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The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) (Urdu: پاک فضائیہ, Pak Faza'ya) is the Aviation branch of the Pakistan armed forces and is responsible for defending Pakistani air-space from intrusions. It also provides air support for ground troops. The PAF operates between 300 and 350 fighter aircraft. Mission statement The primary mission statement of the PAF was given by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan during his address to the passing out cadets of the PAF Academy Risalpur on 13th April, 1948. His statement has been taken as an article of faith by all coming generations of PAF personnel:" A country without a strong Air Force is at the mercy of any aggressor, Pakistan must build up her Air Force as quickly as possible, it must be an efficient Air Force, second to none." Origin (1947 - 1951) The Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF) was formed in 1947 following the Partition of India. The RPAF began with 2,332 personnel, a fleet of 24 Tempest II fighter-bombers, 16 Hawker Typhoon fighters (also called Tempest I), two H.P.57 Halifax bombers, 2 Auster aircraft, twelve T-6G Harvard trainers and ten Tiger Moth biplanes. It also got eight C-47 Dakota cargo planes which it used to transport supplies to soldiers fighting in the 1947 War in Kashmir against India. It started with 7 operational airbases scattered all over the provinces. The prefix Royal was removed when Pakistan gained the status of Republic on 23 March, 1956. It has since been called Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Operating these inherited aircraft was far from ideal in Pakistan's diverse terrains, deserts and mountains; frequent attrition and injuries did not make the situation any better. However, by 1948 the air force acquired better aircraft such as the Hawker Fury fighter-bomber and the Bristol Freighter. These new aircraft gave a much-needed boost to the morale and combat capability of the Pakistan Air Force; 93 Hawker Fury and roughly 50-70 Bristol Freighter aircraft were inducted into the PAF by 1950. The jet age (1951 - 1961) Although the Pakistan Air Force had little funds to use and markets to choose from, it entered the jet age quite early. Initially it had planned to acquire US-built F-94Cs, F-86s, or F-84s and produce its order in Pakistan. However, lack of funds and strong British pressure persuaded the PAF to acquire the British Supermarine Attacker. The first squadron equipped with these aircraft was the Number-11 "Arrow". The Supermarine Attacker had a rather unsatisfactory service in the Pakistan Air Force with frequent attrition and maintenance problems. In 1957 the Pakistan Air Force received 100 American-built F-86 Sabres under the U.S. aid program. Squadron after squadron in the PAF retired its Hawker Furys and Supermarine Attackers, and replaced them with F-86 jet fighters. In 1957 thirty-six year old Air Marshal Asghar Khan became the Pakistan Air Force's first commander-in-chief; his tenure saw a change of PAF discipline, professionalism and quality which even today leaves its positive mark on the PAF. During his eight-year command the PAF saw modernization and re-equipment programs, as well as stricter and better training. The supersonic era (1961 - 1979) To help deter a possible nuclear attack on Pakistan, the American government provided 12 F-104 Starfighters to the Pakistan Air Force, making the PAF the first Asian air force to operate supersonic fighters. Operated by Number 9 "Griffin" squadron, the F-104 served the PAF extremely well in the 1965 war but had become outclassed in the 1971 war with India when up to 8 Starfighters were lost * while accounting for 2 kills *. These were retired in 1972 partly due to a U.S embargo and lack of spare parts. After the 1965 war with India, the Pakistan Air Force could not procure new combat aircraft from the United States to replace its older F-86; originally the PAF was going to acquire more F-104s and new F-5 "Tiger" aircraft. However a U.S imposed arms embargo forced the PAF to seek French and Chinese alternatives. In 1967 twenty-four state-of-the-art Dassault Mirage III fighter aircraft were introduced, a French supersonic fighter with more advanced technology than the Starfighter. In the 1971 war, the PAF's Mirages shot down 2, 3, or 4 Indian Air Force aircraft, mainly bomber aircraft * * * and took part in crucial ground attack missions without any losses. Throughout the 1970s the PAF operated a fleet of 96 Mirage III and Mirage-V aircraft; even today, Mirages form the mainstay of the Pakistan Air Force's high-altitude interceptor/air-superiority and surface-strike forces. As part of the post-1965 replacement and expansion program the PAF bought 90 ex-Luftwaffe, Canadian-built F-86 