Islamabad: The damage caused to Pakistan's military installations in the air strikes carried out by India under Operation Sindoor is more than the reported damage. 21 bases of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were damaged in the Indian attacks, including aerial platforms and base-level support systems. This information has come to light from the tenders issued by the Pakistan Air Force and its Military Engineer Services (MES). After the Indian attack, tenders have been issued for the repair, upgrade and replacement of these bases. These tender advertisements have revealed new details of the damage to Pak military installations.
According to a report in The Sunday Guardian, bids have been invited to restore the firing range in the tender issued from the Shahbaz Base of the Pakistan Air Force in Jacobabad. The urgency of the tender and the emphasis on strike-related restoration suggests that the base's operations were disrupted by the Indian attack. The Shahbaz base hosts Pakistan's frontline US F-16 Block 1 fleet. The tender does not mention the aircraft but its timeline and range and relation to recovery suggest that the training infrastructure related to the US jet F-16 has suffered damage.
Losses at Noor Khan base
Tenders have been issued by Pakistan's Noor Khan base in Rawalpindi for repairs and replacements for Chinese JF-17 fighter jets and C-130 military transport aircraft. These include survivability radio testers, RD item overhauls and D-level maintenance systems for reconnaissance and support platforms. The base has issued tenders for digital communication equipment, batteries and airframe accessories, pointing to logistical losses.
Tenders have been opened for RD item repairs on DA-20 fixed-wing aircraft and AW-139 helicopters at the PAF headquarters in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. Both these platforms are used for command mobility, aerial surveillance and VIP transport. The inclusion of these aircraft in the repair log shows that the strike has caused major damage.
New purchases for cyber security
The tenders issued by the headquarters include purchases for cyber security testing, which points to possible concerns over the integrity of digital systems and network resilience after the attacks. Sargodha Airbase has issued tenders for runway surface repairs, a clear indication of major damage. Similarly, several tenders have been issued at Mianwali's MM Alam Base.
