origin platforms and equipment had been reliable, technologically advanced and well-suited to the Pakistan Navy’s operational requirements, Ashraf said, according to the Global Times article published on Sunday.

Emerging technologies such as uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence and advanced electronic warfare systems were becoming increasingly important, he said, adding that Pakistan’s navy was focusing on these areas and exploring collaboration with China.

Pakistan is the world’s largest importer of Chinese weapons, accounting for 63 per cent of Beijing’s total global arms exports between 2020 and 2024, according to a database compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The imports from China include naval systems. Islamabad has procured four Type 054 frigates – dubbed Tughril-class frigates in the Pakistan Navy – which have all entered into service since 2021.

Liselotte Odgaard of Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank, said New Delhi’s naval dominance in the Indian Ocean was being “challenged”, especially in the undersea domain.

Odgaard said the Hangor-class submarines would boost Pakistan’s anti-access and area-denial capabilities, particularly in the northern Arabian Sea, a vital route for energy and trade that connects to the Persian Gulf.

China’s strategic corridor via Pakistan’s port city of Gwadar and its growing presence across the Indian Ocean in Djibouti, Sri Lanka and Myanmar meant these submarines could support Beijing’s maritime routes to the Middle East, she added.

The Hangor-class submarines would also “significantly enhance Pakistan’s deterrence posture, complicating India’s maritime strategy and contributing to China’s broader Indo-Pacific ambitions”, she said.

Unlike its regional rival India, Pakistan’s navy lacks a nuclear-powered submarine, instead fielding five conventional attack submarines it imported from France.

In contrast, India has in recent years commissioned two indigenously developed nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines – the INS Arihant and INS Arighaat – with another undergoing sea trials.

Nuclear-powered submarines are deemed superior to other submarines, as they can submerge without needing to refuel. This allows them to operate at higher speeds for longer periods than their non-nuclear counterparts, giving them greater range.

Jagannath Panda of the Institute for Security and Development Policy, a Stockholm-based think tank, said a completed Hangor-class submarine fleet would “thicken” Pakistan’s sea-denial posture in the northern Arabian Sea.

Panda said this would complicate Indian carrier and surface operations, imposing higher anti-submarine warfare costs on sea lines from the Strait of Hormuz to the western Indian coast.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3332051/pakistans-...

He (Panda) added that while the development would not cause a “decisive tilt”, Pakistani submarines would bring a “meaningful, sustained increase” in Islamabad’s undersea leverage and China’s operational familiarity in the waters west of Malacca.

The programme “tightens China-Pakistan defence interdependence training”, giving Beijing a deeper, routine presence in the northern Indian Ocean region that “dovetails with China’s energy sea-route interests towards the Middle East”, Panda said.

The Type 039A submarines on which the Hangor-class is based can use air-independent propulsion that does not require atmospheric oxygen to generate power.

This eliminates the need for the submarines to snorkel over the surface every few days and allows them to submerge for up to three weeks and about 60 days of total mission time.

Odgaard called the inclusion of Hangor-class submarines in Pakistan’s navy a “significant” development for regional naval dynamics.

Under its deal signed in 2015, Pakistan was to procure eight Hangor-class, diesel-electric attack submarines from China based on the Type 039A submarine now in service with the Chinese navy.

The US$5 billion partnership between China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation and the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works was considered Beijing’s largest-ever arms export contract.

In 2016, the head of Pakistan’s submarine programme told the National Assembly, the country’s legislative body, that the first four submarines built by China would be delivered by 2023. Another four, built by Pakistan under a technology transfer agreement, were to be delivered by 2028.

However, Pakistan has yet to receive delivery of the first batch of submarines.

One reason for the delay could stem from China’s struggle to source the German-made MTU396 diesel engines, of which the Type 039A submarines require four.

In 2021, Germany refused to approve export licences for the engines for China, citing a European Union arms embargo imposed in 1989 following the Tiananmen Square crackdown as well as media reports that revealed dual use of the German engines in Chinese naval vessels.

The same issue was reportedly behind a delay in a deal with Thailand, which in 2017 approved a contract worth 13.5 billion baht (US$415 million) to buy a diesel-electric submarine based on the Type 039A submarine, scheduled for delivery in 2023.

Consequently, the submarine engines had to be replaced with Chinese-made CHD620 engines. In August, Bangkok signed a revised agreement with Beijing to resume the submarine procurement after the engine constraint halted construction in 2021.

Pakistan’s new submarines are expected to be propelled by the CHD620 as well.

Odgaard said the headway signalled that China had “largely resolved” the supply-chain constraint caused by Germany’s engine embargo.

“This is major progress for China’s naval export capabilities, allowing it to bypass Western technology dependencies,” she added.

But the Chinese variant of the engine has yet to prove its operational capabilities, particularly in noise vulnerabilities and integration into underwater systems. Concerns could flare over the engine’s application in Pakistani and Thai submarines.

