Pakistan likely used NATO-Style aerial tactics taught by China during Operation Sindoor
New Delhi: During India’s Operation Sindoor, particularly on 7 May, Pakistan is believed to have deployed NATO-style aerial combat tactics taught by China, tactics originally developed by Western air forces. This revelation, reported by ThePrint, has raised serious concerns among Indian defence planners and Western security establishments.
According to ThePrint, one of the key tactics observed was the "launch-and-leave" strategy, commonly used in NATO air forces. In this method, one aircraft fires a missile and disengages immediately to avoid enemy detection, while a second aircraft with superior radar capability guides the missile to its target. This coordinated tactic allows forces to strike at long range even in environments dense with air defence systems.
Defence sources told ThePrint that these tactics were likely executed using Chinese-supplied J-10CE fighter jets and the Saab 2000-based Erieye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems currently in Pakistan Air Force service. The sources added that China has trained Pakistani pilots in these advanced techniques.
What’s more alarming, ThePrint reported, is how China acquired these capabilities. Over the past decade, Beijing has clandestinely recruited former military pilots and air operations experts from NATO countries, particularly from the Five Eyes alliance (the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), to train the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
In 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that nearly 30 ex-British military pilots were being lured with lucrative contracts to pass on their expertise to China. A 2023 Der Spiegel report further revealed that former Luftwaffe pilots had also been training PLAAF personnel, with some possibly simulating combat scenarios involving Taiwan.
In 2024, a joint intelligence bulletin by the United States and its Five Eyes partners warned that the PLA was using private intermediaries in South Africa and China to hire former Western military personnel. These recruits include fighter pilots, flight engineers, and command center staff, all targeted for their deep knowledge of Western air combat doctrine and planning methods.
“The PLA wants the skills and expertise of these individuals to make its own military air operations more capable while gaining insight into Western air tactics,” the bulletin said. “This knowledge directly threatens the security of the US, its allies, and their armed forces.”
ThePrint notes that the resurgent threat lies not only in China's ability to modernize its own military but in its successful export of sophisticated air combat strategies to Pakistan. This transfer of tactical knowledge could significantly shift the aerial balance in South Asia and complicate India’s operational preparedness on its western front.
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Ready to face no-confidence motion, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Hassan (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the Congress government led by him was ready to face the no-confidence motion if moved by the opposition during the legislature session from December 8.
With Deputy CM D K Shivakumar by his side, he reiterated that they would both abide by the high command's decision on the leadership issue.
"Let them (opposition) bring in a no-confidence motion or adjournment motion or any other motion. We are ready to face it. Ours is an open book, transparent government. We are ready to face anything," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question.
However, BJP state President B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, clarified that the party, along with the JD(S) has not discussed or decided anything so far regarding moving a no-confidence motion against the government.
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The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi, bordering Maharashtra, on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
Not wanting to react to a question on the leadership issue, the CM said the Congress high command is very strong.
"D K Shivakumar and I will be committed to whatever the high command decides," he said.
Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, Shivakumar accompanied AICC Mallikarjun Kharge till airport from Vidhana Soudha, after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary, which had led to some speculation about possible discussion between the two on the leadership issue.
The power tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculation about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
However, both the CM and Deputy CM had recently held breakfast meetings at each others residences, on the instructions of the high command, which is seen as a move to pause the leadership tussle between the two and to signal Siddaramaiah's continuation as the CM for the time being, especially ahead of the Belagavi legislature session.
