Thanks to the suggestion from an Indian friend of mine, , I decided to dedicate a chapter for one of the opening movements and skirmishes between India and the UCC, before hell breaks loose.

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"Radar contact, bearing one-three-five, range two hundred klicks," relayed an Indian Navy E-2F Advanced Hawkeye into the bridge of Indian Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier INS Vishal (R55). "Inbound course, speed five hundred knots." an Indian admiral turned to his fleet-operations officer and nodded. Captain Prayag Singh lifted a phone and spoke. His fleet was off the normal commercial sea and air routes, and the timing told him what the inbound track would be.

Six unmanned ex-Pakistani JF-17 Block IVs from the United Caliphate Confederation Air Force (UCCAF) along with the same number of newer, manned JF-20 Chukar 5th generation fighters, streak across the skies skirting the confederations exclusive economic zone of the Arabian Sea. Soon the Vishal launched two brand new HAL Abhaya N (Naval), a development of HAL Abhaya/AMCA project, into the sky for Combat Air Patrol, followed by two more Abhayas.

It's overall commander, Rear Admiral David Fernandes, know that he doesn't alone; The Indonesians had him know that their carrier, KRI Majapahit were in the area, 100 miles away from their position, but can still mutually supporting each other if necessary. Furthermore they had also confirmed increased activity across the Arabian Sea since the last six month and had even engaged some of their sniffers and fighters. Along with Majapahit, the recently-remilitarized Japanese also had called the Admiral to make him know the presence of their own, the JNS Zuikaku (CVN-32), along with American Ford-class USS Saratoga (CVN-81) in the area as part of their PPDU commitment in the Naval Strike and Support Force.

Braving risk of UCC's ballistic missile capability, the carriers steamed on full speed on patrol.

"Keep the SAM and DEAD system on" Captain Singh ordered.

"Agreed, Captain. As we know. They understand nothing about our systems here, despite their hacking feat." nodded Admiral Fernandes. The Indians' precise radar frequencies, pulse width, and repetition rates were not open information, and the UCC spooks and hackers had probably tried to find out but the heavily encrypted and secretive radar information for both SAM and directed-energy systems had been kept under wraps. Furthermore the Indians had also deliberately passed them false or outdated data about it, thanks to it's upgrades. That meant that they might not be able to jam or spoof his systems-probably they could, but they wouldn't be certain of it, and it was the lack of certainty that would worry them. It wasn't much of a card, but it was the best in Fernandes' current hand.

"We're going to notice their approach, meet them, and show them the door." said the Admiral again, as he sipped at his Darjeeling tea.

Singh nodded and went off without a word to express his building rage. It was to be expected. He was the fleet-operations officer, and his was the task of preparing a plan to sunk the UCC navy into the deep blue sea in the worst scenario, with or without allies from the PPDU, in which India was one of its founding members. Despite he's fully informed about allied presence in the area, the strain of his position are still significant. Meanwhile, Fernandes asked the air officer. "How are the pilots doing?"

The officer, Captain Phunsuk Wangdu, from Ladakh, answered the Admiral, proudly. "So far so good, but they are anxious while eager to finally duke it out with those Caliphates again." It's an open secret that the UCC next target for invasion will be India, and the talks are no longer about if they will invade, but when. His pilots, both manned and unmanned crafts, were superb. Fernandes ate and intermingle with them often, drawing courage from the proud faces in the ready rooms. They were fine young men and women, the equal of any carrier pilots in all the world, the best India could offer.

After several terrorist attacks and foiled plots targeting Indian important civilian and military targets, including the failed assassination attempt of the country's President using drones, ironically a Muslim named Ahmad Khan, the Indian Armed Forces had launched several surgical strikes repeatedly near the Line of Control. Soon, the United Caliphate Confederation Military Forces (UCCMF), had increased their readiness to cross the International Border and the Line of Control with the addition of troops and heavy armor, both from the regular army and the Quds Legion, an elite force loyal only to the Caliph.