Mk.6 aircraft to replace lost Sabres and expand the fleet. In addition to the Sabres, 60 Chinese F-6s were acquired, the Chinese-produced version of the MiG-19. The F-6s proved their worth during the 1971 war, shooting down newer and more advanced enemy like the MiG-21s. In the late 1960s and 1970s the Pakistan Air Force attempted to acquire a "core" fighter aircraft meant to entirely replace Korean-War era F-86 and F-6 (Chinese MiG-19) aircraft; although deals were close to being signed, they usually failed due to Pakistani politics. In 1970 the PAF was in the final stages of negotiations for Saab Draken and Saab Viggen aircraft, as well as a production line for the latter in Pakistan. However due to Sweden's concerns over the East Pakistan issue the deal failed to finalize. In the mid-1970s, attempts were once again made to acquire F-5 "Tiger" and even A-4 attack aircraft; however U.S concerns over Pakistan's nuclear weapons program did not let a deal finalize. In the late 1970s the Pakistan Air Force attempted to acquire a large number of new Mirage F-1 fighter jets from France; a production line for Mirage F-1s was to have been built in the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra. However the Zia-ul-Haq administration did not approve of the purchase - and the PAF was eventually pushed to acquire more Mirage Vs. Up to 180 F-6s and 96 Mirage III/Vs were bought to replace the F-86 and F-104 during the 1970s. The new generation (1983 - 1989) In 1979 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to crush opposition and rebellion in its allied neighbour. The violent Soviet invasion brought hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees to Pakistan. With the war being critical to Pakistan's national sovereignty and integrity, the PAF once again sought out modernization, including the procurement of new generation fighter aircraft. France offered its new Mirage 2000, while the PAF's senior officers were interested in procuring American F-16 or F-18L fighters. Initially the Americans refused to sell the F-16 or F-18L and instead offered F-20, F-5E/F or A-10 aircraft. Eventually the new Republican administration of Ronald Reagan approved the sale of F-16s to Pakistan, and in 1981 an agreement was made to supply 28 General Dynamics F-16A and 12 F-16B "Fighting Falcon" aircraft to the Pakistan Air Force. The F-16s would be supplied under the "Peace Gate" Foreign Military Sales Program; the first six were delivered in 1983 under "Peace Gate-I" while the remaining 34 arrived by 1986, under the "Peace Gate-II" program. Between 1986 and 1988 Pakistani F-16s took part in frequent skirmishes with Soviet and Afghan aircraft. Pakistani F-16s typically carry two all-aspect AIM-9Ls on the wingtip rails, along with a pair of AIM-9Ps on the outermost underwing racks. The F-16s also have an important strike role for which they are fitted with the French-built Thomson-CSF ATLIS laser designation pod and have the capability to deliver Paveway laser-guided bombs. The ATLIS was first fitted to Pakistani F-16s in January 1986, which became the first non-European aircraft to be qualified for the ATLIS pod. During the late 1980s, the Pakistan Air Force's Air Defence system also underwent modernization, including the induction and integration of new land-based AN/TPS-47 radars and new Crotale Surface-to-air missiles. Attempts to acquire a new AWACS aircraft were also made - with the E-3 Sentry being desired, but the U.S would not sell it and instead offered the E-2 Hawkeye. In 1988 the Pakistan Air Force sought to replace its F-6s and Mirages by 1997 with the procurement of new aircraft; initially a mix of Mirage 2000 and F-16A/B Block-15OCU were to be acquired alongside 90 or so F-7 (Chinese MiG-21). However in 1988 the death of Zia-ul-Haq and the new government's desire to reduce spending on defence resulted in 71 F-16A/B Block-15OCUs instead. These aircraft were to be delivered by 1997 and a follow-on order of F-16C/D Block-30s was thought likely. The "lost" decade (1991 - 2001) From 1990 Pakistan was hit by American military embargoes in response to Pakistan's nuclear weapons development; these embargoes prevented the Pakistan Air Force from acquiring the 71 new-built F-16s from the U.S. After the 1998 nuclear tests and 1999 military coup, Pakistan was hit by further sanctions not only from the U.S but other Western nations as well; it would not be until 2002 when the U.S finally lifted most of the embargoes. During the 1990s the Pakistan Air Force strived for alternative sources for its new generation fighter requirement; the French Dassault Mirage 2000-5 was chosen but was too expensive to obtain. This forced Pakistan to rely heavily on China for military aircraft. Pakistan and China worked together to develop the K-8 trainer, and continue to cooperate on the JF-17 project which aims to provide both nations with a new-generation fighter. This project is a major joint venture between Pakistan Air Force and China Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation along with Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC). The research and development cost of this project is between 450 to 500 million US dollars. It is financed up to 50%-59% by the government of Pakistan. Estimated cost per aircraft will be around 20 million US dollars. As of 2005, Pakistan had started manufacturing JF-17s in Kamra and the first delivery of planes is expected to take place in 2007. Present
