NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India’s retaliatory air strikes under Operation Sindoor inflicted significant structural and operational damage to Pakistan’s air defence network, with at least 21 Pakistan Air Force (PAF) installations affected, according to a detailed analysis of procurement tenders accessed by The Sunday Guardian. The assessment is based on a review of emergency tenders issued by PAF and its Military Engineer Services (MES) over the past two weeks, reflecting an urgent effort to restore military assets and base-level infrastructure.
These tenders, while routine on the surface, reveal telling clues about the damage sustained during the strikes, launched in response to the Pahalgam massacre earlier this year. Notably, PAF Base Shahbaz in Jacobabad—home to Pakistan’s frontline F-16 Block 52 fleet—issued a tender for the restoration of its firing range for fiscal year 2025-26. The urgency and scope of the work suggest the strikes disrupted key training infrastructure. Bidders were asked to visit the site and submit sealed proposals by June 2, with tenders opening four days later.
At PAF Base Nur Khan in Rawalpindi, a series of tenders focused on repairs to systems tied to Chinese-made JF-17 fighter jets and American C-130 transport aircraft. Items listed include survival radio testers, overhauls of reconnaissance platform components, and high-level maintenance systems. Procurement requests for batteries, airframe accessories, and digital communication tools indicate broader logistical disruption.
A similar picture emerges from tenders issued at PAF Headquarters in Islamabad. These include urgent repairs for DA-20 fixed-wing aircraft and AW-139 helicopters, platforms critical for command mobility and aerial surveillance. One tender focuses on cybersecurity testing and resilience, pointing to potential digital vulnerabilities exposed by the strike.
Strikes also hit the unmanned systems infrastructure. Bases in Rahim Yar Khan and Sukkur issued tenders for rebuilding hangars used for unmanned combat vehicles (UCVs)—a capability viewed by analysts as central to Pakistan’s border surveillance and strike operations. These bases were part of the target list India released publicly following the operation.
High-value PAF installations such as Sargodha and Mianwali’s MM Alam Base show clear signs of direct kinetic damage. Sargodha issued tenders for runway surface repair, while Mianwali has opened bids for extensive electrical, mechanical, and plumbing works. These are not routine upgrades but urgent restoration efforts, launched on compressed timelines.
Other critical tenders involve restoration of radar systems, electronic warfare gear—particularly the Sky Guard DSI tracking system—and telecom tools. Base-level recovery extends to vehicle fleets, petroleum and lubricant systems, and perimeter security structures, including guard posts and surveillance towers.
Some of the most telling signs of the strikes’ scale come from non-combat facilities. The PAF Hospital in Islamabad issued emergency tenders for medical and surgical equipment, suggesting it handled either casualties or redirected support operations. Similar medical procurements were noted at Bases Faisal and Sakesar.
The full list of affected or actively recovering sites includes: Bahawalpur, Muridke, Malir, Lahore, Gujranwala, Chaklala, Rafiqui, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Sargodha, Shikari, Bholari, Jacobabad (PAF Base Shahbaz), Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Rawalpindi MES & GE Commands, Risalpur, Kallar Kahar, Mianwali (MM Alam Base), Faisal (Karachi), Lower Topa, and HQ CM (Air) Islamabad.
The speed of the procurement process reflects the urgency. Most tenders were issued within two to three weeks of the strike and closed in early June. Contractors are required to be pre-approved by the MES or Pakistan Engineering Council, with several tenders cautioning that incomplete or litigated bids will be rejected outright.
Estimated costs range from PKR 1 million to 3.5 million (about $3500 to $12,000), covering mid-sized projects with immediate recovery goals. Many technical procurement notices include clauses for delivery deadlines, warranties, and system compatibility, suggesting the military is under pressure to return these platforms to service quickly.
This report offers rare, document-based insight into the operational damage Pakistan sustained. Given the visibility of this information, analysts suggest future procurement may shift to more secure or classified channels to avoid public disclosure.
While Pakistan has not publicly acknowledged the scale of damage, the nature and breadth of these restoration contracts suggest that Operation Sindoor achieved its intended objective of weakening Pakistan’s air defence and aerial combat infrastructure.
