Chapter 2: The Eagle

The vast snow-capped mountains are now in sight, and beyond them lies the area controlled by Pakistan. Colonel Mohsin is speaking on the radio: "Eagle, be advised, the lion has missed its target. The enemy has not approached the Punjab region; their signals have disappeared. Our analysis suggests that they have mostly retreated, but it is also possible they are heading north, which is in your direction. We need you to remain at the border a little longer."

"Has it really disappeared? Finished," the pilot asked.

Are we going to turn on the fire control radar? Increase the search range?" asked Jafar behind.

No, we are still in the dark and cannot easily give up this advantage. You need to help me monitor the ground radar to the west, as they have some mobile missile positions deployed west of the control line

The lieutenant followed the procedure and first pressed the weapon preparation switch, connecting the power supply to the R73 seeker. The launch authorization indicator finally began to flash. If he were to lose his composure, he could launch the missile right now; infrared-guided weapons can be fired without knowing the target's distance or speed, as long as the person pressing the button is confident that the target is indeed within range.

"It is unclear; they just disappeared from the radar. There are too many mountains here, making it difficult to track continuously. It is important to note that their Mirage aircraft can fly at very low altitudes for a period of time. If these Mirages fly low along the border to the north, you can eliminate them from a distance, but do not get too close," said Colonel Xinna, whose first thought was always to preserve the squadron's aircraft, even when facing a Mirage 3 manufactured 40 years ago.

Unfortunately, our flight path is in the opposite direction of the battlefield; perhaps the fellows from the Lion Squadron might take advantage of this. However, I believe they will ultimately return empty-handed. The day before yesterday, one of their aircraft launched long-range missiles far to the east of Kasua, and as a result, the enemy aircraft managed to escape quite leisurely

Fortunately, we have also kept a hand in reserve, and you are still in the air. Continue searching in the direction of your 12 o'clock, remember the rules of engagement, only long-range attacks are permitted, do not engage in close combat

I suggest you maintain altitude and activate the fire control radar said the lieutenant colonel

"Eagle 302, this is Eagle's Nest. Bad news, the latest intelligence indicates that the forward base of Kargil has been attacked. These bastards are indeed evading radar to the north, they have played our air command for fools, those sons of bitches in Squadron 181 (the early warning aircraft unit that malfunctioned in the field)." The colonel said. Lieutenant Goya thought to himself: how can this be bad news? Is it just because the army lost a few bunkers? In his view, this is a great opportunity to achieve merit, but he cannot say it out loud. Lieutenant Goya thought to himself: how can this be bad news? Is it just because the army lost a few bunkers? In his view, this is a great opportunity to achieve merit, but he cannot say it out loud

Alright, leave it to me

No, that will only alert the snake by disturbing the grass

The laser ranging has failed, it is still too far, perhaps 25 kilometers ahead, with an altitude of approximately 1600 meters

The dashed target on the heads-up display has been divided into two parts. It is now confirmed that there is more than one enemy aircraft, and the signal from the one in front is quite unclear, possibly obscured by clouds and mist

The aircraft taxied for a distance, lifted off the runway, and Goya pushed the throttle back to the middle position, stopping the afterburner. After retracting the landing gear, the aircraft circled over Bareilly Airport and flew in a northwestern direction

Do you see the snow-capped ridge ahead? If we cross over, we are sure to make some discoveries

Goya descended to an altitude of 2,700 meters, and the mountain range ahead was clearly visible. He tilted slightly to one side, lowering the angle as he glided past the snow-capped peaks along the ridge. Communication with the ground was immediately cut off, and a few seconds later, his heads-up display showed a thin line composed of a series of light points, as if the infrared search and tracking system had detected an enemy aircraft.

For Lieutenant Goya, the positive aspect was that the enemy had their backs turned to him, allowing him to take a little time to stealthily catch up to them, while the enemy aircraft remained oblivious. The downside, however, was that if the ground radar at the nearby enemy position was activated, his own movements would also be exposed

Oh, by the way, there is one more thing. Missiles can cross the control line, but your aircraft cannot. Provoking war is the responsibility of Congress, not your task

"Brother, we only have 2 combat missiles. Why not use the fire control radar and fire guided missiles at them," said Jafar.

