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Pakistani Rangers take part in the ceremony at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post on the occasion of Pakistan's Independence Day and eve of India's Independence Day on August 14, 2024. — AFP
#datalink #divide #modern #warfare #Pakistan #India
The modern war is no longer just about who has the latest jets or the largest missiles. The original game changer is dominated by information. Fighters, air -powered warning systems (AWACs), and the ability to distribute real -time battlefield data into surface air missiles (SAM) batteries. In this new era of fighting, Pakistan and India have been presented as a completely contrary – one has accepted a smooth digital integration, while the other struggles with a technical piece.
What is a data link, and why does it matter?
Data Link is a secure, high -speed communication system that allows military assets to exchange important information in real time. Think of it as a battlefield group chat – jets immediately distribute enemy positions, missile warnings, and targeting coordination immediately. For example, the US military link allows the 16 F35 stealth fighter to transmit target data to the Navy District, which can then launch missiles without delay. Without such a system, the pilots and ground forces work in a high -speed, high -stream environment to effectively blind.
There is a risk of threats behind security
Why don’t all militants use the same data links? Because sharing them means exposing the risks. Different military environmental systems speak “languages” associated with different data. NATO link 16, Russia’s TKS -2, and China’s proprietary systems are not compatible with design design -so that opponents can be avoided with reverse engineering stealth technology or electronic war capabilities.
A NATO member, Turkey, purchased Russia’s S-400 missile system, which operates on the TKS-2 data link. Issue? NATO’s F-35 stealth jets use Link 16. The S-400 radars could submit the F-35 stealth signatures, which potentially exposed them to Russia. The United States expelled Turkey from the F -35 program, which costs billions of Ankara. This confrontation indicates the risks of combining rival defense environmental systems.
India’s Rafael Jets (French) are the most developed in the region, which is equipped with: Aesa Radars (Superate Detection), Alka missile (200 km beyond range, beyond visual range), but they cannot negotiate digitally: SU-30mkis (Rossy, TKS-2) (Russia) (Russia) (Russia) (Russia). Network). France refuses to share Rafael’s source code, which prevented India from connecting with Russian or indigenous systems.
What are the consequences?
No real-time data sharing between Rafales and SU-30s, S-400 missiles can not get prompt target-making updates from Rafales, manual radio relays slows down the reaction times (10-30 seconds vs. millions), and is a diget that is 1 kilometer per second.
On the contrary, Pakistan has developed Link 17, a domestic, encrypted data link that connects: JF-17 and 35 Thunder Fighters, ZDK-03 Awacs (Chinese), HQ-9 SAMS (Chinese equivalent to S-300), and PL-15 (Chinese). During the Balkot crisis, Pakistan’s integrated network proved to be decisive: Oaks tracked Indian jets and tracked data to JF17S, JF17S launched SD10 missiles, while Sams was ready, there was no friendly fire. This real -time coordination allowed Pakistan to implement health -related surgical strikes.
Why should the fighters talk to SAMS (like S -400)?
India’s S-400 is a strong system (400 km limit, tracking 80 targets). But without data link integration, its ability has been disabled. Rafael pushes an enemy over 200 km – but cannot transmit digital points in the S -400. The S -400 will have to wait for your radar (600 km limit) to detect this risk – wasting valuable seconds.
Can they not only use radio?
Yes, but: Voice rally takes 10-30 seconds – manual input mistakes. Data links are transmitted to millions, error -free. In the modern battle, these seconds decided to win or defeat.
Fatal cost to pieces: India’s MI17 -friendly fire (2019).
During the 2019 Balakot tension, India’s own spider missile system shot Mi -17 helicopters, which was killed by a deadly freercide. Why? The data link between IAF fighters and air defense is not integral. Spider operators misinterpreted the helicopter as a hostile. This tragic incident highlights the dangers of the disconnected army.
In a fictitious war scene: Pakistan vs. India
Let’s imagine a future confrontation: Pakistan’s network approach: Awacs detect Indian jets 300 km away. Data was immediately shared in JF-17s and HQ-9 SAMS by Link 17. JF-17s Fire SD-10 missiles; Sims finished work. India’s unpleasant response: Rafael spots Pakistani jet but SU 30 or S -400 cannot be alerted digitally. SU -30 relis on voice radio – delay, confusion. S -400 Fire lately – the enemy first escapes or strikes.
The integration of raw firepower wins.
Who is ahead?
Pakistan’s link 17 provides a united, real -time total chain. India’s Rafales and the S400s are individually high, but the pieces weaken them. India lacks globally data link (such as link 17) to bridge the French, Russian and Indian systems. India will request France or Russia for access to the source code- or threatened- which the French will never accept.
In the Information Warfare era, a network harmony is a stand loan lead. Pakistan has improved according to this fact. India is struggling to fix its data link distribution. And the dangers of losing the next war before it begins.
