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Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Air Force Ensign
Pakistan Air Force Ensign
Founded14 August 1947
CountryPakistan
Size65,000 full-time personnel
(including 3,000 pilots)
10,000 reservists
Part ofPakistani Armed Forces
Air HeadquartersIslamabad
Total aircraft600 Aircraft
(including 500 combat aircraft)
Engagements1947 India-Pakistan War
1965 India-Pakistan Rann of Kutch Border Skirmish
1965 India-Pakistan War
1967 Arab-Israeli ‘Six Day’ War
1971 India-Pakistan War
1973 Arab-Israeli ‘Ramadhan/Yom Kippur’ War
1979–1988 Soviet-Afghan War
1999 India-Pakistan Kargil Conflict
2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff
2007-present COIN Operations in Northwest Pakistan (War on Terror)
Commanders
Chief of Air StaffAir Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman
Insignia
PAF LogoFile:Pafbadge.png
PAF Roundel
PAF Fin flash
Aircraft flown
AttackMirage 5, A-5C
Electronic
warfare		Falcon DA-20, Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C, Shaanxi ZDK-03 AEW&C
FighterF-16C/D, F-16A/B, JF-17, Mirage III, F-7P/PG
HelicopterAlouette III, Mi-171
ReconnaissanceMirage IIIRP, Falco UAV, Jasoos II Bravo+
TrainerFT-5, K-8P, MFI-17, MFI-395, C-12, T-37
TransportAn-26, Boeing 707, C-130, CN-235, Il-78MK, Phenom 100, Saab 2000

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) (Urdu: پاک فضائیہ, Pak Fiza'ya) is the air arm of the Pakistani Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role to provide air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role to provide strategic air transport and logistics capability to Pakistan. The PAF employs approximately 65,000 full-time personnel (including approximately 3,000 pilots) and, currently, operates approximately 500 combat aircraft as well as various transport and training aircraft.[1]. With aproximately strength of 65,000 personell,including 3000 pilots, 500 combat aircraf and 600 aircraft, the Pakistan Air Force is the seventh largest air force in the world.

History

British Era

In 1933, British colonial government of India established the subcontinent’s first Air Force station near Drigh Road, now called PAF Base Faisal. In 1934, this element of the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) was extended to the north for operations in NWFP. The RIAF had also contributed to the defeat of Japanese invasion during World War II.

1947–1951: The Formative Years

PAF Hawker Sea Fury two-seat trainer

The Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF) was established on 14 August 1947 with the independence of Pakistan from British India. The RPAF began with 2,332 personnel, a fleet of 24 Tempest II fighter-bombers, 16 Hawker Typhoon fighters, two H.P.57 Halifax bombers, 2 Auster aircraft, twelve North American Harvard trainers and ten de Havilland 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. However, it never received all the planes it was allotted at the time of independence of South Asia.[2] It started with 7 operational airbases scattered all over the provinces. The prefix Royal was removed when Pakistan became a republic on 23 March 1956. It has since been called the 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 Sea 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.

1951–1961: PAF enters the Jet Age

File:PAFF-86s.jpg
The F-86 Sabre was in PAF service from 1955 to 1980.
Flying Officer Waleed Ehsanul Karim poses in front of his F-86.

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.

1959: PAF Draws 'First Blood'

On 10 April 1959, on the occasion of the Islamic Eid ul-Fitr festival holiday in Pakistan, an Indian Air Force (IAF) English Electric Canberra B(I)58 intruded into Pakistani airspace on a photo reconnaissance mission. Two PAF F-86F Sabres from No. 15 Squadron on Air Defence Alert (ADA) were scrambled from Peshawar Air Base to intercept the IAF intruder. The Sabre pilots were Flt. Lt. M. N. Butt (leader) and Flt. Lt. M. Yunus (wingman) whereas Pilot Officer Rab Nawaz was the on-duty Air Defence Controller for this mission. Nawaz successfully vectored both Sabres to the location of the high-flying Canberra. Butt attempted to bring down the Canberra by firing his Sabre's machine guns but the Canberra was flying at an altitude of more than 50,000 feet - beyond the operational ceiling of the F-86F. When Yunus took over from his leader, the Canberra suddenly lost height while executing a turn over Rawalpindi. Yunus grabbed this opportunity and fired a burst from his 12.7 mm guns that struck the Canberra at an altitude of 47,500 feet and brought it down over Rawat, near Rawalpindi. Thus, PAF drew 'first blood' against the IAF. '55-5005' was the serial number of the F-86F Sabre that was flown by Flt. Lt. Yunus that day. Both the occupants of the IAF Canberra, namely Sqn. Ldr. J.C. Sen Gupta (pilot) and Flt. Lt. S.N. Rampal (navigator) from the IAF's No. 106 Sqn., ejected and were taken prisoner by Pakistani authorities and were subsequently released after remaining in detention for some time.[3]

