Chinese YLC-8E Anti-Stealth Radar Destroyed by Indian Air Force in Precision Strike at Chunian Air Base

In a bold and significant operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has reportedly destroyed a highly advanced Chinese-made YLC-8E anti-stealth radar stationed at Pakistan’s Chunian Air Base. This event took place during "Operation Sindoor" — a precise Indian military offensive launched on May 7, 2025, targeting key military and terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan.

The YLC-8E radar was considered one of China’s most advanced air defence systems, specially designed to detect stealth aircraft like the American F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and India’s Rafale jets. Developed by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), this system was transferred from China’s own inventory to Pakistan in 2023 to enhance its eastern air defence grid.

What is the YLC-8E Radar?

The YLC-8E is a UHF-band 3D long-range surveillance radar. Operating in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) range, it is particularly effective in detecting stealth aircraft, which are usually built to evade higher-frequency radars.

Here are some of its key specifications:

• Radar Type: UHF-band active electronically scanned array (AESA)

• Detection Range (Stealth Targets): Up to 500 km

• Detection Range (Missiles/Conventional Aircraft): Up to 700 km

• Antenna Size: Roughly equivalent to two badminton courts

• Capabilities: Anti-stealth detection, missile tracking, target identification, and data relay for integrated air defence networks

• Key Feature: Powerful signal processing and anti-jamming technology

China had claimed this system was the world’s most advanced anti-stealth radar, capable of outperforming Western counterparts and forming a backbone of modern integrated air defence systems.

Why Was It Deployed in Pakistan?

The radar was positioned at Chunian Air Base, about 70 km south of Lahore in Punjab province — a forward-operating base crucial for both the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan Army Aviation units. Its placement was aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s Comprehensive Layered Integrated Air Defence (CLIAD) system against Indian assets like Rafale fighter jets, Su-30 MKIs, and long-range standoff weapons like the BrahMos and SCALP cruise missiles.

The deployment was also meant to monitor Indian aerial activities deep within Indian territory due to the YLC-8E’s extended detection capabilities.

The IAF Strike: Operation Sindoor

According to Indian military briefings and satellite imagery analyses dated May 10, 2025, the YLC-8E radar was successfully destroyed in a precision strike. Reports suggest that air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs), believed to be BrahMos variants, were used in the attack.

Alongside the radar at Chunian, Indian forces reportedly struck multiple air defence sites, radar stations, and command centres at Pasrur, Arifwala, and other locations in Pakistan’s Punjab province, severely damaging Pakistan’s early warning and air defence infrastructure.

A Blow to Pakistan and China’s Military Image

The destruction of the YLC-8E radar system has not only weakened Pakistan’s ability to detect and intercept incoming threats in its eastern airspace but also damaged China’s reputation as a reliable supplier of cutting-edge military technology.

Despite being hailed as a modern anti-stealth radar, the YLC-8E failed to prevent the Indian strike. This has raised serious questions about its operational effectiveness — especially when operated by foreign militaries like Pakistan. Some Chinese netizens have reportedly expressed frustration online, attributing the failure to poor training and integration by the Pakistan military rather than flaws in the radar itself. Similar criticisms have been made in the past regarding Pakistan’s handling of other Chinese systems like the HQ-9 missile system and PL-15E air-to-air missiles.

India’s SEAD Strategy and Technological Edge

Defence analysts believe this operation reflects India’s growing focus on Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD), a vital strategy in modern air warfare. By neutralising enemy radar systems and command centres early, the IAF creates safer operational corridors for its fighters, drones, and cruise missiles.

India’s use of advanced electronic warfare systems, ELM-2090U Ultra UHF radars, and real-time satellite intelligence likely contributed to overcoming the YLC-8E’s anti-jamming and target tracking systems.

The elimination of the YLC-8E anti-stealth radar at Chunian Air Base marks a decisive moment in the India-Pakistan military standoff. It highlights India’s improving offensive air capabilities and casts doubt on the real-world performance of China’s much-advertised military hardware.

For Pakistan, it represents a significant gap in its air defence coverage over Punjab — one that may take considerable time and resources to recover.

This incident also subtly underscores a broader message: that cutting-edge weapon systems alone cannot guarantee security without proper integration, training, and tactical coherence.