The Caliphate also intensified their patrol in their part of the Arabian Sea; deploying a flotilla consists of a single Aquitaine class-derived destroyer, Harun al-Rashid (D401); three Tabouk-class destroyers, a copy of Chinese Luyang-III class, Tabouk (D511), Babur (D512), and Akbar (D514); along with Turkish-originated TF-2020 type frigates Gwadar, Karachi, and Adnan, supported by a ZDK-03 AWACS, itself directing the ex-Pakistani fighter formations, along with two ex-Saudi P-8 Poseidons to look for Indian and PPDU surface and submerged vessels.

The UCC fighters has done refuelling on an orbiting ex-Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 777-200LR converted into an air-tanker after the formation of the UCC. Their job was to defend the fleet from any unwanted aerial and surface threat as they were adequately equipped to handle both threats with the following load out. for the Chukars; eight locally-made SD-10C BVRAAM in central weapons bay and two stealth weapons pods, and four, also locally made, A-Darter WVRAAMs. The Thunders were loaded almost the same, with exception of four less SD-10s. Four more JF-20s were on cockpit standby alert at Masroor AFB, in case the enemy decides to throw the challenge. while six Thunders were on high alert at Faisal AFB. They were additionally equipped with also indigenously manufactured, CM-400 AKG missiles, ready to saturate any warship in the area with a barrage of missiles. Especially in case of the Indians, which have limit of 20 missiles in its newest class of frigates; the Project 18 Brahmaputra (II) class. Six more were on 10 minutes alert in case something goes wrong.

Furthermore, other UCC member-states also began transferring more and more equipment to Pakistani territory either by air, road, and rail, namely two squadrons of Turkish-made TF-25 fifth generation fighters, While the said Turkish fighter arrived along their support equipment and some ordnances within 48 hours of the request, remaining material was sent by sea via Saudi Arabia to avoid Israeli surveillance, under escort of the UCC Naval Forces. In response, the Indians and its allies began to enforce a blockade in the Arabian Sea, with submarines, both diesel and nuclear, were put in the front of the effort in an unrestricted submarine warfare campaign, while the carriers were stationed to back the effort from the 'Silent Service' sailors. Especially, to get ASW planes off their backs.

The PPDU could also count on the large number of planes possessed by the IAF and Indian-based allied aircraft from Korea, Japan, and Indonesia in the effort, further added by American and British planes based in Diego Garcia, to their advantage.

In addition, the Americans had deployed a mobile offshore base somewhere in the south of Maldives, upon the successful removal of it's UCC-symphatizing government by an Indian-led military intervention.

Their decision to launch a blockade were also helped by the fact that NATO is already at war with the UCC after the latter attempted to invade Israel a year ago as well as the agreement of Russia and China and their allies in the Vladivostok Pact to also not recognize the existence of the Caliphate in the first place.

On the other hand the sea blockade could be off-set by road and rail transports from Iran. Still, any sea blockade would still reduce the efficiency of the resupply operations.

Speaking of the Indian carrier strike group, it consist of the flagship INS Vishal, one Project 15B Visakhapatnam-class destroyers; INS Visakhapatnam, and two of its -15C variant, INS Uduppi, and INS Kochi; four frigates, two Project 17A Satmala-class frigates; INS Niilgiri and INS Palni, and two newer Brahmaputra (II) class; INS Krishna and INS Kundali. The task force also had two Abhay (II) class anti-submarine corvettes; INS Abhay and INS Ajay, and last, INS Kiran, a fast combat support ship developed from earlier Aditya-class. There were also up to 10 various types of unmanned surface and sub-surface vessels, while not given names, are still regarded as commissioned ships in the Indian Navy with various roles, including two "arsenal ships" of surface to air and cruise missiles, and up to six anti-submarine warfare drones.

In addition, two Brahmastra-class nuclear attack submarine; INS Brahmastra and INS Pashupatastra (also known as Pasupati or Pasopati in the Indonesian adaptation of Mahabharata) had already assumed its patrol inside UCC controlled waters accompanied by a Royal Navy Astute-class HMS Agamemnon, forward-deployed in Australia.