1965 India-Pakistan Rann of Kutch Border Skirmish

In June 1965, prior to the outbreak of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, India and Pakistan had a border skirmish in the Rann of Kutch region near the south-eastern coastline of Pakistan. The PAF was tasked with providing point-defence to the Rann of Kutch region to prevent the Indian Air Force (IAF) from intruding into Pakistani airspace and attacking Pakistan Army positions. On 24 June 1965, an IAF Ouragan fighter (Serial No. IC 698), flown by Flt. Lt. Rana Lal Chand Sikka of No. 51 Auxiliary Squadron from the IAF's Jamnagar Air Station intruded into Pakistani airspace. A PAF F-104A Starfighter from No. 9 Squadron intercepted the IAF fighter near Badin in Sindh, Pakistan. Just as the PAF pilot locked on to the Indian fighter and was about to release his AIM-9B Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missile (AAM), the Indian pilot lowered his aircraft's landing gear (an internationally-recognized sign of aerial surrender). The IAF pilot landed at an open field near Jangshahi village near Badin. The IAF pilot was taken prisoner and released on 14 August 1965 - as a goodwill gesture on the 18th Anniversary of Pakistan's Independence Day - minus the IAF Ouragan fighter, which was retained by the PAF as a trophy and flown by a PAF pilot to an airbase in Karachi. (NOTE: This event is not to be confused with the surrender of an IAF Gnat on 4 September 1965 during the 1965 India-Pakistan War, which is on display at the PAF Museum Karachi)[4][5]

1965 India-Pakistan War

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
PAF B-57 Canberra bombers lined up at an airbase.

The PAF fleet at the time consisted of 12 F-104 Starfighters, some 120 F-86 Sabres and around 20 B-57 Canberra bombers.[6] The PAF claims to have had complete air superiority over the battle area from the second day of operations.[7] It is believed that the Indian Army would agree.[8] Close air support to the Pakistan Army was unexpectedly effective and the PAF is widely considered to have single-handedly neutralised the large difference in military strength of India and Pakistan.[7]

Many publications have credited the PAF's successes to U.S. equipment, claiming it to be superior to the aircraft operated by the IAF and giving the PAF a "qualitative advantage". However some people refute this argument. As per them ,the IAF's MiG-21, Hawker Hunter and Folland Gnat aircraft had better performance than the PAF's F-86 fighters.[9] According to Air Cdre (retired) Sajad Haider, the F-86 Sabre was inferior in both power and speed to the IAF's Hawker Hunter.[10] [9]

According to Air Commodore (retired) Sajjad Haider who flew with No. 19 squadron, the F-104 Starfighter did not deserve its reputation as "the pride of the PAF" because it "was unsuited to the tactical environment of the region. It was a high-level interceptor designed to neutralise Soviet strategic bombers in altitudes above 40,000 feet." Nevertheless the IAF is believed to have feared the Starfighter [11] although, according to some, it was not as effective as the IAF's Folland Gnat.[12] The F-86F performed reasonably well over IAF's Hawker Hunters but had trouble in dealing with the Gnats, which earned the nickname Sabre Slayers.[13][14]

1967 Arab-Israeli 'Six-Day' War

Main article: Six-Day War

RJAF and PAF were flying under a joint command. Flt. Lt. Saiful Azam became the only pilot from the Arab side to have shot down 3 IDF/AF aircraft within 72 hours and also the only pilot to have shot down 3 different aircraft types of the IDF/AF. He was, subsequently, decorated by Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan. According to the Pakistani military, PAF pilots performed excellently and downed about 10 Israeli planes including Mirages, Mysteres, Vautours without losing a single pilot or single aircraft of their own.[15]

1971 India-Pakistan War

Main articles: Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
File:PAF Strike force in 1971.jpg
A PAF Shenyang F-6, F-104 Starfighter and Dassault Mirage III flying in formation. The Mirage is being flown by (retired) Air Cdre Murad Khan.
A model of a PAF Shenyang F-6.

In December 1971, India and Pakistan went to war over erstwhile East Pakistan. At the start of the war the PAF was outnumbered 4:1 in West Pakistan and 10:1 in East Pakistan, the PAF inventory contained around 270 combat aircraft [16] while the IAF had over 1,200. The PAF also faced modern air defence systems, such as the S-75 (SA-2 Guideline) surface-to-air missile, defending Indian bases. Serviceability of the PAF's American fighters and bombers, the F-86, F-104 and B-57, was severely affected by a U.S. arms embargo imposed after the 1965 Indo-Pak War. This meant that the PAF was forced to rely on five squadrons of Shenyang F-6 [16] (around 80 aircraft) for air defence and 24 Dassault Mirage III [16] for offensive strikes.[17]

On November 22, 10 days before the start of a full-scale hostilities, four PAF F-86 Sabres attacked Indian and Mukti Bahini positions near the Indian-Bangladeshi border in the Battle of Garibpur, and hostilities commenced. In what became the first ever dogfight over Bangladeshi skies, three of the 4 PAF Sabres were shot down by IAF Gnats.[citation needed]

December 3 saw the formal declaration of war following preemptive strikes by the Pakistan Air Force against Indian Air Force installations in the west. The PAF targets were Indian bases in Srinagar, Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur on the lines of Israeli Operation Focus. At the time it was reported that the IAF had anticipated the attack and it failed as no major losses were suffered.[18]

