Air Defence System of Pakistan ( Suggestions )

Columnist Syed Imran Shah suggests high-tech modernisation.

INTRODUCTION

The dominant role of air power in modern warfare has been clearly established. A nation unable to defend itself against air assaults of its adversary would be placed at a serious disadvantage in any future conflict. Air defence especially for nations under threat of military aggression thus becomes a vital element in its overall defence strategy.
India has a potent air power strike element that poses a serious threat to the security of Pakistan in any armed conflict. To be able to employ this offensive potential, the Indian Air Force would first have to overcome and degrade Pakistan’s air defence network. A strong and resilient air defence system then becomes imperative for Pakistan in order to prevent the Indian juggernaut. This article will address the air defence issues in general with special focus on Pakistan.

BACKGROUND
To carry out effective strike missions against targets defended by complex air defence systems a special mission was designed, called Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD/DEAD). Some specially modified aircraft were used for these missions, which were called Wild Weasels in the United States Air Force. These warplanes have special equipment for the detection of enemy radar stations and special missiles for knocking out these radars, called anti-radiation missiles (ARMs). The first of this kind was F-100 Super Sabre and later F-105 Thunder Chief armed with AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles, used in the Vietnam War. In the Operation Desert Storm in 1991, USAF used its F-4G Wild Weasels in SEAD role and they played an important role in the destruction of integrated air defences of Iraq. In Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom, the annihilation of the Taliban’s air defence network by SEAD missions permitted the use of the huge B-52 bombers and AC-130s to carry out devastating aerial attacks with impunity.
It was the growing threat of SAMs (Surface-to-air missiles) and sophisticated gun systems that caused the development of Stealth Technology. Stealth Technology is basically used to avoid radar detection without flying at low-level and thus escape many air defence systems. In Operation Desert Storm in 1991, USAF used its stealthy F-117 Night Hawks in the first strikes against the heavily defended targets in Baghdad. The F-22 Raptor is a stealth fighter, therefore, all of the weapons are carried internally in the weapon bay to minimize the range from which it can be detected. But it also has the external stores option, which can be exercised once enemy air defences are suppressed and there are no high stealth requirements. So, the heavy blow comes after the destruction of the air defences.
In order to carry out an effective interdiction mission, air defences of enemy have to be knocked out. On the other hand, for the defenders, to avoid devastation of national assets, air defence must be impregnable. Also, any nuclear strike will certainly be easy against the country whose air defences or ballistic missile defences are relatively weaker.

The EW & Arm Threat
Suppression of enemy air defences is carried out either by hard kill method or soft kill method. Hard kill means actual destruction of anti-aircraft defences and soft kill means jamming or disabling the surveillance and fire control radars for a particular time-period so that a strike formation can finish its job. For the hard kills, AGM-88 HARM (High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and other PGMs (Precision-Guided Munitions) are employed. For the soft kill, special EW (Electronic Warfare) planes are used. The EW planes used in Operation Desert Storm were EF-111 Ravens form USAF and EA-6B Prowlers from US Navy. These EW planes jammed the Iraqi radars and provided a safe corridor to the incoming strike formation. The EF-111s have been retired now. The EA-6 can also carry out HARM strikes against radars.
If a radar operator sees himself under attack of an anti-radar missile and shuts down the radar, even then a soft kill is achieved while attempting a hard kill. But the newer ARMs (other than AGM-45 Shrike like AGM-78 Standard, AGM-88 HARM, ALARM etc) remember the last location of the radar when it was emitting, and they continue their attack based on that last updated position of the SAM radar.
Israeli Air Force has also undertaken SEAD/DEAD missions on massive scale in the Yom Kippur war (1973) and Bekka Valley conflict (1982) in which 19 Syrian SAM sites were destroyed in a single day. In April 1986, the Libyan SA-5 Gammon long-range SAM was disabled by destroying its Square Pair radar by US planes firing ARMs.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR SAMs
An ARM basically destroys the emitting antenna of a radar unit, but the incoming strike formation can then destroy the remaining installations by cluster bomb attacks.
So the radars are prone to jamming and anti-radiation missile attacks and then there is no use of radar-guided Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and radar-controlled AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery).
The Indian acquisition of Russian (Kh-25MP, Kh-59) and French (ARMAT) ARMs, and Israeli Harpy anti-radar drones coupled with IAI Malat Searcher 2 UAVs pose a serious threat to our air defence system. Hence, most of the SAMs defending the strategic assets must have multiple guidance methods, e.g., they should have at least two more guidance sensor like Electro-Optical, Laser, FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red), IIR (Imaging Infra Red) etc in addition to engagement radar to impart them all-weather 24hr capability.
The Crotale NG SHORAD (Short Range Air Defence System) also features this approach and has multiple sensors like radar, FLIR and CCD TV. Both the surveillance and engagement radars of the Crotale NG are frequency-agile. The laser guidance is difficult to jam like CCD TV and IIR seekers. Laser guidance is available in short-range SAMs like Shorts Starburst and ADATS. Laser guided SHORAD systems should be made available to form MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defence System) and DETPADS (Detachment Portable AD System) around key points. The laser guidance allows the SAM to engage intruders at more head on range than simple IR-guided systems. TV-guidance allows engagement of targets at even lower levels than that is possible through radar guidance.
Long-range SAMs have no other option but to be guided by radars. They can be fooled in their final approach by ECMs (Electronic Counter Measures) like jammer, chaff, flare or other decoys, so these radars must feature ECCMs (Electronic Counter Counter Measures) like algorithms of AMRAAM’s radar to reject chaff and other decoys and to engage the correct target.
The MANPADS should be equipped with night sights to enable them to be used at night. Infrared (IR) guided missiles with Imaging IR (IIR) seekers are also difficult to counter because they can even select the part of aircraft to hit from its thermal image.
A SAM-based air defence system consists of surveillance radar for the detection of intruders and engagement radar for missile guidance. The surveillance radar (which is usually long-range) is difficult to replace with another sensor, but should be made resistant against jamming efforts. It should feature high frequency-agility and all possible ECMs (like operating on multiple frequencies at the same time) to make jamming difficult and keep it functioning. Our 35mm GDF-series Oerlikon AD guns should be upgraded to fire the AHEAD round, which will increase their lethality and SSKP (Single Shot Kill Probability).