Pakistan Air Force Day Pakistan Air Force Day is celebrated every year on 6th of September, the day that marks the official beginning of the Indo-Pak war of 1965; Although September 7 is the National Air-Force day of Pakistan also known as the Defence Day.. Air shows and other programs are arranged by the Pakistan Air Force on this day to mark the success of PAF in defending the nation. Pakistan Air Force plays a role in the psyche of its nation unmatched by any other airforce in the world; it calls itself "The Pride of the Nation" Major conflicts The PAF recorded its first kill on 10 April 1959 when an Indian Air Force English Electric Canberra plane allegedly on photo reconnaissance mission over Rawalpindi was shot down. Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 See the main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. On 6 September 1965 war broke out between India and Pakistan. The first PAF F-104 kill of an Indian Air Force Mystère IV with one of its Sidewinders came on the afternoon of September 7, making it the first combat kill with a Mach 2-capable aircraft. Pakistan attacked India using F-104, F-86, B-57 and RT-33A. The war lasted for 23 days and although it ended indecisively, both in India and Pakistan it is considered a victory. On September 7, 1965 the PAF claimed a heavy toll on the IAF with Sqn Ldr Muhammad Mahmood Alam in his F-86 Sabre claiming as many as six IAF hunters. *. The PAF had claimed 104 aircraft destroyed for a loss of 19 aircraft, while India stated a loss of 35 aircraft compared to 76 PAF aircraft destroyed. Independent observers too, do not agree on the actual number of aircraft shot down, with figures ranging from as high as 3:1 in Pakistan's favor to 2:1 in India's favor. Since India had the larger air force by far, while Pakistan had better planes at the time, it is possible that the actual ratio of air-kills was equalized at 1:1. "By all accounts the courage displayed by the Pakistan Air Force pilots is reminiscent of the bravery of the few young and dedicated pilots who saved this country from Nazi invaders in the critical Battle of Britain during the last war." Patrick Seale, The Observer, London, September 12, 1965. The PAF parachuted SSG (Special Services Group) commandos into Indian territory and, according to the then Chief of Army Staff General Musa Khan, more than 180 commandos penetrated enemy territory for these operations. Indian sources claim as many as 800-900 commandos were airdropped, though the figure is probably for the whole war. Given that most of the Indian targets (Halwara, Pathankot and Adampur) were deep into Indian territory only 11-15 commandos made it back alive and the stealth operation proved ineffective. Of those remaining, 136 were taken prisoners of war, and 22 were killed in encounters with the army, police or the civilians. The stealth operations failed to achieve their targets. The Six-Day War See the main article: Six-Day War. In between the war of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, PAF sent its pilots to many Arab nations during the Six-Day War. Pakistani pilots flew in the Air Forces of Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, recording 3 confirmed kills against the Israeli Air Force (including Mirages, Mystères and Vautours) without losing any of their own planes.* Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 See the main article: Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 saw Pakistan defeated in the east and the subsequent formation of Bangladesh. PAF commenced the official start of hostilities by raiding Indian airbases in the western region, codenamed Operation Chengiz Khan, but the preemptive strike was a total failure. Within 24 hours, Indian Air Force retaliated and had seized air superiority, especially in the eastern sector of the subcontinent. The PAF was outnumbered in East Pakistan and the entire eastern wing including the main air base in Dhaka was destroyed. In West Pakistan, there were additional losses and the PAF lost a quarter of its air force in the war - including some fratricides. Despite some aerial victories, it had failed to provide reconnaissance or cover for its ground troops. In fact the PAF had fewer and fewer sorties as the war was reaching the final stages fearing further aircraft losses, for which the PAF was later castigated by Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.