ACM Lal writes that two major craters on the runway at IAF base Halwara were made by 3 of 8 bombs dropped by PAF B-57 Canberra bombers. At the IAF base Amritsar, an attack by four Mirage III fighters, which caused little damage, was followed up by several attacks which made 4 to 5 craters in the runway. Although the runway was repaired within an hour, the commander of the IAF's Western Air Command decided that a retaliatory attack against Pakistani bases would not be launched from Amritsar as originally planned. Some hours after the attack by the PAF's Mirage III fighters, only one lane of the runway was able to launch fighters. B-57 bombers then made another attack on the base. The IAF's Pathankot base required repairs after being bombed by PAF Mirage III fighters, IAF fighter patrols had to be launched from another base while repairs were under way. Attacks on IAF base Sirsa by PAF B-57 bombers disabled the runway for the rest of that night. At IAF base Jaisalmer, an underground power line was damaged resulting in loss of telephone communications. The runway at IAF base Uttarlai was bombed three times, which forced IAF pilots to use taxiways for taking off and landing for 6 days. The IAF's Bhuj airbase was bombed "fairly accurately" according to ACM Lal and there were difficulties in gathering enough manpower to repair it.[19]

After the IAF retaliated, the PAF carried out more defensive sorties.[20] As the war progressed, the Indian Air Force continued to battle the PAF over conflict zones,[21] but the number of sorties flown by the PAF gradually decreased day-by-day.[22] The lack of coordination between Pakistan's air force and army[23] was evident during the Battle of Longewala when the PAF was unable to come to aid the ground forces despite repeated requests by the Pakistan Army.[24] The PAF did not intervene during the Indian Navy's raid on Karachi, a Pakistani naval port city. Some sources state that a commander decided it was the task of the Pakistan Navy alone to defend Karachi.[25]

At the end of the war, the Indian Air Force claimed it had shot down 94 PAF aircraft, including 54 F-86 Sabres.[26] According to some sources, the overall attrition rate (losses per 100 sorties) was 0.48 for the IAF and 1.42 for the PAF,[27] the PAF flying 2914 combat sorties while the IAF flew 7,346 combat sorties[28][29] during the conflict.[30]

1973 Arab-Israeli 'Yom Kippur' War

Main article: Yom Kippur War

During the war 16 PAF pilots volunteered to go 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.

On 23 October 1973, PAF pilot Flt. Lt. M. Hatif on deputation to Egyptian Air Force (EAF) was flying a EAF MiG-21 in a defensive combat air patrol (CAP) over Egypt when he was vectored towards an intruding Israeli Air Force (IDF/AF) F-4 Phantom. In the ensuing dogfight, Flt. Lt. M. Hatif shot down the Israeli Phantom.[31]

Eight 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.

On 26 April 1974, PAF pilot Flt. Lt. Sattar Alvi on deputation to No. 67 Squadron, Syrian Air Force (SAF) was flying a SAF MiG-21FL (serial no. 1863) out of Dumayr Air Base, Syria in a two-ship formation with a fellow PAF pilot and the Flight Leader, Sqn. Ldr. Arif Manzoor. The Ground Controller, also a PAF officer, Sqn. Ldr. Salim Metla, vectored the two PAF pilots to a formation of 2 Israeli Air Force Mirage IIICJs and 2 F-4 Phantoms that had intruded into Syrian airspace over the Golan Heights. In the engagement that took place at 1532 hours, Flt. Lt. Sattar Alvi shot down an Israeli Mirage IIICJ using his MiG-21's R(K)-13 air-to-air missile. The pilot of the downed Israeli Mirage was Capt. M. Lutz of No. 5 Air Wing, who ejected. The remaining Israeli fighters aborted the mission. The 2 IAF Mirage IIICJs were from Hatzor Airbase and the 2 IAF F-4 Phantoms were from No. 1 Air Wing, Ramat David AFB, Israel.[32][33][34]

Flt. Lt. 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.[35] Other aerial encounters involved Israeli F-4 Phantoms; Pakistan Air Force did not lose a single pilot or aircraft during this war.

1979–1988 Soviet-Afghan War

Main articles: Soviet war in Afghanistan and Soviet-Afghan War

In 1979 the PAF's Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal M. Anwar Shamim, was told by then president Zia ul Haq that Pakistan had reliable information of Indian plans to attack and destroy the Pakistani nuclear research facilities at Kahuta. ACM Shamim told Zia that Indian aircraft could reach the area in 3 minutes whereas the PAF would take 8 minutes, allowing the Indians to attack the facility and return before the PAF could defend it. Because Kahuta was too close to the Indian border to be effectively defended it was decided that the best way to deter an Indian attack would be to procure new advanced fighters and weaponry. These would be used to mount a retaliatory attack on India's nuclear research facilities at Trombay in the event of an Indian attack on Kahuta. It was decided the most suitable aircraft would be the F-16, which the United States eventually agreed to supply after the PAF refused to buy the F-5E and F-5G. In 1983, when the first batch of F-16s reached Pakistan, ACM Shamim informed Zia of the PAF's capability to respond to an attack on the nuclear research facilities at Kahuta.[36][37]

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 neighbouring 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. The first three of these (one Su-22, one probable Su-22, and one An-26) were shot down by two pilots from No. 9 Squadron. Pilots of No. 14 Squadron destroyed the remaining five intruders (two Su-22s, two MiG-23s, and one Su-25). Most of these kills were by the AIM-9 Sidewinder, but at least one (a Su-22) was destroyed by cannon fire. Flight Lieutenant Khalid Mahmood is credited with three of these kills. One F-16 was lost in these battles during an encounter between two F-16s and six Afghan Air Force aircraft on 29 April 1987, stated by the PAF to have been an "own-goal" because it was hit by an AIM-9 Sidewinder fired from the other F-16. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Shahid Sikandar Khan, ejected safely.[38]

