Following the Indian Air Force’s precision strikes on Sargodha airbase in May 2025, the Pakistan Air Force has moved swiftly to repair the heavily cratered runways, but visible patchwork remains a stark reminder of the damage inflicted. India’s strikes, targeting key airbases across the border, were aimed at disrupting PAF’s operational readiness, and Sargodha-home to the elite No. 9 ‘Griffins’ Squadron and their F-16s-was among the highest-profile targets.
Since the raids, efforts by PAF engineers have restored basic functionality to the airbase, but satellite imagery and ground reports reveal the rapid runway repairs were more of a stop-gap than a comprehensive resurfacing. At the intersection of runway 06/24, the once-smooth tarmac now bears obvious scars where craters have been hastily patched. Similarly, fresh repairs are visible on the midsection of runway 14/32, where debris was cleared and concrete poured to fill the impact points.
Pilots and ground crews can feel the difference every time an F-16 or other aircraft taxies over these patched segments. The uneven surface makes the ride noticeably bumpy, particularly for the sleek Griffins as they head out for training sorties or patrol missions. The difference between the original and repaired sections of the runways is not just visual; it’s also tangible to those in the cockpit.
The quality of repair has become a point of mockery among Indian defense circles and aviation enthusiasts, who highlight the visible patchwork as evidence of lasting Indian impact and PAF’s scramble to regain operational status rapidly. Online forums and military analysts point to the clearly distinguishable scars on satellite images, using them as a symbol of India’s brief but effective show of force.
For PAF, while basic air operations out of Sargodha have resumed, the question remains whether these quick fixes will hold up under the strain of routine fighter operations or repeated heavy takeoffs. There is also a lingering concern for flight safety and the risk of foreign object debris if the repairs aren’t upgraded to more permanent standards soon.
As the Griffins’ F-16s rumble down the runways on their way to patrol Pakistan’s skies, each bumpy taxi is a subtle reminder of the high-stakes aerial duel of May 2025 and signals the complexities of military recovery under international scrutiny and ongoing regional tensions.
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