Meanwhile bordering the EEZ from Pakistan down into Oman, a pack of coalition diesel submarines consisted of two Indian Scorpene-class, INS Vela and Vagir; two Japanese Souryuu-class; JNS Hiryuu and Unryuu; and three Type 218 operated by Singapore and Indonesia; RSS Invincible, KRI Nagabanda and KRI Kunta were mostly laying command detonated mines and gather signal intelligence using their masts or underwater listening stations, in conjunction with their accompanying underwater drones saturating the water, ready to blow up any ship which challenged the pack.

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Saif, another ex-Pakistani upgraded Zulfiqar-class frigate operated by UCC Naval Forces was already leading the friendly ship from Turkey. Shadowing Saif and the Turkish-originated cargo and its own TF-2000 type escort ships was Ghazi, a reverse engineered Shang-class nuclear attack submarine at a depth of 500 ft. Equipped in a Hunter-Killer configuration, the submarine was prepared to attack both surface and subsurface combatants if need arises. The Shang-class were also flanked by two former Saudi Type-214 submarine acquired from Germany in early 2020s which survived the Saudi-Iran war; S112 and S118.

Furthermore the Shang-class in UCC service were also known to carry nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. ICBMs including submarine-based one were declared obsolete thanks to the newly unveiled Global Missile Shield Treaty and the new anti-radiation nanomachines but cruise missiles and free-fall nuclear bombs were still maintained in some degree.

However, the UCC submarine group is outnumbered and outgunned even with it's own UUVs, thanks to the presence of PPDU wolfpack in the area, but it's crewmembers, and the submarine service in general, are the elite of the UCC Navy and ready to kill as many ships and sub before martyrdom.

Alongside the fleet were two PAC/Harbin Z-20EC anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters airborne with both their surface radars as well as other sensors to detect the PPDU wolfpack. The flotilla was only 250 km away from Karachi and just 80 km away from the RV point with the other UCCNF ships, when the Saif received a message on the international maritime alert frequency. "This is the captain of INS Vishal of the Indian Navy. On behalf of the PPDU and NATO we have enforced a blockade from sea and air. Repeat, this water is under naval and air blockade. You are not allowed to transit further north to Karachi. Change your course immediately otherwise you will be engaged and destroyed."

Saif captain knew that he is facing a mighty, multinational armada but with close proximity with the other ships in the area he decided to press on, "We are operating in Caliphate Territorial Waters and does not honor your naval blockade. It is our intention to remain on course..."

"No compliance Admiral, they're pressing on" Singh called out. Fernandes sipped on his tea again, looked at the large display showing aircraft flight charts and line up on the Bridge and called for a major scramble.

"Let's give them a larger 'persuasion' especially I believe that our allies were also doing the same, Admiral." Turning to Capt. Mehta he calmly said, "Launch four Abhayas and six Sea Ghataks and one Sea Hawk tanker (DRDO Aura) for refueling. And also get ASW helos airborne as well, coordinate with escort, shore assets, and our allies in the area. The flurry of movement and scramble alert had the Indian formation excited as the HAL made-stealth fighters and it's accompanying combat drones went up into the air one by one.

"Victor 1-1 to Victor Main, large force scramble exercise in progress. We have four Abhayas and six Sea Ghataks airborne, awaiting further instructions"

"Zulu force, this is Zulu Main. This is not an exercise ladies and gentlemen" Fernandes grabbed the radio and looked at the now emptying deck. He looked at Singh and said, "Get me the joint forces command..."

On the other side the Harun-al Rashid task force also picked up several aerial contacts which were almost 100 km away from them. Keeping in mind the threat from the BrahMos II and III missile, the latter was a hypersonic type, they decided to engage their ECM systems and readied their reverse-engineered Aster and HHQ-14A SAM, the later are the derivative of the Russian S-400, installed during a major upgrade by Pakistan in 2027.

A pair of DRDO Sea Hawk UAV from a secret Naval drone base in Gujarat heads out towards the UCC flotilla and begins a progressive ISR loops over the water at its cruising altitude of 20,000ft. As they passed through the Vishal the drones soon connected their datalink connection into the carrier, which also means that the PPDU/NATO allied fleet in the area (Indonesia, Japan, and USA) could also know the bigger picture. However this particular mission of the drones are distraction of the UCC air assets rather than have them focus on a single formation of ships in conjunction of manned shore based P-8Is and Japanese P-1s that had also been deployed at the same time.