The PAF is believed to have evaluated the Dassault Mirage 2000 in early 1981 and was planning to evaluate the F-16 afterwards.[39]

1990–2001: The Lost Decade

Desperate for a new high-tech combat aircraft, between late 1990 and 1993 the PAF evaluated the European Panavia Tornado MRCA (multi-role combat aircraft) and rejected it. The Mirage 2000E and an offer from Poland for the supply of MiG-29 and Su-27 were also considered but nothing materialised. In 1992 the PAF again looked at the Mirage 2000, reviving a proposal from the early 1980s to procure around 20-40 aircraft, but again a sale did not occur because France did not want to sell a fully-capable version due to political reasons. In August 1994 the PAF was offered the Saab JAS-39 Gripen by Sweden, but again the sale did not occur because 20% of the Gripen's components were from the U.S. and Pakistan was still under U.S. sanctions.[40]

In mid-1992 Pakistan was close to signing a contract for the supply of 40 Dassault Mirage 2000, equipped with Thomson-CSF RDM/7 radars, from France.[41]

In mid-1994 it was reported that the Russian manufacturers Sukhoi and Mikoyan were offering the Su-27 and MiG-29.[42] But Pakistan was later reported to be negotiating for supply of the Dassault Mirage 2000-5.[43] French and Russian teams visited Pakistan on 27 November 1994 and it was speculated that interest in the Russian aircraft was to pressure France into reducing the price of the Mirage 2000. Stated requirement was for up to 40 aircraft.[44]

1999 India-Pakistan Kargil Conflict

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) did not see active combat during the low-intensity Kargil Conflict between India and Pakistan during the summer of 1999 but remained on high air defence alert (ADA) and performed F-16 and F-7MP combat air patrols (CAPs) near the eastern border with India. The PAF closely monitored and tracked the IAF's movements near the Line of Control in Kashmir as well as the India-Pakistan international border. Occasionally,PAF F-16s locked on to IAF MiG 29 and Mirage 2000s across the Line of Control but did not engage.[45]

2001–Present: Counter-insurgency Operations and Modernization

Counter-insurgency operations

See also: War in North-West Pakistan

The Pakistan Army faced several problems during its 2009 offensive against the Taliban in north-west Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis fled the area when the offensive was announced and, eventually, over 2 million had to be accommodated in refugee camps. The offensive was to be completed as quickly as possible to allow the refugees to return to their homes but the army's fleet attack helicopters were not sufficient to provide adequate support to the infantry. The PAF was sent into action against the Taliban to make up for the lack of helicopter gunships. Because the PAF was trained and equipped to fight a conventional war, a new "counter-terrorist doctrine" had to be improvised.[46]

The PAF's Saffron Bandit 2009/2010 exercise focused on extensive training of combat personnel to undertake COIN operations. New equipment was inducted to improve the PAF's joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. A C-130 transport aircraft was indigenously modified for day/night ISR operations.[46][47]

The PAF had initially been forced to use Google Earth for reconnaissance imagery until high resolution infra-red sensors were provided by the U.S. prior to the arny's 2009 campaign in the Swat valley. These were installed on around 10 of the PAF's F-16 fighters and used to gather detailed reconnaissance imagery of the entire valley. Use of laser-guided bombs was increased to 80% of munitions used, as compared to 40% in the previous 2008 Bajaur campaign. A small corps of ground spotters were trained and used by the PAF, in addition to PA spotters, to identify high value targets.[48]

Prior to the PA's offensive into South Waziristan the PAF attacked militant infrastructure with 500 lb and 2000 lb bombs.[48]

2008 Air Alert

After the Mumbai attacks and threats made by India PAF was put on high alert. Pakistani press reported an outstanding order to launch a counter attack in case of an air attack from India after Indian Forign Minister Pranab Mukharjee threatened Pakistani President in rough tone. On the morning of 14 December Indian aircraft started moving towards Pakistan,PAF moved swiftly and intercepted them before they entered international borders. Two of the aircraft did cross the border but Indian aircraft managed to turn back. PAF was ordered to carry on the defensive combat patrols but avoid hostile action unless further hostile action was to take place.[49]

Civilian casualties

A number of civilian deaths occurred during PAF air strikes on 10 April 2010 in the Khyber tribal region. According to a Pakistani military source, the first bombing was targeted at a gathering of militants in a compound. Local people, who had quickly moved onto the scene to recover the dead and wounded, were then killed during a second air strike. There was no confirmed death toll but at least 30 civilian deaths had occurred according to the military source, whereas a local official stated at least 73 locals, including women and children, were killed.[50] A six-member committee of tribal elders from the area, tasked with finding the exact number of civilian casualties, reported that 61 civilians were killed and 21 wounded. This was not confirmed by military or political leaders but Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Kayani, gave a public apology on 17 April.[51][52] It is reported that BBC news and several other media correspondences were not allowed to take interviews from injured which makes the whole episode more mysterious.[53]

