Pakistan has issued a new NOTAM concerning the Rahim Yar Khan Airbase, which was targeted during an Indian Air Force strike in May 2025. The runway remains closed and the anticipated reopening date is August 15, 2025.
Sources indicate that the runway sustained extensive damage during the attack. The recent NOTAM indicates that the airbase is not yet fully operational, and its repair is ongoing. The Pakistani government last issued a NOTAM on July 18.
The airbase is strategically important, situated near Rahim Yar Khan city in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Flightradar24 data indicates the airbase has one runway, 01/19, with a bituminous surface, which is 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) long. This airbase is used extensively by the Pakistan Air Force.
This airbase is situated near the Indian border. Rahim Yar Khan is also strategically important due to its combined military and civilian functions, as it also houses the Sheikh Zayed International Airport.
During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force successfully targeted the airbase on May 10, 2025. The Indian forces used DRDO’s Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW), which heavily impacted the usability of the runway.
The ongoing issuance of NOTAMs shows that Pakistan continues to deal with the strategic impact of the strike and will require more than three months to fully restore the operational capability of the Rahim Yar Khan airbase.