Collin Koh of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore said the CHD620 engine had been reverse-engineered from the German MTU design.

To date, the Chinese navy has had no publicly known instances of encountering major operational issues, according to Koh.

“They could have also not just indigenised but enhanced these associated technologies,” he added.

“In other words, even if Chinese submarine propulsion might not be on par with Western state-of-the-art models, they could at least offer reasonable performance with the given price tag.”

Tactical Tipu
@Tactical_Tipu
Admiral Arun is very much right that India's Naval ASW backed by P-8 Poseidon will be a major player.

But fortunately enough for Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force enjoys complete air superiority and these ASW platforms could not be protected by any fighter of the Indian Air Force.

https://x.com/Tactical_Tipu/status/1987796790339653902?s=20

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Adm. Arun Prakash
@arunp2810
PN pursuit of Sea Denial strategy via acquisition of 8xYuan/Hangor class diesel subs will be countered by IN’s advanced ship/air ASW force. Of concern is this: by 2028 PN will field 11 subs equipped with air independent propulsion while we will have none! A 2022 backgrounder

https://x.com/arunp2810/status/1987470351329346043?s=20

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Sushant Singh
@SushantSin
Confirmation from Pakistan’s top naval official that Chinese submarines will soon arrive in the South Asian country suggests India’s dominance of the Indian Ocean could be tested and that Beijing has overcome a major technical hurdle

https://x.com/SushantSin/status/1987366830508319002?s=20

AI Overview
Pakistan is developing indigenous Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), such as the recently unveiled Israr UUV by Beyond Koncept, for missions like reconnaissance, surveillance, and mine countermeasures. These UUVs are part of a broader effort to enhance the Pakistan Navy's maritime capabilities and strategic self-sufficiency. The country has also made significant advancements in other unmanned systems, particularly its Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and other aerial drones.
Key developments in UUVs
Israr UUV: Unveiled in November 2025 by the Pakistani company Beyond Koncept at PIMEC 2025 and X.
Modular design: The Israr UUV is designed to be modular, allowing for the integration of different payloads and sensors for various missions.
Mission roles: It is intended for a range of naval operations, including intelligence

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Pakistan Revealed New Naval Drones. Does it Signal a New Shift?

https://quwa.org/pakistan-navy-news/pakistani-companies-drive-naval...

At the 2025 Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC 2025), Pakistani defence industry firms showcased the unmanned aerial system (UAS), unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designs they are currently developing.

These included the Stingray Technologies USV, as well as the Beyond Koncept “Muhassir” USV and “Israr” AUV. While marketed by seemingly private companies, each of these platforms appears to be in development at one of the National Engineering and Scientific Commission’s (NESCOM) entities.

NESCOM is the leading state-owned defence research, development, and production entity, with an ecosystem of subsidiaries specializing in different domains. One can see many NESCOM solutions in the product catalogues of Stingray Technologies and Beyond Koncept, thus revealing their actual nature as commercial arms of their respective NESCOM bureaus.

Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS), which generally works as the sales and marketing hub of NESCOM, also revealed a maritime variant of its forthcoming Shahpar III UAS. Interestingly, the concept videos of the maritime variant showcase a redesigned front fuselage alongside a series of specialized equipment, including sonobuoys, Eghraaq lightweight torpedoes, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and electronic and communications intelligence (ELINT/COMINT) suites.

Overall, the fact that no less than four different unmanned platforms are in development specifically for maritime purposes – i.e., three combat-capable USVs, at least one unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV)/AUV, and medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAS – highlights how much more emphasis the Pakistan Navy (PN) is placing on uncrewed systems for its long-term procurement roadmap.

In July, the PN leadership stated that it will pursue uncrewed systems for its surface, sub-surface, and airborne requirements – each of these concepts serves as proof of Naval Headquarters’ (NHQ) seriousness in the matter.

Beyond Nuclear: Pakistan’s Quiet Shift to Mass-Produced Conventional Strikes

https://quwa.org/pakistan-defence-news/beyond-nuclear-pakistans-qui...

On 25 November 2025, the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) Director General Public Relations (DGPR) announced the successful test-firing of the SMASH (i.e., Supersonic Missile Anti-Ship), an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM).

The SMASH has a stated range of 300-350 km and can be deployed from the Zulfiquar-class (F-22P) frigate. Being an ASBM, the missile includes a terminal-stage seeker – either active-radar homing (ARH) or (as with other Pakistani anti-ship munitions, like the Taimur air-launched cruise missile) – imaging infrared (IIR) for engaging moving targets.

The SMASH is one part of the PN’s evolving munitions strategy, which also includes the Harbah NG subsonic anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM), the Zarb subsonic ASCM, and the CM-302 supersonic-cruising missile (SSCM).

The Harbah NG is deployed from two Azmat-class fast attack crafts (FAC) (i.e., PNS Himmat and PNS Haibat), while the CM-302 was inducted through the four Tughril-class (Type 054A/P) frigates. The Zarb, however, is the PN’s primary coastal/land-based ASCM system.

