India has steadily been beefing up its SAM capability. This will obviously impact Pakistan's ability to effectively employ strike aircraft and cruise missiles.
Some of the systems that the Indian armed forces are fielding include:
1. The indigenous Akash SAM system with a range of 30-40kms. Now being produced in the thousands, will become Indias main short-medium SAM system in the coming years. This is one system that the Indians are happy with and a rare success story.
2. S-400 Triumf - one of the most dangerous and long range SAM systems in the world
3. Barak-8. Medium range SAM system
These systems, except for the S-400 are not capable of threatening Pakistani skies, unless they come as part of an armoured assault. However, with the S-400 and other LRSAMs being developed, India, now has the ability to threaten Pakistani aircraft over Pakistani airspace. This could pose an advantage for them in augmenting their fighter fleet.
In terms of striking Indian targets, with the induction of the Akash and S-400, among other shorter range systems, entering Indian air space will become an increasingly dangerous affair. Relevance of Pakistan's Mirage fleet will decrease significantly towards obsolescence, at least for their Strike capability other than launching Ra'ad or other long range cruise missiles.
Pakistan has to come up with a solid plan to counter this Indian buildup. One possibility is to invest in UCAVs for strike missions. Another possibility is to replace the Mirage with a F-117 like aircraft - a stealth strike aircraft.
Some of the systems that the Indian armed forces are fielding include:
1. The indigenous Akash SAM system with a range of 30-40kms. Now being produced in the thousands, will become Indias main short-medium SAM system in the coming years. This is one system that the Indians are happy with and a rare success story.
2. S-400 Triumf - one of the most dangerous and long range SAM systems in the world
3. Barak-8. Medium range SAM system
These systems, except for the S-400 are not capable of threatening Pakistani skies, unless they come as part of an armoured assault. However, with the S-400 and other LRSAMs being developed, India, now has the ability to threaten Pakistani aircraft over Pakistani airspace. This could pose an advantage for them in augmenting their fighter fleet.
In terms of striking Indian targets, with the induction of the Akash and S-400, among other shorter range systems, entering Indian air space will become an increasingly dangerous affair. Relevance of Pakistan's Mirage fleet will decrease significantly towards obsolescence, at least for their Strike capability other than launching Ra'ad or other long range cruise missiles.
Pakistan has to come up with a solid plan to counter this Indian buildup. One possibility is to invest in UCAVs for strike missions. Another possibility is to replace the Mirage with a F-117 like aircraft - a stealth strike aircraft.