Gradually, the Su-30 fighter jets approached the vicinity of the actual control line from the northern hinterland. The radar warning device flickered intermittently; Gafar checked and found that they were merely G-band radio signals emitted by ground navigation radars or the SAM-6 missile positions of the 19th Infantry Division, and not radar signals from the direction of Pakistan

I am aware of the 33rd Squadron of Goodbar, which is a rather ordinary tactical attack squadron, consisting of some outdated aircraft. Well... in short, there are a few Mirages and some Chinese-made MiGs," said Jafar in the back seat, his tone somewhat dismissive

However, the rules of engagement prohibit us from crossing the actual control line

"Lions are always too reckless. Their tactic is to turn on the radar and patrol ostentatiously, afraid that others do not know. " said the weapons operator Jafar

Goya pushed the throttle forward, and the seat began to push against his back forcefully as the aircraft quickly accelerated to 850 kilometers per hour. Clearly, the enemy aircraft would not immediately flee to the west after dropping their bombs. They would likely take advantage of the mountains to hide for a while, just as they had stealthily approached. The lieutenant calculated his strategy well and headed straight for the general direction, having long disregarded the engagement rules set by the colonel.

Received. The lieutenant had a premonition that he might inadvertently hit the mark this time. If the enemy was secretly flying north along the border, he might be positioned at a relatively small right azimuth angle, which meant he was in a sort of advantageous trailing position. He did not follow the major's orders to turn on the radar; instead, he simply powered on the IRST device and entered infrared signal scanning mode. This was a passive search method that was not easily detectable, providing a field of view similar to that of radar at close range and better target resolution. In other words, he was in a sort of advantageous trailing position. He did not follow the major's orders to turn on the radar; instead, he simply powered on the IRST device and entered infrared signal scanning mode. This was a passive search method that was not easily detectable, providing a field of view similar to that of radar at close range and better target resolution.

A bad piece of news came from the radio; the first uncertain event had occurred. In the tradition of the Indian Air Force, such unforeseen events are always unavoidable. Lieutenant Goya was unconcerned; he continued on his preset course at an altitude of 4,500 meters, maintaining a moderate speed, and this flight path was essentially a straight line

The information on the heads-up display is constantly changing, and as the infrared signal strengthens, the search system continues to scan. The target lock frame has successfully encircled the target and has entered tracking mode. The lieutenant chose the R73 missile, which is the most reliable ambush weapon; unfortunately, his aircraft only has 2 of them, while the remaining hardpoints are loaded with heavy semi-active radar-guided missiles, which are Colonel Moxin's preferred method of attack. The lieutenant chose the R73 missile, which is the most reliable ambush weapon; unfortunately, his aircraft only has 2 of them, while the remaining hardpoints are loaded with heavy semi-active radar-guided missiles, which are Colonel Moxin's preferred method of attack.

The enemy aircraft in front exhibited no maneuverability, remaining unaware of the pursuer behind them. The lieutenant had reduced the distance between them to approximately 4 to 5 kilometers, and he could now clearly see the tailless rear design of the aircraft behind, which was evidently a Mirage V fighter-bomber. There were no fuel tanks or bombs under the enemy's wings, suggesting that it likely carried two Magic missiles. The leading aircraft further ahead was still not visible to the naked eye. The lieutenant contemplated that launching an infrared missile first would certainly allow him to discreetly eliminate one opponent, or he could immediately switch to a typical radar mode for simultaneous scanning and tracking, enabling him to fire several R27 missiles (there were 6 on the aircraft) to attack both targets at once. However, the enemy's RWS would immediately issue a warning, and they would undoubtedly take countermeasures, potentially turning the situation into a genuine 2 against 1, which posed a dilemma for him.

Understood

Eagle 302, this is Eagle's Nest. The early warning aircraft at the New Dan base has temporarily malfunctioned and seems to have returned to base. You are still navigating via ground radar. Over.

"I hope so, they are adept at utilizing the nearby mountainous terrain to evade radar tracking," Goya said

Goya was well aware that targets not detectable by ground radar must be hiding behind the mountains. It was foreseeable that they intended to make a large detour to escape, as the terrain became increasingly elevated further north

I still cannot see clearly, perhaps it is a very small airplane

Do not worry too much; if I am not mistaken, they are probably fleeing in the direction of 1 o'clock, at a 90-degree angle. In such a situation, we can definitely open fire first

Received

Based on Goya's experience, if he can barely see a Mirage III or a MiG-21 type of small aircraft during the daytime, then the distance is approximately between 8 and 10 kilometers. However, he still cannot clearly see the aircraft now, so he must continue to track it

The radio paused for a moment, then buzzed back to life.