* There were also demands for an inquiry as to why PAF strength was persistently withheld from the conflict But it fared slightly better in light of the poor performance by the other military wings, the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. Yom Kippur War See the main article: Yom Kippur War. During this war the PAF sent 16 pilots to the Middle East in order to support Egypt and Syria but by the time they arrived, Egypt had already been pushed into a ceasefire. Syria remained in a state of war against Israel. Eight (8) PAF pilots started flying out of Syrian Airbases; they formed the A-flight of 67 Squadron at Dumayr Airbase. The Pakistani pilots flew Syrian Mig-21 aircraft conducting CAP missions for the Syrians. Flt/Lt. A. Sattar Alvi became the first Pakistani pilot, during the Yom Kippur War, to shoot down an Israeli Mirage in air combat. He was honored by the Syrian government. Other aerial encounters involved Israeli F4 Phantoms; Pakistan Air Force did not lose a single pilot or aircraft during this war. The Pakistani pilots stayed on in Syria until 1976, training Syrian pilots in the art of air warfare. Soviet-Afghan War See the main article: Soviet-Afghan War. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 in support of the pro-Soviet government in Kabul, which was being hard-pressed by Mujahadeen rebel forces, marked the start of a decade-long occupation. Mujahadeen rebels continued to harass the occupying Soviet military force as well as the forces of the Afghan regime that it was supporting. The war soon spilled over into neighboring Pakistan, with a horde of refugees fleeing to camps across the border in an attempt to escape the conflict. In addition, many of the rebels used Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to carry out forays into Afghanistan, and a steady flow of US-supplied arms was carried into Afghanistan from staging areas in Pakistan near the border. This inevitably resulted in border violations by Soviet and Afghan aircraft attempting to interdict these operations. Between May 1986 and November 1988, PAF F-16s have shot down at least eight intruders from Afghanistan. Four of the kills were Afghan Su-22s bombers, three were Afghan transports (two An-26s and one An-24), and one was a Soviet Su-25 bomber. Most of these kills were achieved using the AIM-9 Sidewinder, but a Su-22 was destroyed by cannon fire and the one An-24 crash landed after being forced to land upon interception. At least one F-16 was lost in these battles, in the encounter between F-16s and Soviet MiG-23s on 29 April 1987. PAF claims that it was shot down by friendly fire. Other sources suggest that it might have been hit by a bomb dropped by a MiG or that one of the MiG pilots downed it by cannon fire (the MiGs were not armed with missiles) but did not claim it since there was no permission given to fire (Soviets aircraft were not allowed to fire on Pakistani interceptors without orders from ground control). *, * War on Terrorism Numerous raids were carried out by the PAF during the Waziristan conflict. In 2006, PAF helicopter gunships targeted a madrassa in the Bajaur area, killing 80 suspected militants. Current fleet PAF currently operates an estimated 530 fighter aircraft. Some 70 of the Mirages have been given ROSE upgrades - allowing them to either perform high-altitude air-superiority missions or specialized surface strike missions. The F-7PGs and F-16s are the PAF's main multirole fighter aircraft - while the F-7P is a limited interceptor/ground-strike aircraft. It is likely however that the PAF will procure another 26 F-16A/Bs to start retiring its F-7Ps. Sources Ground SAM vehicles Personnel and command The Air Force has about 65,000 active personnel with about 10,000 reserves. The Chief of the Air Staff holds the operational and administrative powers. He is assisted by a Vice Chief of Air Staff and six Deputy Chiefs of the Air Staff who control and administer the Administration, Operations, Engineering, Supply (logistics), Personnel, and Training divisions of the PAF respectively. In addition, there are three non-operational directorates for PR, Air Intelligence and Recruitment. Recently, the Air Headquarters (AHQ) has been moved from Chaklala to Islamabad. Major Air force bases are at Shorkot, Karachi, Quetta, Kamra, Peshawar, Mianwali, Sargodha and Risalpur. There are many war-time operational forward bases, civilian airstrips and runways as well as emergency motorways. Ranks The current officer rank structure follows Royal Air Force designations: Air Force / Army / Navy List of PAF Chiefs Air Force General Staff Bases These are the bases from which the PAF planes operate during peace time. They have complete infrastructure of hardened shelters, control towers, workshops, ordnance depots etc. These are ten in number and are Markings