Acquisitions and exercises

A pair of JF-17 Thunder performing at the 2007 National Parade
A dual-seat F-16B
PAF F-16s arrive at Red Flag 2010 in Nevada

In light of Pakistan's significant contribution to the War on Terror,[54][55] 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 lifting 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 8 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 Bush administration on July 24, 2008 informed the US Congress it plans to shift nearly $230 million of $300 million in aid from counterterrorism programs to upgrading Pakistan's aging F-16s.[56] The Bush administration previously announced on June 27, 2008 it was proposing to sell Pakistan ITT Corporation's electronic warfare gear valued at up to $75 million to enhance Islamabad's existing F-16s.[57] Pakistan has asked about buying as many as 21 AN/ALQ-211(V)9 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite pods, or AIDEWS, and related equipment.[58] The proposed sale will ensure that the existing fleet is "compatible" with new F-16 Block 50/52 fighters being purchased by Islamabad.

The modernisation stall would end in April 2006 when the Pakistani cabinet approved the PAF's proposals to procure new aircraft and systems from several sources, including modern combat aircraft from the U.S. and China. The AFFDP 2019 (Armed Forces Development Programme 2019) would oversee the modernisation of the Pakistan Air Force from 2006 to 2019.[59]

Between 2005 and 2008, 14 F-16A/B Block 15 OCU fighters were delivered to the PAF under renewed post-9/11 ties between the U.S. and Pakistan. These had originally been built for Pakistan under the Peace Gate III/IV contracts but were never delivered due to the U.S. arms embargo imposed in 1990.[60]

On 13 December 2008, the Government of Pakistan stated that two Indian Air Force aircraft were intercepted by the PAF kilometres within Pakistani airspace. This charge was denied by the Indian government.[61]

During talks with a delegation from the French Senate on Monday 28 September 2009, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani stated that the PAF had used most of its stockpile of laser-guided munitions against militants in the Malakand and FATA regions and that replacements for such types of equipment were urgently required.[62]

File:PAF new Il-78 Midas aerial refueller.JPG
PAF new Il-78 Midas aerial refueller

December 2009 saw the delivery of the PAF's first Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C from Sweden and Il-78MP Midas aerial refuelling tanker/military transport aircraft from Ukraine.[63][64][65]

The PAF is reported to be considering purchasing the Hongdu L-15 advanced jet trainer to train pilots for high-tech fighters such as the FC-20. Extensive evaluations of the aircraft took place in Pakistan during December 2009.[66][67]

During the High Mark 2010 exercise in April 2010, a Chengdu F-7 and Mirage 5 fighter (flown by Squadron Leader Nasir Mehmood and Wing Commander Atta ur Rehman respectively) practised landing, refuelling and take-off operations from a Pakistani motorway. It was reported that the PAF is in negotiations with the Ministry of Communications to set up all required facilities for Air Force operations on the motorways and highways of Pakistan.[68][69]

On 26 June 2010 the first batch of 3 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighters were delivered to PAF Base Shahbaz, Jacobabad.[70] According to Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman the new fighters would eliminate the PAF's limitations in precision night-time strike operations,[71] the existing capability being based on around 34 Dassault Mirage 5 fighters upgraded with new avionics for night-time precision strike missions under the Retrofit Of Strike Element (ROSE) programme during 1999-2004.[72][73][74]

In July 2010 a squadron of F-16 fighters and 100 PAF personnel were flown to Nellis Air Force Base in the USA to participate in the Red Flag exercise for the first time.[75][76][77][78][79]

Organisation

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. 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.

Commands

  • Air Force Strategic Command (AFSC), Islamabad
  • Northern Air Command (NAC), Peshawar
  • Central Air Command (CAC), Lahore
  • Southern Air Command (SAC), Faisal, Karachi
  • Air Defence Command (ADC), Chaklala, Rawalpindi

Bases

Main article: List of Pakistan Air Force bases

These are the bases from which the PAF planes operate during peace time.[80] They have complete infrastructure of hardened shelters, control towers, workshops, ordnance depots etc. There are ten flying bases and also seven non-flying bases: {{Top}} may refer to:

{{Template disambiguation}} should never be transcluded in the main namespace.

Flying bases

| class="col-break " |

Non-flying bases

Template:Bottom

Rank Structure

Officers
Pakistan Air Force Officer Ranks
Rank Air Chief Marshal
(4-Star) 		Air Marshal
(3-Star) 		Air Vice Marshal
(2-Star) 		Air Commodore
(1-Star) 		Group Captain Wing Commander Squadron Leader Flight Lieutenant Flying Officer Pilot Officer
NATO equivalent OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF-1
Uniform insignia

Note: Originally, the Pakistan Air Force rank insignia were similar to the Royal Air Force rank insignia. In 2006, the Pakistan Air Force changed the rank insignia for its officers, abandoning the ring insignia in favour of the current insignia.