DEALING WITH LOW LEVEL AIR THREAT
If the attack formation comes at a very low-level (about 100 feet), like the Jaguars of IAF, to avoid radar-detection and follow it up with a typical pop-up manoeuvre over the target, then the only time to engage them would be during their pop up phase when they will be pulling up in order to acquire the target and deliver their weapons load. During the pull-up, they will try to get a radar lock of the target, and this will be a time to get a lock on them and fire the SAM before they can release their payloads in the following dive.
With the availability of retarded bombs, this pop up phase has been considerably reduced thereby making it harder for the SAMs to achieve a lock on for successful engagement. AAA, with its inherent limitations would then be the only option with the defenders to intercept the raiders before weapons release phase.
To detect low-level intruders, the best solution is AWACS (Air Borne Warning And Control System). Today, we have many AWACS platforms available in the market other than US E-2 Hawkeye and E-3 Sentry, like Erieye radar on EMB-145. India is also trying to purchase the Israeli Phalcon AEW system and install it on IL-76 aircraft. This capability will be a force multiplier and greatly assist in not only their air defence effort but also their interdiction missions over Pakistan. The Indian raiders would get timely warning of any interceptors during the strike phase thus permitting them various defensive options to avoid getting intercepted. In the air defence role, after the Indian acquisition of AWACS, PAF’s strike formations would be unable to avoid detection even while flying at very low levels. This would seriously compromise its offensive potential.


STANDOFF WEAPONS
Today, the range of standoff Air-to-Surface weapons is on the increase and if the range of an AGM (air-to-ground missile) is more than the engagement range of a SAM, then the SAM site can be easily targeted, if no air cover is provided. With the standoff air-to-ground weapons, the pilot needs not to over fly the target and thus avoid its short-range air defences. So, the counter can be a long-range SAM belt around strategic assets or at least air force fighters should be provided with the best available BVR missiles (which in turn requires a modern long-range airborne radar to operate, even if it has active-radar guidance).
Indian Jaguars have the AS-30L missile, which give them the ability to target Air Defence sites in addition to other targets. Mirage 2000Hs, Jaguars and Mig-27s have been equipped with Rafael Litening targeting pods to deliver LGBs (Laser Guided Bombs) at standoff ranges of up to 64.8km and from a max altitude of 40,000 feet. Thus Litening allows them to avoid the VSHORAD (up to 4km) and SHORAD (up to 10km) systems.
Similarly, PAF is equipped with AGM-65 Mavericks and LGBs (with Atlis pod) and can use them in a number of ways. But this does not mean that they will always attack from standoff ranges. The possibility may be that they will try to destroy the air defences from a standoff range using ARMs, AGMs and LGBs and then carry out interdiction missions of over flying the targets, on the pattern of Israeli Air Force.
Litening Pod also allows Mirage 2000Hs, Jaguars and Mig-27s to undertake night strike missions over Pakistan through FLIR (Forward-looking Infra red). At night manned AAA will also be not effective and the range of the airborne radars (especially where ground radar cover is not available) will limit the operation of hostile interceptors, which is about 39km in Griffo-7 radars in F-7s and upgraded Mirages. Here the long-range radar of F-16s may work.
AIR DEFENCE FIGHTERS
PAF’s F-7s are a Chinese copy of Ex-Soviet Mig-21 Fishbed, which also forms the backbone of Indian air defence. Therefore, F-7s must match the performance of the upgraded Mig-21bis, called Mig-21-93. The upgraded Mig-21 also features BVR capability in the form of R-77 (AA-12 Adder), which is equivalent to AIM-120 AMRAAM.
The F-16s are considered air warriors of Pakistan, so they must be upgraded on the style of MLU (Mid-Life Upgrade) if possible. These fighters rely on Sidewinders (AIM-9L, P) and must be equipped with some latest 4th generation WVR (Within Visual Range) AAM having at least 70-60 degree off-bore sight engagement capability as IAF has R-73 (AA-11, Archer) missile which has off-bore sight capability along with an impressive range. If the acquisition of AIM-9X is not possible then the possibility of integrating A-Darter or ASRAAM or Mica with F-16s, F-7s and Mirages should be investigated.