Nishan-e-Haider The Nishan-e-Haider (Urdu: نشان حیدر) (Sign of the Lion), is the highest military award given by Pakistan. Rashid Minhas is the only officer of the PAF to be awarded the Nishan-e-Haider. Other hearos of PAF Engineering & maintenance capability Since independence the PAF has developed and nurtured an extensive in house engineering, maintenance and repair capability. Indigenization of in house maintenance has enabled it to maintain force levels and high serviceability / reliability rates. The premier maintenance organizations supporting the mission of the Pakistan Air Force include F6 Rebuild Factory, Mirage Rebuild Factory, Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, Kamra Avionics Rebuild Factory, No 102 Air Engineering Depot (Aero-Engines Overhaul), No 107 Air Engineering Depot (Avionics), No 108 Air Engineering Depot (Ground Radars), No 109 Air Engineering Depot (Missiles), No 130 Air Engineering Depot (Transport Aircraft Overhaul). R&D work is done at Central Technical Development Unit, Special Task Group & No 118 Software Engineering Depot. The PAF managed / supported Air Weapon Complex (AWC) produces a number of high technology armament and munitions for the air force. The College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE) situated at PAF Academy Risalpur graduates engineers in aerospace and avionics specialty and is a world class institute with a high reputation for the quality of its graduates and fulfills requirements for both army & navy as well as a number of foreign countries. Apart from this Pre Trade Training School, School Of Aeronautics, School Of Electronics, Administrative Trades Training School and School Of Logistics fulfills different manpower requirements of Pakistan Air Force. Introduction In light of Pakistan's significant contribution to the War on Terror, the United States and Western European countries, namely Germany and France lifted their defense related sanctions on Pakistan; enabling the country to once again seek advanced Western military hardware. Since the lift of sanctions, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) became heavily active in evaluating potential military hardware; such as new fighter planes, radars, land based air-defense systems, etc. The key factor had been the lifting of American sanctions on Pakistan; including restrictions on military combat aircraft - namely the Lockheed Martin F-16. However the urgent relief needed in Kashmir after the October-8th Earthquake forced the Pakistan Military to stall its modernization programme; so it could divert its resources for fuel and operations during the rescue effort. The modernization stall would end in April 2006 when the Pakistani cabinet approved the Pakistan Air Force's proposal to procure 132 new fighters from the U.S and China. The Pakistan Government has launched the Armed Forces Development Programme - 2019 (AFFDP-2019); this programme will oversee the modernization of the Pakistan Air Force from now to 2019. Fighter fleet The Pakistan Air Force currently operates between 300 to 350 active combat aircraft; its fleet is mostly comprised of F-7P and Mirage III/V aircraft. Although 70 to 90 of the Mirages were given the ROSE-I and ROSE-II/III upgrades - the airframe life of these aircraft is declining; and like the F-7P, will require replacement by 2014. The main workhorse of the Pakistan Air Force from 2014 will be the JF-17 Thunder medium-tech, multi-role fighter aircraft; developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) in China and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Pakistan. At least 150 JF-17s are expected to be procured by the Pakistan Air Force by the end of 2015. The JF-17 Thunder is a 4th generation, medium-weight multi-role fighter aircraft capable of using various types of Beyond-Visual-Range (BVRAAM) Air-to-Air Missiles, Within-Visual-Range (WVRAAM) Air-to-Air Missiles and Air-to-Surface Precision-Guided Munitions (PGM). The aircraft will be capable of multi-weather as well as day and night operations; upgrades will be conducted on the JF-17 and will incorporate Infrared Search and Tracking (IRST) and Air-to-Air Refueling. Its avionics consist of a Pulse-Doppler radar with a track-and-search range of at least 100km and targeting range of at least 70km; the aircraft can engage multiple air or ground targets - as well as utilize Helmet-Mounted-Sight (HMS) and Electronic Counter Measure/Electronic Warfare (ECM/EW) systems. