In a controversial move that has triggered widespread outrage and mockery, the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) recently released a propaganda video that misleadingly depicts India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as a component of Pakistan’s military arsenal. The video, titled “Safeguarding Aerial Frontiers,” was disseminated on the official DGPR PAF account, and has since attracted significant backlash for spreading military misinformation.
The BrahMos missile is a product of a collaboration between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, recognized as one of India’s premier strategic weapons. With impressive capabilities, including speeds between Mach 2.8 and 3.0 and an operational range that can extend up to 1,500 kilometers, it is noteworthy that Pakistan does not possess this missile. The presentation of BrahMos as part of the PAF’s armament is thus not only factually incorrect but also potentially harmful.
Critics have pointed out various elements that undermine the video’s credibility, including unrelated visuals such as SpaceX rocket launches, gameplay footage from the Call of Duty series, Turkish Akinci drones, and Russian S-300/S-400 air defense systems—all misrepresented as part of Pakistan’s defense assets. This has led defense analysts and social media commentators to denounce the video as a “fabrication” and label it an embarrassment for the PAF.
This incident is not an isolated one; just days prior, on April 29, another video released by the DGPR PAF, titled “Pakistan Air Force Reaffirms Unwavering Commitment to National Sovereignty & Defence Excellence,” similarly featured inaccurately attributed footage, including images of the BrahMos missile. Such repeated instances of misinformation have drawn sharp criticism, particularly from Indian defense circles, with many viewing them as a disingenuous attempt to create the illusion of military parity between the two nations.
The release timing of the latest video is also seen as significant, coinciding closely with the Indian Navy’s successful test-firing of a BrahMos missile during a combat drill, a demonstration of India’s military prowess amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan. Observers interpret the PAF’s misleading video as an ill-fated counter-narrative, rendered ineffective due to its overt factual inaccuracies.
This misrepresentation has rekindled memories of a troubling incident from 2022, when an Indian BrahMos missile inadvertently entered Pakistani airspace, traveling undetected for 124 kilometers before crashing near Mian Channu. The episode raised serious concerns regarding Pakistan’s air defense and situational awareness capabilities, creating a stark contrast to the PAF’s current appropriation of the BrahMos missile in their propaganda efforts.
The ethical implications of such military narratives have also been widely questioned, particularly given the region’s volatility and the inherent risks associated with nuclear capabilities. Analysts caution that by misrepresenting military assets, Pakistan risks diminishing its own credibility on both domestic and international fronts.
Currently, there has not been any official response from the Indian government, but public sentiment in India has largely condemned the video. Many see it as an affront to India’s technological advancements and an irresponsible act of information warfare.
This unfolding episode underscores the growing complexities associated with managing propaganda and misinformation in South Asia, where the strategic deployment of narratives has significant ramifications for regional stability and peace.