THE ROLE OF BVR AAM

The detection range of the surveillance radars is always more than the range of Anti-radar missiles or Air-to-Surface Missiles. This can be used to an advantage in the way that friendly fighters on CAP (Combat Air Patrol) or ADA (Air Defence Alert) be instantly vectored towards the general heading of the enemy formation to intercept them well before the launch range of their weapons or the operating range of their jamming equipment. This means that enemy strike formation should be intercepted at least 50km away from target and any enemy fighter/attacker going beyond this should be engaged on priority basis. Some methods should be devised for identification at long distances, so that IFF (Identification of Friend or Foe) is not a problem and ROE (Rules of Engagement) can be relaxed. Here it becomes necessary to have fighter jets equipped with BVR (Beyond Visual Range) AAMs (Air-to-Air Missiles) of at least 35-30 km range to intercept enemy attack formation head on at a maximum safe distance from a strategic or tactical asset.
With the active-radar guided BVR missiles, our fighters will also be able to shoot down very high-flying enemy jets like Mig-25 recce planes. This is a point where we cannot replace fighters by SAMs or other missiles.

BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE
The next important aspect of our air defence system is against Ballistic Missiles because our adversary has the short and long-range Ballistic Missiles and they will certainly be used in any possible future conflict. Here we shall not discuss a national missile defence umbrella on pattern of NMD programme of USA, but the point defence system or TMD (Theatre Missile Defence) protecting a strategic asset from Ballistic missile attacks, like the Patriot system, whose latest version PAC-3 has proved itself in tests.
The Ballistic Missile attacks can be very successful if there is no defence against them, like in our case. A Ballistic missile defence system may not be able to intercept all ballistic missiles fired upon a target but it is also very difficult to launch many ballistic missiles together on a single target due to many reasons.
No one can guarantee the safety of mobile Ballistic missile launchers.
During war, it will be the highest priority of PAF & IAF to search and destroy the mobile launchers of each other like it was the duty of F-16s and other strike aircraft during Operation Desert Storm with surveillance provided by recce planes, UAVs and satellites. The UAVs are capable of providing real-time surveillance. Therefore, air force planes may hunt some of the launchers. It will thus be very unwise both for India and Pakistan to bring many launchers together for launching a salvo of Ballistic missiles.
Out of the remaining launchers, it will be difficult to make about 10 or so missile launchers ready at the same time, due to technical and maintenance problems, keeping in view the complex nature of a ballistic missile. Sometimes the situation may not permit to erect and launch a missile, such as air attack or unfavourable weather conditions.
At last, if one or two missiles are fired on a target, which is defended by a modern ATBM system, then these missiles can be intercepted. These are the reasons that many countries are pursuing ABM systems.

FUTURE PLANS FOR ABM DEFENCE
India is acquiring Russian and Israeli ATBM (Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile) systems like Antey-2500, which is an improved version of S-300V system. It is effective against Ballistic Missiles of ranges up to 2,500 km with a velocity of up to 4.5 km/s. Antey-2500 missiles will be integrated with Israeli Elta Green Pine radars. India has already leased S-300PMU for training purposes. It is also pursuing its own SAM system called Akash with Rajendra radar. Although many tests of the system failed but the programme is still under development. China has also acquired S-300 system from Russia and is working on several SAM systems.
Iran modified the US supplied HAWK SAM for air-to-air role on its F-14 Tomcats. We can also launch our own programme with help from China. Another possibility may be that Pakistan, Iran and China should start a joint ATBM project.
The NESCOM setup can pursue a project in collaboration with the above friendly countries to develop a medium to long-range SAM system (which includes the missile itself and associated radars) capable of intercepting both the air-breathing targets and Ballistic Missiles. Its detection range must be at least 300 kms and engagement range of at least 50-40 km. The SAM system should fire two types of missiles, one for long-to-medium range engagements and other for medium-to-short range engagements, with overlapping region in between.ECCM features must be incorporated right into the design. A start can be taken by designing a medium-range SAM system only against air-breathing targets
(aircraft and cruise missiles).
USA, Russia and Israel are all working on ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) systems. US is pursuing ABL (Air-Borne laser), THAAD (Theatre High Altitude AD) etc, Israel is pursuing Arrow programme and lastly comes the ultimate S-400 multi-layered, multi-missile air defence system of Russia. In future, India may acquire these systems from aforesaid countries but Pakistan may not be able to do so.Therefore, to maintain a balance of power and a strong air defence, we shall have to do it ourselves.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The author is a Mechanical Engineer and graduate in International Relations & Economics with deep interest in military technology, operations and history.