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Galileo Avionica/Selex "Vixen 500E" AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar is being sought by PAF for use on its JF-17. The JF-17 will replace the PAF's F-7P/FT-7P, Mirage-III/V, and Q-5 aircraft by 2013 - and be fully operational in large numbers by 2015. In addition to JF-17s the Pakistan Air Force is aggressively pushing for the acquisition of another two advanced fighter aircraft - which boast more range and payload, as well as considerably more advanced avionics and ECM/EW systems than the JF-17. Originally up to 75 F-16C/D Block-52 were supposed to be procured; however the tragic and catastrophic earthquake in Azad Kashmir forced the Pakistan Government to delay acquisition of F-16s. With the Kashmir relief operations draining the government's funds - the Defense Ministry was considering a considerably down-scaled F-16 order. On April 12 2006 the Government of Pakistan approved the purchase of F-16C/D Block 52+ and F-16A/B Block 15 Lockheed Martin F-16s as well as CAC J-10s under the designation of F-10. The revised F-16 purchase includes the acquisition of 26 ex-Peace Gate-III and IV F-16A/B Block-15OCUs and 18 F-16C/D Block-52s with an option for 18 more; the purchase was finalized between the PAF and Lockheed Martin in October 2006. The total value of the F-16 package is 5.101bn U.S Dollars - if all options are excersized; the deal includes 500 AIM-120C5 BVRAAMs, 200 AIM-9M-8/9 WVRAAMs, 500 JDAM PGMs, and thousands of other air-to-surface bombs. In addition to the 36 new built F-16C/D Block-52+ aircraft, the 60 F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft will go through the Mid-Life-Update - III upgrade (MLU-3); this would make the F-16A/Bs avionically on par with the Block 52+. The F-16s and JF-17s will be reinforced with 36 Chinese CAC J-10A aircraft - the PAF designiation is F-10A. According to the current Pakistan Air Force Chief - Air Chief Marshall Tanvir Mahmood Ahmad - more J-10As will eventually be inducted. During the interview, he also mentioned the acquisition of the "FC-20"; however details are unknown about this fighter. AEW&C/AWACS capability The Pakistan Air Force had sought an Airbrone Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system since the mid-1980s; although it had failed to acquire what it wanted (the E-3 Sentry) - it eventually did procure a system. On May 25 2006 the Government of Pakistan approved the acquisition of up to 6-7 Saab-2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft; the value of the deal is about 1bn U.S Dollars. This acquisition was in response to a long standing AEW&C requirement as well as the Indian Air Force's procurement of three Phalcon AWACS mounted on Russian IL-76 aircraft. AEW&C capability provides the user with an airborne long-range radar which allows the user to, detect incoming enemy formations deep within enemy territory; as well as coordinate large-scale missions involving multiple forces (Army, Air Force, Navy) - and in peace time, coordinate search and rescue operations. According to the Air Chief of the Pakistan Air Force - Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed - all of the PAF's fighter aircraft will be datalinked with the Erieye system. Currently the F-16C/D Block 52+ and F-16A/B Block 15MLU-3 will utilize the American Link-16 datalink system with the Erieye; datalink would allow the F-16s to use the Erieye's radar without having to use their own (and exposing their radar signitures to the enemy). This would give the F-16's greater radar range as well as the ability to adapt to mission requirements or ECM/EW events without the use of a Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM). Currently it is unclear what datalink system the JF-17s and J-10s will use; however if the PAF's JF-17s are eventually equipped with Western radars, avionics, etc - they will likely use a Western datalink system with the Erieye. However the J-10 may not be able to datalink with the Erieye (at least not without heavy modification and integration on part of PAF); this is mainly due to China and Swedens' reluctance to allow their respective systems to be exposed to each other's engineers and scientists. Because of this - the PAF may have to procure a Chinese AEW&C system; recently, Chinese firms have demonstrated their Y-8 based rotodome AEW&C in Pakistan. It is possible that the PAF will procure a few Y-8 AEW&C systems in the near future. Air Defence The Pakistan Air Force begun its Air Defence modernization quite early with the procurement of six AN/TPS-77 land based three-dimensional tactical mobile radar systems from the U.S. This was reinforced with another six new long-range mobile radar systems from China; the PAF is in the process of inducting both the American and Chinese systems. Air