Airmen
Civilian

Personnel

Current High Command

Air Headquarters
  • Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman — Chief of Air Staff (CAS)
  • Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt — Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS)
  • Air Marshal Waseem-ud-Din — Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Administration)
  • Air Marshal Mohammad Hassan — Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations)
  • Air Marshal Athar Hussain Bukhari — Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Personnel)
  • Air Marshal Asim Suleiman — Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Support)
  • Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Jamshed Khan — DG Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (DG C4I)
  • Air Vice Marshal Hafeez Ullah — DG Air Intelligence (DG AI)
  • Air Vice Marshal Qasim Masood Khan — Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Engineering)
  • Air Vice Marshal Sohail Aman — Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Training)
  • Air Vice Marshal Syed Razi Nawab — Inspector General Air Force (IG AF)
  • Air Vice Marshal Javaid Ahmed — Chief Project Director, JF-17 Thunder (CPD JF-17)
  • Air Vice Marshal Sohail Ahmad — DG Air Force Strategic Command (DG AFSC)
Commands
  • Air Vice Marshal Azher Hasan — Commandant, PAF Air War College, Karachi
  • Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Arif — Air Officer Commanding, Northern Air Command (NAC), Peshawar
  • Air Vice Marshal Arshad Quddus — Air Officer Commanding, Southern Air Command (SAC), Karachi
  • Air Vice Marshal Syed Hassan Raza — Air Officer Commanding, Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur
  • Air Vice Marshal Faheem Arshad Lodhi — Air Officer Commanding, Air Defence Command (ADC), Chaklala
  • Air Vice Marshal Saeed Muhammad Khan — Air Officer Commanding, Central Air Command (CAC), Lahore
External appointments
  • Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan — Chairman, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra
  • Air Vice Marshal Riaz-ul-Haq — Deputy DG, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Karachi
  • Air Vice Marshal Kamal Alam Siddiqui — Director, Precision Engineering Complex (PEC), Karachi
  • Air Vice Marshal Sajid Habib — DG Joint Operations (DG JO) at GHQ, Rawalpindi
  • Air Vice Marshal Syed Najam-ul-Asar — Additional Secretary-II (PAF) at Ministry of Defence, Rawalpindi
  • Air Vice Marshal Dr Asif Raza — Pro-Rector Academics and Research (A&R) at NUST, Islamabad
  • Air Vice Marshal Zubair Iqbal Malik — DG Air Weapons Complex (AWC), Wah Cantonment
  • Air Vice Marshal Sohail Gul Khan — DG Logistics (DG Log) at Joint Staff HQ, Chaklala
  • Air Vice Marshal Aminullah Khan — Managing Director, Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF) at PAC Kamra

List of Air Force chiefs

Main article: Chief of Air Staff (Pakistan)
  1. Air Vice Marshal Allan Perry-Keene (August 15, 1947 – February 17, 1949)
  2. Air Vice Marshal Richard Atcherley (February 18, 1949 – May 6, 1951)
  3. Air Vice Marshal Leslie William Cannon (May 7, 1951 – June 19, 1955)
  4. Air Vice Marshal Arthur McDonald (June 20, 1955 – July 22, 1957)
  5. Air Marshal Asghar Khan (July 23, 1957 – July 22, 1965)
  6. Air Marshal Nur Khan (July 23, 1965 – August 31, 1969)
  7. Air Marshal Abdul Rahim Khan (September 1, 1969 – March 2, 1972)
  8. Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry (March 3, 1972 – April 15, 1974)
  9. Air Chief Marshal Zulfiqar Ali Khan (April 16, 1974 – July 22, 1978)
  10. Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim (July 23, 1978 – March 5, 1985)
  11. Air Chief Marshal Jamal A. Khan (March 6, 1985 – March 8, 1988)
  12. Air Chief Marshal Hakimullah (March 9, 1988 – March 9, 1991)
  13. Air Chief Marshal Farooq Feroze Khan (March 9, 1991 – November 8, 1994)
  14. Air Chief Marshal Abbas Khattak (November 8, 1994 – November 7, 1997)
  15. Air Chief Marshal Parvaiz Mehdi Qureshi (November 7, 1997 – November 20, 2000)
  16. Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir (November 20, 2000 – February 20, 2003)
  17. Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat (March 18, 2003 – March 18, 2006)
  18. Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed (March 18, 2006 – March 18, 2009)
  19. Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman (March 19, 2009 – present)

Awards for valour

Main article: Nishan-e-Haider

The Nishan-e-Haider (Urdu: نشان حیدر) (Order of Ali), is the highest military award given by Pakistan. Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas (1951–August 20, 1971) is the only officer of the PAF to be awarded the Nishan-e-Haider for sacrificing his life to save an aircraft from being hijacked to India.[81] Other awards include:

  • Squadron Leader Muhammad Mehmood Alam — credited for downing nine fighters [82] of the Indian Air Force in air-to-air combat.[83]
  • Squadron Leader Sarfraz Rafiqui Shaheed — awarded for refusing to abandon his group of fighters during a battle despite his guns being jammed. He continued his attempts to assist his squadron in the battle by chasing enemy fighters until eventually being shot down.[84]

Special Forces

Main article: Special Service Wing
PAF Special Services Wing carrying FN F2000 rifles while on training at the Fort Lewis, Washington in USA on, July 23, 2007.

Special Service Wing (SSW) is an independent commando division of the Pakistan Air Force. It is an elite special operations force based upon the US Air Force's 1st Special Operations Wing unit and the US Army's Ranger units. The division has recently been created and is fielding between 120 to 130 men in one company.