PAF team leaves for China to participate in air show

ISLAMABAD (November 10, 2010) : PAF contingent comprising JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft and the Sherdils formation aerobatics team along with pilots and technicians departed for China on Tuesday to participate in the forthcoming 8th International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition at Zhuhai, China from 16-21 November, 2010.

The PAF Sherdils formation aerobatics team comprising nine K-8 aircraft would perform aerial display during the air show. This is for the first time that nine ship PAF Sherdil formation aerobatic team would perform in any international event of this stature. Three indigenously manufactured JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft would also be on aerial/static display at the exhibition. Some prominent defence companies like Boeing, Airbus, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce etc will also be participating in the exhibition. Red Eagles Aerobatic team from USA and ASB aerobatic team from UK have also confirmed their participation.

PAF team to take part in China aviation exhibition

ISLAMABAD: A PAF contingent, comprising JF-17 Thunder fighter aircrafts and the Sherdil formation aerobatics team, departed for China to participate in the forthcoming 8th International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition at Zhuhai from November 16 to 21.

The PAF Sherdil aerobatics team comprising nine K-8 aircrafts would perform aerial display during the air show. This is for the first time that PAF Sherdil formation aerobatic team would perform in any international event of this nature.

Three indigenously manufactured JF-17 Thunder fighter aircrafts would also be on aerial/static display at the exhibition. World famous exhibitors like Boeing, Airbus, Honeywell, Rolls-Royce etc will also be participating in the exhibition.

Red Eagles aerobatic team from USA and ASB aerobatic team from UK have also confirmed their participation in the exhibition.

President Obama likely to have refueling halt in Pakistan enroute to Mumbai?

Highly placed sources in Washington have revealed that United States President Barack Obama is likely to stop over for a few hours in Pakistan on his way to India.

While Obama had announced that he would be visiting Pakistan in 2011, sources said that the pressure on the President by Pakistan for a brief stop-over was very intense and possibilities of his stopping to have a meeting solely on anti-terrorism operations could not be ruled out.

This brief stop over termed as a "refueling halt" would follow a quick hop in Kabul enroute to Mumbai on November 5.

Sources however clarified that this plan would be subject to the security environment in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

If American security agencies in Pakistan give a go ahead then the stop over which could even be a refueling halt, could be considered where President Obama would meet with President Zardari aboard Air Force One, the US Presidential Aircraft? It is unlikely that he will proceed to Islamabad which is just a 20 minute drive.

The Chaklala Airforce base where Air Force One might land is near the garrison town of Rawalpindi and is often dubbed the Andrews Air Force Base of Pakistan.

Various scenarios are being worked out and the possible stop over is being kept highly hush hush.

Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kiyani and intelligence chief General Shuja Pasha have been taken into confidence and President Zardari is on standby for a dash to the airport in the scenario that POTUS (president of the United States) might call on the front line ally.

Bagram Air force base, a militarized airport in Afghanistan in American control is being kept ready for a brief stop over too. If Air Force One lands here on November 5th President Karzai will meet President Obama at the airstrip which is just 27 miles from the capital, Kabul.

There were differing views in the White House ever since the India visit was planned. While one section believed that the India Pakistan hyphenation should continue as it gave Pakistan, a major US ally in the War on Terror, a fig leaf cover, the majority prevailing view was that it was time to delink US India relations from Pakistan.

The strategic community in the US is also largely of the opinion that India has moved beyond the restricting parameters of its South Asian neighbourhood, more comparable to its East Asian neighbours. Equating it with failed and failing nations like Pakistan and Afghanistan constricts the scope of American interaction with India.

It might be recalled that in 2000 President Bill Clinton had stopped for five hours in Pakistan on his way out from India using decoy aircraft to land there.

He addressed the people in Pakistan via PTV and had a very terse exchange with then President Pervez Musharraf. Then too, the brief Pakistan stopover had been kept under wraps till POTUS landed for security reasons much to the embarrassment of Pakistanis who had observed the American President's highly successful India leg of the tour.