Weapons Complex is on the forefront of the Pakistan Military's C4I/IT network integration programme; the PAF has recently evaluated the Czech Vera passive-radar system, and is yet to make a decision on whether to buy it or not. The PAF's air defence system will join the Pakistan Military's joint Hi-Medium Air Defence (HiMAD) and Low-Medium Air Defence (LoMAD) Systems. Modernization of the Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) fleet is part of the AFFDP-2019 programme; the PAF is planning to phase out replace its old Crotale medium-range SAM systems. According to a Janes Defence Weekly interview with the Pakistan Air Force's Air Chief; the Italian Spada-2000 medium-range SAM system is on the forefront of the PAF's requirement to replace its Crotales. The PAF also awarded Saab to revive its 900+ RBS-70 short-range SAM systems; and is planning to reinforce them with Anza II and Anza III short-range SAM systems. Since 2001, the Pakistan Air Force has desired a long-range SAM system; initially it was interested in the Chinese FT-2000, but no deal has been made. The PAF was also offered the Patriot II system by the U.S - but rejected it on unknown basis (likely cost); it reportedly negotiated with Russia for the S-300, but to no fruit as of yet. In the end, it could be expected that the Chinese will offer their more advanced HQ-9A long-range SAM system to the PAF; or the PAF may negotiate with France for the Aster-30. In the end cost, political athmosphere and integration difficulty will decide which system the PAF will invest in; this system would not only act as a long-range SAM, but perhaps become the basis of Pakistan's anti-ballistic missile programme. Logistics The Air Force's logistical fleet is currently in the process of inducting six C-130E aircraft; after the induction of these aircraft the PAF's C-130 Medium-Lift Aircraft fleet will consist of roughly 12-16 aircraft. Four Indonesian CN-235s have been bought and inducted with another four or so likely to be ordered soon. It is unclear whether the PAF is pursuing a medium-lift transport aircraft to replace it's ageing C-130s; the C-130J was supposedly evaluated, but deemed too sophisticated and expensive for a prop-transport. The PAF may acquire the Chinese Y-9 or European A400 when the need to replace C-130s arises; but will likely not happen before 2012. Training "As an air defense analyst, I am fully aware that the Pakistan Air Force ranks today as one of the best air forces in the world and that the PAF Combat Commanders' School (CCS) in Sargodha has been ranked as the best GCI/pilot and fighter tactics and weapons school in the world". As one senior US defense analyst commented to me in 1991, "it leaves Topgun (the US Naval Air Station in Miramar, California) far behind". -Sergey Vekhov May 1993 issue (pages 46-47) of Airforces Monthly, reputable UK-based airs defense magazine. The aircraft and technology which will be inducted into the PAF will be drastically different and more advanced than what the PAF's trainer force currently operates. The fleet's current 1950-era T-37 and FT-5/6 aircraft cannot sufficiently train future JF-17, F-16 and F-10 pilots. With the massive induction of fly-by-wire aircraft, BVRAAMs, WVRAAMs,PGBs as well as HMS/HMD and datalink supported warfare, the PAF requires new trainer aircraft. Currently the PAF has 12 new generation K-8 intermediate jet trainer aircraft, with another 27 or so on order. The K-8 will replace the PAF's aging Lockheed T-37 aircraft in the intermediate jet trainer role; another order of at least 11 K-8s may be placed in the near future. For the lead-in advanced fighter conversion role - the PAF will replace its FT-5s with a new aircraft; it is unclear what that aircraft will be. According to the former Air Chief - Air Chief Marshal (Retired) Kaleem Sadaat, a twin-seat JF-17 will be used for conversion. However Hondgu - the manufacturers of K-8 - recently flew their L-15 advanced jet trainer; which was reportedly offered to the PAF during its development. Currently there is a requirement for at least 20-25+ advanced lead-in jet trainer aircraft; options include the twin-seat JF-17, Hondgu L-15 and perhaps even the KAI/Lockheed Martin T-50. Auxiliary The Pakistan Air Force reportedly ordered 4 IL-78 Midas air-to-air refueling aircraft from Ukraine; these will apparently be used to support the PAF's JF-17 fleet. It is known when the deal was finalized - as this was confirmed by the PAF Air Chief - ACM Tanvir Mahmood Ahmad. Ammunition The Pakistan Air Force will cosist of a variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions; Known systems include; Weapons thought to be used or may eventually be inducted by PAF; Confirmed Future PAF Fleet Notes | |||||||||||
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