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In a telling sign of the intensity and precision of India’s Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has issued more than 30 emergency tenders to repair airbases and military infrastructure damaged during the cross-border strikes conducted between May 7 and 10. The repair contracts, amounting to millions of dollars, signal the scale of disruption inflicted on Pakistan’s air defence and support systems.
First reported by BharatShakti on May 22, the tender spree follows Islamabad’s official acknowledgement of seven previously undisclosed military sites hit by Indian forces on May 9 and 10—bringing the total number of impacted locations to at least 18. These developments come despite a ceasefire agreed upon by both sides shortly after the operation concluded.
Tenders Reflect Extensive Damage Across Pakistan’s Strategic Air Network
According to Pakistani documents reviewed by Indian intelligence agencies, the affected locations span critical airbases in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The latest Pakistani dossier shared with international interlocutors on May 18 confirms that Indian strikes extended to Peshawar, Jhang, Hyderabad, Bahawalnagar, and Chhor—none of which had been publicly disclosed earlier.
Among the worst-hit bases:
- PAF Base Nur Khan (Rawalpindi): Tenders include urgent repair of JF-17 and C-130 platforms, restoration of radar and communications systems, and replacement of MES vehicles. Individual projects are valued up to PKR 3.5 million.
- PAF Base Shahbaz (Jacobabad): Damage to hangars and operations facilities prompted procurement notices for a new firing range, site assessments, and FY 2025–26 contractor walkthroughs—signalling long-term restoration and planning.
- Sargodha and MM Alam Base (Mianwali): Sargodha has floated tenders for runway repairs, IT systems, logistics, and rations, while MM Alam seeks sealed bids for restoring mechanical and electrical infrastructure worth up to PKR 3 million.
- Rahim Yar Khan and Sukkur: Strikes reportedly targeted unmanned combat vehicle (UCV) facilities. Pakistan responded with tenders for the repair of radar and telemetry systems.
- Masroor and Rafiqui Airbases: These bases issued procurement notices for airfield lighting, IT hardware, and surveillance system kits, reflecting wider operational degradation.
Systemic Disruption: Beyond Runways and Aircraft
The flurry of tenders suggests damage far beyond traditional military hardware. Notices span communications, cybersecurity, transport, medical infrastructure, and daily operational logistics:
- HQ CM Air, Islamabad, has invited bids for cybersecurity testing tools, digital radios, and generator systems.
- PAF Hospital, Islamabad, issued urgent procurement requests for medical equipment, highlighting the strain on the health system.
- Faisal Base released tenders for a diverse list of items—sports gear, office furniture, and medical supplies—indicative of disrupted daily functioning.
Also notable are tenders related to the repair and retrofitting of DA-20 and AW-139 helicopters, pointing to potential setbacks in Pakistan’s airborne mobility and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) capabilities.
Strategic Implications: A Larger Operational Footprint
Operation Sindoor was initially believed to have targeted 11 Pakistani Air Force facilities, including Nur Khan, Jacobabad, Sargodha, and Bholari. However, Islamabad’s dossier now confirms Indian strikes on at least seven additional installations, underscoring the operation’s broader scope and deeper penetration.
The tender trail provides rare, concrete evidence of the mission’s impact—an indirect admission of vulnerabilities exposed across Pakistan’s defence infrastructure. The speed with which Pakistan moved to issue tenders across multiple services and domains suggests a defence establishment racing to restore operational readiness amid fears of further escalation.
Outlook: From Recovery to Deterrence
While the ceasefire has remained in effect since May 10, the pace and breadth of repair efforts indicate that Pakistan is not only focused on recovery but also recalibrating its defence posture. Tenders for digital vulnerability assessments, advanced telecom networks, and new contractor guidelines reflect a shift toward modernising critical infrastructure.
Although the full cost of the damage remains undisclosed, defence analysts estimate that the cumulative financial burden of repairs could run into tens of millions of dollars. As tender issuances continue, it is increasingly clear that Operation Sindoor has left a lasting imprint on Pakistan’s strategic calculus—and its defence planning for the months ahead.
Huma Siddiqui/Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