Clearly such a stop over will not received very well in India. The optics cannot be missed that within a few hours of visiting Pakistan, the American president will check in into the same hotel in Mumbai where Pakistani trained terrorists killed 163 innocent persons including four Americans. By Smita Prakash (ANI)

3 F-16 jets arrive from US

ISLAMABAD: Second batch of three F-16 C/D Block 52 aircraft arrived at the PAF Base, Shahbaz (Jacobabad) on Saturday, whereas two more would arrive during the next week. Brigadier General Michael Nagata, deputy commander, Office of Defence Representative in Pakistan handed over the aircraft on behalf of the US government to Air Marshal Muhammad Hasan, deputy chief of the Air Staff (Operations). Pakistan had signed a contract with the US government in 2005-06 for the acquisition of 18 F-16 C/D Block 52 aircraft. Under this arrangement, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would receive these state-of-the-art aircraft from the US in staggered batches. In this connection, the first batch of three similar aircraft arrived in Pakistan in May 2010. The deliveries of the rest of the aircraft would be completed by December 2010. The F-16 C/D aircraft is a high tech fighter aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art avionics suite and latest weapons with Night Precision Attack capability. These aircraft are part of the bid by PAF to modernise and enhance its air defence capabilities.

PAF fully capable of defending aerial frontiers of Pakistan: General Wynne - APP

PESHAWAR Oct 28 : General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee said on Thursday that PAF remains a potent force, fully capable of defending the aerial frontiers of Pakistan.The innovations carried out by PAF leadership have enabled it to make very meaningful contributions in the success of land forces in their fight against terrorism.General Khalid Shameem Wynne, CJCSC said this while addressing the Graduation Ceremony held at Pakistan Air Force Academy Risalpur as chief guest.



Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was also present on the occasion.
Addressing the Graduating Airmen, General Wynne said that, “Today Pakistan is facing the aftermath of catastrophic floods, which in its wake has brought bereavement and devastation, surpassing records of last hundred years.
Pakistan Air Force has once again come on the forefront in collaboration with Pak Army and Navy for flood relief and rehabilitation efforts, he maintained.
On his arrival at the parade ground, General Salute was presented to General Khalid Shameem Wynne by the Aviation Cadets.
Later, the Chief Guest reviewed the parade and presented Qaid-e-Azam Banner to No 3 Squadron, the new Champion Squadron. This was followed by award of flying badges and branch insignias to graduating officers and aviation cadets.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee’s trophy for best performance in General service training in College of Aeronautical Engineering was awarded to Pilot Officer Husham Muhammad, while Pilot Officer Salman Shair lifted Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee’s Trophy for Best Performance in General Service Training in College of Flying Training.
Chief of the Air Staff’s Trophy for best performance in Engineering Discipline was awarded to Pilot Officer Adeel Anwar, while Pilot Officer Ali Hassan lifted Chief of the Air Staff trophy for best performance in flying.
The coveted Sword of honor for best all round performance in College of Aeronautical Engineering was awarded to Pilot Officer Adeel Anwar, while Pilot Officer Salman Shair won Sword of Honour for best all round performance in College of Flying Training.
In Air Defence branch, Aviation Cadet Sharjeel Ahmed received best performance trophy and in A&SD branch, Aviation Cadet Naveed Umar was awarded best performance trophy. Significant event of the ceremony was the formation aerobatics performed by “SHERDIL” formation of nine K-8 Jet Trainer aircraft.
At the end of the ceremony, cadets of PAF Academy displayed aerobatics on Para Motor Gliders.
Parents and relatives of graduating cadets, senior civil and military officials were also present on the occasion.
Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur imparts training not only to aviation cadets of Pakistan Air Force but also to the friendly countries and sister services.

Pakistan air force pounds militant hideouts, 13 killed

Pakistani fighter aircraft on Saturday targeted alleged militants in northwestern tribal region, killing at least 13, officials said. The airstrikes were carried out in Maomazai area of Orakzai district, one of seven tribal regions, and a known hotbed of Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters. A security official said on the condition of anonymity that air power was mobilised after an attack against a military vehicle in the area on Friday.

"Yes, the jets have hit the militants hideouts and our information shows that at least 13 miscreants have been eliminated in the targeted strikes," he said.

On Friday, a roadside bomb hit a Frontier Corps vehicle in the restive region, killing one officer and five soldiers. Three troops were also injured.

Khalid Khan Omarzai, senior civilian administrator in neighbouring Kohat district, confirmed the airstrikes but did not confirm the death toll.

"They have suffered losses in the air attacks but I cannot give you the exact figure of their deaths," he said by phone.

Pakistan troops launched an offensive against the militants in Orakzai in March to uproot Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters.

3 PAF air commodores promoted

ISLAMABAD: Air commodores Saeed Muhammad Khan, Javaid Ahmed and Sohail Ahmad have been promoted to the rank of air vice marshal.

Saeed Muhammad Khan has served as an assistant chief of Air Staff Administration at the Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

Javaid Ahmed is serving as an assistant chief of Air Staff Plans at the Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

Sohail Ahmad is serving as assistant chief of Air Staff Development at the Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

PAF expects 4 new trainer aircraft this month

Air Force officers who have yet to take actual flying courses may have their chance soon with the expected delivery of four new aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) this month.

The four SF-260F Marchetti will be a boost to the training capability of the Air Force, which has only about 20 trainer aircraft in its inventory at present, said PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol on Sunday.