There are several major discussion points from this test. First, and the most obvious, is that the SMASH is a sign of the PN building an anti-access and area-denial (A2/AD) strategy anchored to long-range munitions, submarines, special mission aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), unmanned surface vessels (USV), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV).

Several analyses by Quwa discussed each of these aspects separately, and these can be found in the list of articles below:

While the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) combat aircraft and the Pakistan Army’s long-range guided rockets drew the most attention in the May 2025 conflict, the PN’s relatively rapid quantitative and qualitative growth into a regionally impactful maritime power has not drawn the level of attention it merits. A future Quwa piece will tie these different aspects to build the complete picture of where the PN is heading and, for actionable perspectives, which reference points it could be using to develop its doctrine.

This article, however, will contend that Pakistan is seeking to scale its adoption of conventional ballistic missiles by integrating with China’s supply chain in the near term and indigenizing over the long term.


One sign of this is that the SMASH and Fatah 2, which represent the PN’s and PA’s respective missile programs, share a common platform. For example, both missiles appear to share a similar fuselage and aft-stabilizer configuration.

The stated ranges of each missile are more challenging to align. According to the PN, the SMASH has a stated range of 300-350 km, while the Fatah-2 has a stated range of 400 km. Furthermore, the ‘Abdali Weapon System’ – i.e., likely another derivative of this family (Fatah-3) but designed as a strategic/nuclear munition – has a range of 450 km. While different, the missiles do not vary significantly in their respective range coverages.

One common refrain against Pakistan’s munitions program is that they are simply procured off-the-shelf from China or ‘re-stickered’ Chinese products with a Made in Pakistan label. To be fair, the refrains are grounded in some facts, but in areas that are easy and tempting to conflate with the efforts of the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) to develop Pakistan’s indigenous munitions stack.

It is no secret that Pakistan is not an industrial power nor a key scientific R&D hub. Thus, one should expect even NESCOM to draw on Chinese technology inputs, but as one part of a chain feeding into an original design. In other words, the final product – with its performance, specifications, and feature set – would be designed by NESCOM, but, due to cost and domestic constraints, it will rely on both domestic and overseas (mainly Chinese) inputs.

Beyond Nuclear: Pakistan’s Quiet Shift to Mass-Produced Conventional Strikes

https://quwa.org/pakistan-defence-news/beyond-nuclear-pakistans-qui...

The key point is to understand the difference between an ‘original design’ and an ‘indigenous system.’ Longtime readers of Quwa may recognize that this author uses these terms to refer to distinct things. A country could design its own original solution; however, an original design does not necessarily mean that it draws on indigenous inputs.

One example is the Saab Gripen. Saab designed the fighter but sourced many of its critical inputs from other countries, primarily the United Kingdom and the United States. Sweden was still involved in the areas where it had expertise and could scale for production, but ultimately, the Gripen leans on British and American inputs – e.g., the GE F404/414 turbofan engine, the Leonardo active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar stack, and BAE technology for the flight-control system – to fly.

Thus, this author contends that Pakistan’s critical programs, including its ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and others, all leverage a similar approach. The solutions (e.g., SMASH) are original in that NESCOM designed them, but it drew on a mix of domestic and Chinese inputs to bring those designs into a serviceable state. Furthermore, as Pakistan builds its conventional strike capabilities quantitatively, that dependence on foreign inputs will grow in the short term, as there is no other realistic path to scale up production to the necessary volumes without integrating foreign suppliers.

The Whistle Blower
@InsiderWB
Breaking News:

Chief of Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi takes a jibe at Indian Air Force.

"Keeping our capital ships inside was a deliberate force-protection and perception-management choice. You deny the enemy the spectacle they are preparing for. In that sense, the Navy protected its credibility, and there is a lesson in this for the Air Force too: sometimes the strongest move against Pakistan is refusing the engagement they are trying to script."

https://x.com/InsiderWB/status/1996228955263627368?s=20

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The quote, which advocates for a strategic refusal to engage with an adversary on their own terms, is from an analysis related to a past military standoff involving Pakistan. The author is likely a military strategist or commentator, but their specific name is not available in the search results.
The full quote is: "Keeping our capital ships inside was a deliberate force-protection and perception-management choice. You deny the enemy the spectacle they are preparing for. In that sense, the Navy protected its credibility, and there is a lesson in this for the Air Force too: sometimes the strongest move against Pakistan is refusing the engagement they are trying to script."
The context is the strategic decision-making during a period of tension, likely an India-Pakistan standoff, where the navy chose a defensive posture (keeping capital ships in port) as a form of "perception management" to deny Pakistan a potential engagement or a propaganda victory (spectacle). The lesson offered to the Air Force is the value of strategic restraint and refusing to be drawn into a conflict on the enemy's preferred terms.