Link-17
Link-17 is an indigenous military tactical data link developed and used by the Pakistan Air Force.[1][2] Link-17 enables Pakistan's fighter aircraft, AWACS, ground radars, and other sensor nodes to network and exchange targeting information in near real-time.[1] It was created to network Pakistan's Chinese, Western, and domestic platforms without having to rely on a foreign-controlled data link system.[1][2] A successor to the system called Link-17 Skyguard has since been developed by NASTP as an improvement over the original Link-17.[3][4]
Technical characteristics
[edit]Technical characteristics of the Link-17 have not been made public however open source analysis suggests that it is based on software-defined radio (SDR) technology and that it uses TDMA based structure with rapid frequency-hopping spread spectrum which gives it low probability of intercept and detection characteristics.[5][6][7] It also features encrypted messaging with standardized message sets for track data, weapons coordination, and text or voice traffic.[8] PAF's Erieye AWACS is the main sensor and coordinator node. It fuses tracking data from different sources and paints a shared air picture, and its broadside detection range is cited at around 450km.[8][9] Several aspects of Link-17 such as frequency band, data throughput, message catalogue, SATCOM capability are still not public.[8]
Link-17 also has the capability to interoperate with Link-Green of Pakistan Navy.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Khan, Bilal (5 April 2016). ""Link-17" – Pakistan's homegrown data-link system". Quwa. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
- 1 2 Singh, Sanskriti (10 September 2025). "Link-17 of the Pakistan Air Force". Global Strategic and Defence News (GSDN). Retrieved 17 August 2026.
- ↑ "ACAST & Avionics Division". NASTP. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
- ↑ "Pakistan's Defence Modernization: Where Is It Heading?". Quwa. 17 May 2026. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
- ↑ Niazi, AVM Liaqat Ullah (24 April 2024). "National Aero Science & Technology Park (PAF NASTP) – Second To None". Retrieved 19 August 2026.
- ↑ Khan, Bilal (19 May 2026). "How the AWACS-Guided BVR Narrative Was Built - Quwa". Retrieved 17 August 2026.
- ↑ Khan, Bilal (21 July 2025). "Pakistan's Next Great Military Project Isn't a Fighter Jet – It's an Invisible Network - Quwa". Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Link 17: PAF C2 System". 27 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
- 1 2 Khan, Bilal (3 September 2025). "Analysis: Pakistan's Underrated Maritime Air Presence – and its Future Challenges". Quwa. Retrieved 17 August 2026.