“Hopefully this month, four will be delivered …We are still waiting for the final word on when this will be received," Okol said.

The four aircraft is part of the 18 propeller-type aircraft that PAF is acquiring from Italy through the military’s modernization program. The 14 other units, Okol said, will be delivered in the coming months.

Lack in trainer aircraft has caused at least 150 to 170 Air Force officers to line up for an actual flying course. Prior to their formal commissioning into PAF, these officers are only exposed to simulators and given education on aerodynamics and other flight-related lessons.

After entering the Air Force, Okol said these officers wait their turn for the actual flying course. While waiting, they take up courses on various fields, including aircraft maintenance and logistics while some enroll in intelligence course.

“Some are into intelligence, some already have in-depth skills on computers, radars, maintenance. Some become logistics officers and they become well-rounded. So their time while waiting (for flying course) is not wasted," Okol said.

Okol said the arrival of the four aircraft “would start the phasing in of officers and this will speed up the process, this would definitely speed up the process."

Air force seeks expansion of Nyoma airfield in Ladakh - DNA

Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent a proposal to the ministry of defence (MoD) seeking permission to expand the airfield at Nyoma, south-east of Leh, so that it can operate fighter jets from a high altitude.
If approved, it plans to make the expanded airfield fully functional in the next four years.

IAF mooted the idea after defence minister AK Antony visited the advanced landing ground (ALG) in June this year.

The Nyoma ALG, which was activated in September 2009, is at an altitude of 13,300 feet and has landing facilities for helicopters such as Mi-17 and transport aircraft such as An-32.

Just 40km from the China border, Nyoma has a compact airstrip. The runway needs an extension of at least 12,000 feet with a hard surface to enable fighters such as Sukhoi-30 and MiGs to land.

Nyoma was reactivated along with seven other defunct airfields. Its reactivation followed that of Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) and Fukche in Ladakh, which were made operational in 2009. DBO is the highest airfield in the world at an altitude of 16,200 feet.

In the run-up to the 78th Air Force Day, Air Marshal NAK Browne, air officer commanding-in-chief (AOC-in-C) of the Delhi-based Western Air Command, the sword arm of IAF, said on Friday, “There are no plans to extend the other ALGs in Ladakh — DBO and Fukche — due to limitations and challenges. When we look at the development of a base we should be able to operate each platform of IAF and the army, which includes fighters.”

Chushul, another ALG in Ladakh, will also not be extended since it is only 5km from the Chinese border.

Earlier, IAF has operated fighters such as Sukhoi-30 and Mig-29 from Leh and Thoise, both of which are at an altitude of 10,500 feet.

These airstrips have loose gravel ground and due to inclement weather and rough terrain work can be carried out for only seven months in a year, which may delay their expansion up to four years.

Browne said, “The expansion includes making a hard surface runway, infrastructure, re-fuelling, safety and air traffic control facilities. Most IAF fighters are designed to operate at a high altitude.”
Western is the largest command of IAF extending from Rajasthan to Siachen and 11 of its 18 air bases are fighter bases.

Browne also said the gap between the air forces of India and Pakistan was reducing, both in terms of numbers and capability, due to the help the US and China were extending to Islamabad in terms of fighter aircraft, missiles, and sensors.

“Pakistan Air Force [PAF] is the most modernised among the neighbour’s three services. It was modernised systematically since 2005. The US and China assisted Pakistan to come up as a fairly potent force. The new F-16s sold to Pakistan by the US are a challenge to IAF,” he said.

PAF has 21 fighter squadrons as compared to IAF’s 32.

Pakistan Begins Domestic Fighter Avionics Production

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan said it has commenced domestic production of avionics for the Sino-Pak JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft.

The announcement came May 28 at a ceremony attended by Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, just outside Islamabad.
To date, the majority of avionics produced in Pakistan have been manufactured under license from foreign companies, most notably Selex Galileo radars for the Air Force's Mirage III and F-7P Fishbed fighters. However, this looks set to change.

During the May 28 ceremony, the PAC's chairman, Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan, outlined the JF-17 avionics, in which he stated, "four indigenously designed and developed avionics systems were also being produced," and that the "production scope would be progressively broadened to include the production of a complete JF-17 avionics suite at the complex."

Officials at PAC could not provide any details on the announcement, and Air Force officials declined to answer any queries.

It is believed, however, that at least two of the domestically designed and produced systems include a head-up display and a weapons and mission management computer.

Past indigenous avionics projects have included a radar homing system in the 1960s for the F-104 fighter jet; an IRST pod and modifications to the GEC 956 HUD (Head Up Display); and the HUDWAC (HUD Weapon Aiming Computer) for the F-7P in the 1990s.

Efforts to sustain avionics design in Pakistan have not succeeded.

Retired Air Commodore Kaiser Tufail said he believes the reason is because it has "not been a viable proposition so far."

