THE LARGEST BEYOND VISUAL RANGE (BVR) AIR BATTLE OPERATION BUNYANUM MARSOOS: MAY 2025

Abstract

The May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict marked a significant development in contemporary Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) warfare, combining advanced fighters, long-range missiles, electronic warfare, airborne surveillance, data links and networked command and control. The research paper examines the conflict with emphasis on the aerial engagement between the two nuclear-armed rivals. Initially, it reflects on the operational lessons from the 2019 Swift Retort episode. Subsequently, it analyses the recent four-day India-Pakistan conflict of 2025 to draw key findings. Building upon the subsequent adaptations of both air forces, the paper demonstrates that operational outcomes in air warfare are independent of numerical superiority alone. Instead, the effectiveness of an air force is intertwined with sensor fusion, kill chain speed, electronic warfare and escalation management. Using a qualitative approach, the analysis draws on news, published content ad reports for the research. The study asserts that modern airpower can generate operational paralysis through decisional disruption. Hence, the conflict underscores the growing significance of integrated multi-domain operations, institutional learning and swift decision-making in high-intensity air warfare.

Bibliography Entry

Khan, Farhat Hussain. 2026. "The Largest Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air Battle Operation Bunyanum Marsoos: May 2025." Strategic Thought (7): 25-40.