KAMRA — On June 15, 1956, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) raised its No. 15 Squadron at PAF Base Mauripur. Christened the “Cobras,” the specialized tactical attack unit has spent the last seven decades developing a lethal operational reputation. From the earliest days of transition training on the Lockheed T-33 to the dawn of the supersonic era, No. 15 Squadron has consistently remained at the absolute tip of Pakistan’s kinetic spear.
The unit’s legacy of aerial interception began early. In 1959, a Cobras crew scored the PAF’s first-ever aerial victory by downing an intruding Indian Air Force (IAF) Canberra reconnaissance aircraft. The squadron later proved its mettle in the major conventional conflicts of 1965 and 1971, secured the western frontiers during the Soviet-Afghan war, and contributed precise Mirage strike packages during Operation Swift Retort in 2019.
Today in History
On 15 June 1956, Pakistan Air Force unleashed No 15 Squadron “Cobras” at Mauripur; a purpose‑built tactical attack unit whose emblem, a King Cobra with fangs fully flared, proclaimed exactly what it intended to do in the skies above South Asia. Within mere… pic.twitter.com/7CTdxY4rlk
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) June 15, 2026
Entering the 4.5-Generation Era
The squadron’s historic trajectory reached a technological peak with its transition to the Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon.” Operating from PAF Base Minhas, the Cobras adapted quickly to the 4.5-generation multirole fighter, integrating its advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles into their combat doctrine.
No. 15 Squadron Historical Lineage
• 1956: Raised at Mauripur; inducted T-33 and F-86 Sabre
• 1959: Achieved PAF’s first aerial kill (IAF Canberra)
• 2022: Upgraded to 4.5-Gen Chengdu J-10C platform
• 2025: Operational deployment in Marka-e-Haq
This rapid technological absorption was tested during the high-intensity air battles of Marka-e-Haq in May 2025. Facing advanced adversaries, the J-10C-equipped Cobras established localized air superiority by successfully neutralizing four Rafales, one MiG-29, one Mirage-2000, and one Su-30 fighter jet. The engagements underscored the potent combination of Chinese aviation technology and rigorous Pakistani tactical execution. Today, as frontline defenders, No. 15 Squadron continues to project unyielding, multirole air power across regional skies.
This documentary offers an inside look into the elite No. 15 Squadron, showcasing its transition from historical operations to the frontline deployment of the 4.5-generation J-10C fighter jet.