However, large-scale indigenous production of the JF-17 and potential export sales mean such a move is now more economically viable, he said.

Tufai said the Air Force has the potential to succeed because it has "a very large pool of highly qualified avionics engineers at the bachelor's, master's and even doctorate level, both serving and retired."

If that potential does result in a focused effort, "the next decade may well see Pakistan establish itself as one of the leading Asia-Pacific producers of avionics hardware and software," he said.

Jordanian Air Force commander visit to Pakistan. He also check PAF JF-17 Thunder.

Islamabad—Major General Malek Salameh Habashneh, Commander Royal Jordanian Air Force, visited Air Headquarters during an official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, on Monday.

On his arrival at Air Headquarters, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented the Guard of Honour. The distinguished guest also paid homage to the martyrs of PAF by laying floral wreath on Martyrs’ Monument. Major General Malek Salameh Habashneh also called on Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman. Both remained together for some time and discussed matters of professional interest. The distinguished guest also attended a briefing on the organization, role and functioning of PAF.

Later, the delegation visited Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra. On arrival Major General Malek Salameh Habashneh, was received by the Chairman, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board Kamra Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan. The delegation was given a detailed briefing on the activities of PAC. The team visited different areas of the PAC. The delegation showed keen interest in the areas of mutual cooperation. During the visit of factories, the respective managing directors explained the different processes involved in the rebuild of life exhausted aircraft. The guests also saw the indigenously built JF-17 Thunder aircraft, which is being manufactured by Aircraft Manufacturing Factory. Commander Royal Jordanian Air Force visits Air Headquarters Abdul Qayyum Chaudhry

Gen Beg demands right for Pak Air Force to shoot down ISAF copters, drones - ANI

Former Pakistani army chief, General Mirza Aslam Beg, has criticised the government for involving Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in the conflict between the executive and the judiciary, and also demanded that the Pakistan Air Force should be given the task to shoot down ISAF helicopters and drones involved in attacks in the county's territories.

The Nation quoted Gen Beg as saying that the army chief was not supposed to be part of the statement issued after the meeting.

"This was a prohibited area for him. The president and the prime minister had involved the army chief in a matter from which he was supposed to keep away," he added.

Referring to the implementation of the Supreme Court's verdict on the National Reconciliation Ordinance as a matter between the judiciary and the government, he added: "The government has set a very bad precedent - in fact done a disservice by sucking in the army chief in a field which was not his domain".

He said it appeared that the government was trying to make the army a party to the dispute.

Gen Beg further said that the meeting that took place on Monday had quite different implications as it took place on a day when the Supreme Court was hearing a case of the government's failure in an attempt to urge the Swiss authorities to re-open President Asif Ali Zardari's money laundering case.

The case was earlier closed on the basis of an unauthorised communication sent by the previous government.

Army stun defending champions KRL in PPFL

KARACHI: Afghan FC and Army earned victories while Pakistan Air Force (PAF) held Navy to a draw as Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) again kept away from Balochistan to let their opponents Baloch FC earn a walkover against them in the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) on Sunday afternoon.
Afghan FC beat Habib Bank Limited (HBL) 1-0 at the Jamal Nasir Stadium in Chaman. The all-important goal was scored by midfielder Abdul Hadi in the 52nd minute.

There were two matches played at the Municipal Stadium in Rawalpindi. The opening game, which kicked off at 1.30pm, saw PAF and Navy playing a goalless draw.

The following match between defending champions Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and Army was an upset as the former went down 0-2.

The goals for Army were scored by Ansar Abbas (15th min) and Sharjeel Vicky (75th min). It was KRL’s first defeat in the current edition of the grand league.

Meanwhile, the same scenario was repeated at the Nushki Stadium in Nushki as SSGC once again refused to travel to Balochistan. This time they allowed Baloch FC to take three precious points.

Panic grips cantonment city after fuel tanker blast

M Zulqernain Lahore, Sept 23 (PTI) Panic gripped the cantonment city of Sargodha, which hosts Pakistan's largest air base, today after the fuel tank of a fighter jet burst at an airport.The powerful blast was heard across Sargodha, located 70 km from Lahore, shortly before 8 pm. It created panic among local residents, who rushed home. All markets and shops too closed down.Officials later said the fuel tank of a fighter jet had burst at the Pakistan Air Force base in Sargodha. It could not immediately be ascertained whether the incident occurred while the jet was taking off or on the ground. "It is not a bomb blast. The fuel tank of a fighter jet burst and there were no casualties or damage to property," a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity. Earlier, TV news channels reported that the blast was heard in Tariqabad area within the cantonment in Sargodha in Punjab province. Rescue teams and ambulances rushed to Tariqabad, the channels reported.

GC meeting of Ski Federation held

General Council Meeting (GCM) of Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP) was held at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Patron-in-Chief of SFP and Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, Air Marshal Hifazat Ullah Khan, President SFP graced the occasion with their presence. Besides representatives of the affiliated associations and departments from all over the country, the GCM was also attended by Mrs Nasreen Akhtar Chaudhry, Chairman, National Assembly Standing Committee on Law & Justice on behalf of Chairman, National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports.