Women in the PAF

Females have been enrolled in the Pakistan Air Force since its creation, but their induction had been limited to administrative branches only. However, females are now allowed to enroll in the aerospace engineering and other programs of the nation's air force academy. Two batches of female fighter pilots graduated in year 2006 bringing out the first female pilots of the Pakistan Air Force.[85]

On March 31, 2006, Saba Khan, Nadia Gul, Mariam Khalil and Saira Batool were among 36 aviation cadets who received their wings after three and a half years of regular training. Saira Amin, a female cadet, has made history by being the first woman pilot to have won the Sword of Honour in any defence academy of Pakistan, at the passing out parade of the 117th GD (P) at Risalpur[86] Of the first four female pilots, none qualified for a fighter aircraft squadron of the Air Force. They are therefore now part of the light communication squadron of Pakistan Air Force. Later on PAF High command decided to close women induction in future fighter courses.[87][88]

Minorities in the PAF

Minorities have served in the PAF with distinction, since its inception. Here are a few well known names: Air Vice Marshal Eric Gordon Hall, was base commander Sargodha during the 1965 war, Air Commodore Nazir Latif, Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry helped establish the Combat Commanders School, Wing Commander Melvin Leslie Middlecoat, was CO of the 9th Squadron during 1965 and Squadron Leader Peter Christy.

Inventory

Combat aircraft

Main article: List of aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force
See also: List of Pakistan Air Force aircraft squadrons
Chengdu F-7PG

The PAF currently operates approximately 450 combat aircraft of 4 different types, planned to be reduced to 3 types by 2015. There are around 20 front-line squadrons.[89]

A Dassault Mirage 5 ROSE strike fighter, with FLIR sensor under the nose, taxiing past a JF-17.

The primary air defence fighter is the Chengdu F-7, of which two variants are in service; 120 F-7P and 60 F-7PG. An upgraded variant of the F-7M, F-7P incorporates many PAF-specific modifications such as Martin-Baker ejection seat, two extra weapon stations for a total of 5, an extra 30 mm cannon and an Italian-designed FIAR Grifo 7 multi-mode radar. F-7P was inducted in the late 1980s and early 1990s, intended to supplement a fleet of more advanced F-16 fighters. The Grifo 7 radar was later upgraded to the Grifo 7 mk.II version. The F-7PG variant incorporates a "cranked delta" wing which improves take-off, landing and turning performance considerably, as well as extra space in the nose to accommodate the much improved Grifo 7PG radar. F-7 replaced around 250 Shenyang J-6 fighters which were the PAF's workhorse throughout the 1970s and 1980s. F-7 is also used to perform limited strike duties.[90]

The second most numerous type is the French-designed Dassault Mirage III and Dassault Mirage 5, which differ mainly in nose shape and avionics fit. Mirage III fighters are geared towards performing multiple mission types, including interception and strike, whereas Mirage 5 fighters are more focused towards strike missions. Around 150 Mirage fighters are in service, many of which are second-hand examples procured from other countries, making the PAF the largest operator of the type in the world. In the 1990s and early 2000s, 33 Mirage III and 34 Mirage 5 fighters were upgraded under Project ROSE (Retrofit Of Strike Element) with modern avionics, significantly improving their capabilities. Mirage III ROSE fighters are configured for multiple mission types such as air superiority and strike, whereas Mirage 5 ROSE fighters specialise in the day/night strike role.

A JF-17 taxiing towards a runway. A Mirage 5 is parked in the background with its canopy raised.

The JF-17 Thunder, a new fighter jointly developed by China and Pakistan, is currently being inducted by the PAF and it is expected to gradually replace all Dassault Mirage III/5, Nanchang A-5 and Chengdu F-7 by 2015. A total of 250-300 aircraft are planned to be built, with later aircraft featuring improved airframes, avionics and engines. Currently 14 aircraft are in service and the first JF-17 squadron is officially made operational. Number 26 squadron is established in Kamra in which 14 airplanes are initially inducted. With the establishment of the first squadron of the JF-17, the two A-5 squadrons will also be grounded. The first Pakistani-built JF-17, manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, was rolled out and handed over to the PAF on on 23 November 2009.

PAF F-16D Block 52+

The most capable fighter in PAF service from 1983 to 2007 has been the F-16 Fighting Falcon. 40 of the F-16A/B Block 15 models were delivered from 1983 to 1987. Deliveries of another 28 F-16A/B were stopped after the 1990 arms embargo imposed on Pakistan under the Pressler Amendment but 14 of these were later delivered during 2005-2008. The F-16A/B fleet is to be upgraded with MLU (Mid-Life Update) modification kits and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits by Turkish Aerospace Industries starting in September 2010 at a rate of 1 per month. Four F-16A/B are already undergoing upgrade in the U.S. for delivery in 2011. The MLU package will include new APG-69v9 radars, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems and Link-16 data-links, along with other new communications, targeting and electronic warfare systems.[91][92]

In 2006, 12 F-16C and 6 F-16D Block 52+ were ordered with a further 18 aircraft optional. 14 of the optional fighters were ordered in 2010.[93][94] The first batch of 3 F-16C/D fighters landed at PAF Base Shahbaz, Jacacobad, on 26 June 2010.[95][96]

The Nanchang Q-5 in Chinese service, a modified A-5C variant is in service with the PAF and being replaced by the JF-17.