"What the... radar lock.. Break!"

The lead Indian naval Abhayas and accompanying drones lit up their afterburners and pitched up nearing 35,000 ft and climbing in an attempt to throw off the UCC Chukars bearing down on them which also had locked them with their radar. The mutual distance between them was now less than 70 km with the JF-20s coming in at high speed, while the JF-17s were also ready to pounce at the Indians shall circumstances and opportunities allow. "Zulu Main, this is Claw 1-1; we are totally defensive and locked on, permission to engage!"

"You people know what you have to do. Engage!" the controller replied.

"Fox One active" Claw 1-1, LCDR. Mahadaji Bakshi, from the INAS 303 "Black Panthers" called out as he and his wingman lauched two semi-active variant of Astra Mk.3s each. In the process the Indians had crossed the line between the Indian and UCC side of the Arabian Sea. While the leader remained on course, Claw 1-2 pulled up, pointing the large nose to increase advantage on height while locking whatever the enemy in front of him with its Israeli-originated ELTA EL/M-2040 AESA radar. Soon the Chukars RWR lit up indicating that both were locked.

Shortly however the MAW (missile approach warning) of the JF-20s went off, but it's too late as the UCC fighters were within the lethal no escape Zone of the Astra. Furthermore the Indians had used the Astra TWS (Track While Search) capability to not alerting the targeted aircraft's RWR in the initial phase before engaging the terminal Lock-on After Launch mode using the Abhaya's datalink to guide the missiles, well within the lethal kill zone.

Such capability were learned and appreciated by the Indians thanks to their long history of using an earlier missile with the same capability, the Russian R-27.

In return, Sparrow 1-1, the call sign of the lead JF-20, Major Ahmed Sharif, fired their SD-10s after obtained a good quality lock on the Abhayas. Immediately after firing the missiles, both Chukars dispensed chaff as they conducted a very high G turn in opposite directions to put the radar target at the edge of their scopes. However one was close enough to the Indians that one Sea Ghatak was sacrificed in order to stop the missile.

Meanwhile the JF-17s positioned at 9 o'clock relative to the Indian naval fighters dived before launching their SD-10Cs on active off the rails to saturate their defenses. However, the multi-seeker advantage of the Astras, inspired and developed from the R-27 had a nasty surprise for the Caliphate pilots as the chaffs launched were to spoof the semi active Astra S variant while the infrared guided Astra-IR went through and the fragmentation released lodged into one of the JF-20s, directly inside its engine. The pilot, Capt. Sasan Noorani was forced to punch out, while on the Indian side the ELTA EL/M-8225 stealth jamming pod originally developed for Israel's F-35I Adir installed on the Abhayas worked hard to defeat the incoming SD-10s. Thanks to its own higher peak power it able to burn through the active seeker head of the missiles, further helped by the fighter's own AESA radar.

The remaining Ghataks engaged the JF-17 drone escorts, only for the Indians were soon ordered to disengage, but not before splashed one more JF-20 as the sun fully rise by the orbiting Hawkeye in full afterburner, just in time for the UCC Navy's fire control radars started to lock at them. As they retire to the Vishal the Hawkeye gave them overall update.

"Be advised the Indonesians have called that the Majapahit CAP were also engaged with a formation of F-313s escorting P-8s, which had fired on one of their escort vessels. So far their status are good..."

Meanwhile in the UCC side the initial formation were relieved by four more Chukars and unmanned JF-17s which by now had reached their CAP station.

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Admiral Fernandes had ordered the guided missile destroyer INS Uduppi and the guided missile frigate INS Palni, to increase their speed and maneuver straight into the expected enemy destroyer flotilla. A few of the Abhayas were also armed with four Brahmos each, adding the extra firepower. In the meantime a second Hawkeye was launched to relieve the first Hawkeye that had finished its patrol as forward command post, while a nearby Boeing P-8I Poseidon is searching for the UCC flotilla in conjunction of existing carrier assets airborne.