In his address, the CAS assured that PAF would continue to extend full support to SFP for its future endeavours towards promotion of the ski sport. He lauded the outgoing President SFP for his vision and foresight that enabled the Ski Federation to initiate a record number of skiing infrastructure development projects in the last couple of years.

The recent distinctions earned by SFP include historical participation in Winter Olympic Games’2010 as well as winning of award and Prize-money of 5,000/- Swiss Francs in a competition held under FIS SnowKids Award 2010 where its project on promotion of skiing in Pakistan was selected as world’s top-eight ski-related projects. President SFP also awarded Rs.100,000/- to Mr Muhammad Abbas for his successful participation in Winter Olympics 2010 held in Vancouver-Whistler, Canada.

Army earn win over PAF

Lahore—Pakistan Air Force ambition of completing double over Pakistan Army in Pakistan Premier Football League failed to materialize as soldiers earned revengeful 3-1 win over airmen at Peshawar’s Qayyum Stadium on Thursday.

In other match on Thursday, KRL drew Navy 1-1 at Municipal Stadium, Rawalpindi,said the information made available here.

Army who suffered 0-1 defeat at the hands of PAF on the opening day, took sweet revenge within eight days with a fine win in the second leg between the two teams.

Their star performer was Muhammad Ikram who recently joined four times former national Champion. He shattered the defence of rival team with two sparkling goals in the 36th and 42nd minutes, leaving ageing keeper Khalid Khan stranded on both occasions. Army led 2-0 at interval and they enhanced the lead further through Muhammad Imran who slipped the ball past keeper in the 49th minute to make it 3-0.

PAF struck honour-saving goal through Muhammad Zeeshan who slammed the ball past keeper Mehmood Ahmed, playing instead of Jaffar Khan as first-choice Jaffar is in National U23 Tram Camp at Lahore.

Commander Royal Jordanian Air Force visits Air Headquarters

Islamabad—Major General Malek Salameh Habashneh, Commander Royal Jordanian Air Force, visited Air Headquarters during an official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, on Monday.

On his arrival at Air Headquarters, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented the Guard of Honour. The distinguished guest also paid homage to the martyrs of PAF by laying floral wreath on Martyrs’ Monument. Major General Malek Salameh Habashneh also called on Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman. Both remained together for some time and discussed matters of professional interest. The distinguished guest also attended a briefing on the organization, role and functioning of PAF.

Later, the delegation visited Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra. On arrival Major General Malek Salameh Habashneh, was received by the Chairman, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Board Kamra Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan. The delegation was given a detailed briefing on the activities of PAC. The team visited different areas of the PAC. The delegation showed keen interest in the areas of mutual cooperation. During the visit of factories, the respective managing directors explained the different processes involved in the rebuild of life exhausted aircraft. The guests also saw the indigenously built JF-17 Thunder aircraft, which is being manufactured by Aircraft Manufacturing Factory.

PM lauds PAF’s flood relief activities

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday lauded the role of Pakistan Air Force in the relief and rescue operations ever since the devastating floods hit different parts of the country. Talking to the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman who called on him at the PM’s House, the Prime Minister said the contributions made by PAF to help the flood affected people reflected the commitment of officers and jawans to stand up to any challenge.



The task of rehabilitation and reconstruction, the Prime Minister said, is equally challenging for which all segments of the society as well as organizations will have to play an active role with the same spirit as shown in the early recovery stage of relief and rescue.
Earlier, the Air Chief apprised the Prime Minister of the details of the relief and rescue operations conducted by PAF in the flood affected areas.
He mentioned that the PAF officers and jawans rescued more than 17,000 people and disbursed food and relief goods through 1700 sorties of C130s and helicopters in a period of seven weeks.
He said that PAF established six flood relief camps in different parts of the country accommodating over 20000 flood affectees.
The medical camps set up by PAF, he said, treated more than 45,000 patients suffering from various diseases.
He said the officers and jawans of PAF contributed Rs 28 million to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund by donating one day salary.
The Air Chief informed the Prime Minister that because of floods, the Jacobabad Air Base was closed for three days for repairs.
During this period, around 2000 employees had to be shifted to nearby Air Bases while 200 were stationed to look after the repair work. The officials have since returned back to the Base to perform their duties to manage the technical facilities.
The Air Chief apprised the Prime Minister that the envisaged plan for establishing an Air University in Southern Punjab would soon be implemented. The University, he said, would cater for MBA, Computer Science and Aeronautical Engineering Degree classes.
He thanked the Prime Minister for providing Rs 10 million last year for this project as well as his assurance for provision of the remaining amount during the current financial year.
The Air Chief also discussed matters relating to PAF particularly regarding the Prime Minister’s forthcoming visits to France and Belgium.

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