The Nanchang A-5C (or A-5III) is a Chinese-designed light bomber. Inducted in 1982 to help defend against a possible attack from the Soviet Union, it replaced the last of the PAF's B-57 Canberra bombers and around 100 were procured in total for a reported flyaway cost of USD$1 million each. Numbers were reduced later and around 42 remain in service. Retirement of the type was initially planned in the late 1990s and shortfall in capabilities was to be met by upgraded Mirage 5 fighters modified under Project ROSE, but the aircraft's excellent flight safety record ensured it stayed operational.

JF-17 flying overhead silhouette

The PAF is to induct a number of the Chinese Chengdu FC-20, an advanced PAF-specific variant of the Chengdu J-10. 36 fighters equipping two FC-20 squadrons are expected to be delivered by 2015 [97] and, according to some reports, the FC-20 fleet may eventually be increased to 150 fighters.[98]

Special mission aircraft

File:.jpg Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft were first sought by the PAF in the 1980s, but the requirement was not met until December 2009 when the first of four Saab 2000 Erieye aircraft ordered in 2006 was delivered. The remaining three Erieye are expected to be delivered in 2010. Built to the PAF's specifications, the Saab 2000 Erieye is fitted with 5 operator stations and 4 command stations. The aircraft's Erieye radar has a range of 450 km and is also capable of identifying the type of aircraft and the weapons it is carrying.[99] Erieye will be connected via data-link to the PAF's command and control ground environment as well as combat aircraft such as the F-16.

Four Chinese ZDK-03 AEW&C aircraft have also been ordered, with first delivery expected in late 2010.[100] These are believed to be a PAF-specific version of the KJ-200, incorporating a Chinese AESA radar similar to the Erieye mounted on the Shaanxi Y-8F600 transport aircraft.

The PAF's No.24 Blinders squadron operates three Dassault Falcon 20 aircraft in the ELINT and ECM roles.[101]

Transport aircraft

PAF C-130 Hercules

The C-130 Hercules has been the PAF's primary tactical transport aircraft since its induction in the early 1960s. Currently around 5 C-130B and 7 C-130E models are in service, upgraded with Allison T56-A-15 turboprops and extended fatigue lives by Lockheed-Georgia Company. The C-130 is supplemented by 4 CASA CN-235 STOL transports, although the 4th aircraft is equipped with an interior for transporting VIPs such as the PAF Chief of Air Staff. Heavy-lift transports comprise 3 Boeing 707s transferred from Pakistan International Airlines starting 1986.

External videos
video icon A pair of Mirage III fighters are refuelled in the air by the PAF's Il-78 tanker during exercise High Mark 2010. [99]

In December 2009 the PAF received its first of four Il-78 aircraft which is capable of aerial refuelling as well as transporting cargo. Aerial refuelling capability was first demonstrated during the High Mark 2010 exercise on 6 April 2010 when two of the PAF's Mirage III fighters were simultaneously refuelled in the air by the Il-78.[99][102][103][104][105]

PAF Super Mushak Trainer

Surface-to-air missile systems

  • Crotale 4000 - A short to medium range air defence system. 11 Crotale 2000 acquisition units and 23 missile batteries were inducted in 1976. These were later upgraded to Crotale 4000 standard in Pakistan, increasing missile range from 20 km to 30 km.[106] Crotale is expected to be replaced by Spada 2000.[107]


  • MBDA Spada 2000 - A low to medium altitude air defence system consisting of a radar with 60 km range and four 6-cell missile launchers. The Aspide 2000 missile can intercept enemy missiles and aircraft at a range of over 20 km. A contract for 10 batteries was signed after Spada 2000 was selected over competing systems from Raytheon, Diehl BGT and Saab and pre-contract firing tests in Pakistan, which were assisted by the Italian Air Force.[108] According to some sources, Pakistan ordered 20 Spada 2000 air defence systems and 750 Aspide 2000 missiles in 2007.[109] Latest reports state Pakistan is to test the Spada 2000 air defence system in July 2010, followed by deliveries of first of ten batteries. Deliveries of all ten batteries are reported to be completed by 2013 with further orders possible.[110] Pakistan test fired the new SPADA 2000 Plus air defence missile system in July 2010. The missile system was tested by the Range & Instrumentation Division of SUPARCO (National Space Agency). Three drone planes were successfully intercepted and shot down by the SPADA 2000 Plus Missile System.
  • HQ-2 - Chinese version of SA-2 Guideline high altitude air defence system, 12 or more batteries procured circa 1970s.[111]
  • HQ-9 - In October 2003 it was reported that China had closed a deal with Pakistan to supply an unspecified number of FT-2000 systems, an anti-radiation variant of the HQ-9 long range air defence system,[112] although in March 2009 a report was published stating that Pakistan was not considering importing the missile.[113] It was reported in mid-2008 that Pakistan intended to purchase a high altitude air defence and missile defence system and the FD-2000, another variant of HQ-9, was expected to be chosen.[107][114]
  • RBS 70: Low-altitude air defence system that fires laser beam-riding missiles.[115][116]
  • Anza Mk.1/Mk.2/Mk.3: Man-portable air defence system of Pakistani origin which is made by Kahuta Research Laboratories.[117]
  • Mistral: Low altitude man-portable air defence system of French origin.[118]
  • FIM-92 Stinger: Low altitude man-portable air defence system of U.S. origin.[119]

See also

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