Following significant operational losses during Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has shifted its focus from acquiring additional Saab 2000 Erieye AWACS to developing an indigenous surveillance platform under “Project Zarb-e-Samaa,” utilizing the Embraer Lineage 1000E. This strategic pivot aims to enhance survivability against modern threats, especially after the loss of Erieye aircraft to Indian BrahMos missiles. The project, projected to cost between $800 million and $1 billion, faces challenges, including production bottlenecks at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and uncertainty around radar technology selection. The broader significance of this development highlights the continuing arms race in the region and the PAF’s need to adapt its capabilities in response to evolving threats from India.