New Aircraft to be Inducted into PAF

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New aircraft to be inducted into PAF


By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, June 30: The government is considering at least four alternate options to modernise its air force through induction of new fighter aircraft as no progress is expected on securing F-16s in immediate future.

Informed sources told Dawn on Sunday that Islamabad was seriously examining alternate planes from the United Kingdom, France and Russia and Switzerland is also said to have entered the competition.

The most probable options could be purchase of Mirage 2000-5 from France given existing strong defence ties between the two countries, these sources said adding the progress was expected during the forthcoming visit of President Pervez Musharraf to Paris.

The sources said Islamabad was likely to spend $12 to 15 billion for refurbishment and modernisation of its air force over the next five years to strengthen its air defence because of growing realisation among the defence authorities that ground military strength could be neutralised without an effective air defence.

Informed sources said that Pakistan had been working hard to purchase F-16s from the United States but the information became public before a deal could be finalised and the Indian lobby prevailed upon the US administration that it was bad time to provide F-16 to Pakistan that could, they argued, derail the peace process between the two countries.

These sources said the realisation was growing among the defence authorities that Pakistan's air defence had been a neglected sector and now required at least $12-15 billion to provide an effective protection to the country. So the air force was going to get a major focus in the coming years, said these sources.

They argue that Indian military power was being geared up menacingly against Pakistan and its offensive capabilities, particularly the series of its long and medium range surface-to- surface missiles and a large fleet of combat aircraft, could create a serious threat to Pakistan's security and safety.

They said while the Indian air force had grown to the extent of becoming the fourth largest air force in the world with latest inductions of SU-30 MKIs and Jaguars, the Pakistan Air Force has been reduced to being too weak owing to non-procurement of aircraft and other air weapons since later 1980s in the wake of Pressler Amendment.

The Indian Air Force consists of nearly 1000 aircraft. Of these, nearly 770 are front line fighters whereas 140 are second line fighters and combat capable trainers.

It contains 40 Mirage 2000-5 aircraft, 40 SU-30MKI aircraft, 93 Mig-29 interceptors and 88 Anglo-French Jaguar deep-strike attack aircraft. Especially with the recent acquisition of the SU-30MKIs, the IAF has tremendously improved its qualitative standing.

On the other hand, Pakistan Air Force has only 32 F-16 aircraft and a combat strength of a little over 400 fighter aircraft. Early and immediate induction of advanced multi-role force multiplier fighters into the PAF is the most urgent national requirement which could not be delayed or postponed any longer, these sources said.

Without strong air defence, Pakistani land and naval forces would be at a serious disadvantage when attacked by numerically superior enemy force supported by a well-equipped air force.


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Musharraf, Jamali briefed on Super-7 aircraft project
Saturday August 16, 2003 (1547 PST)

ISLAMABAD, August 17 (Online): Air Chief Martial Kaleem Saadat briefed the President and Prime Minister about the Super-7 aircraft project. He told them that after the induction of this aircraft, Pak Air Force would join world's developed air powers. He also apprised them about the financial needs of Pak Air Force.

Another important meeting held between President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Saturday here at the Air Headquarters Chaklala. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Martial Kaleem Saadat was also present in the meeting.

Matters relating to further improve the performance and meet the requirements of Pak Air Force were discussed in detail in the meeting.

Both the President and Prime Minister assured the Air Chief that the government would provide every kind of financial assistance to Pak Air Force for the project. They also directed the Air Chief to speed up work on the project, sources said.

Later, the President and Prime Minister also discussed current political situation of the country and matters relating to defence and army. Some important decisions were also taken in the meeting, sources said.

PM, President assure support to meet PAF's needs

President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali have reaffirmed maximum support by the government to Pakistan Air Force's requirements of latest aircraft and equipment.

The President and Prime Minister made these remarks during a visit to the Air Headquarters, Chaklala where they were given briefing on operational preparedness, engineering aspects and "JF-17 thunder" (Super 7) aircraft project by Air Marshal Tanveer Mahmood Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff (Operations), Air Vice Marshal Iftikhar Gul, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Engineering) and Air Vice Marshal Shahid Lateef, Chief Project Director "JF-1" thunder' aircraft project, respectively.

President Musharraf and Prime Minister Jamali stated that the government was aware of the importance of air power as vital component of the country's armed forces.

They welcomed the measures that were being taken for self-reliance and the indigenous development of PAF's assets.

They said Pakistan was not involved in any arms race, but would take all possible steps to maintain minimum credible deterrence, which had been quantified in terms of comparative strength, weapon and force levels.

Earlier upon arrival, a smartly turned out contingent of the PAF presented the Guard of Honour to the President.

After reviewing the Guard of Honor, Principal Staff Officers were introduced to the President.

The President had a meeting with the Prime Minister and Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat in his office, Matters pertaining to the PAF came under discussion during the meeting.

Later, the President also witnessed display of weapons and equipment.


http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=35390
 

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Pakistan won't spur arms race: President, PM briefed on PAF


By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali said on Saturday that Pakistan was not involved in any arms race but would take all possible steps to maintain minimum credible deterrence which had been quantified in terms of comparative strength, weaponry and force levels.

They stated this during a briefing at the Air Headquarters, Chaklala, where they were informed about the medium and long-term requirements of the Pakistan Air Force.

The meeting decided to replace the existing 400 fighter aircraft of the PAF with a high-tech fleet to help meet Pakistan's defence requirements.

The meeting agreed that the existing fleet of F-16s, A-5s and F-7Ps should be replaced with the French-made Mirage 2005, Russian SU-30 and the Chinese-built JF-17 Thunder, also called Super 7.

It was decided that the existing fleet would be replaced in about a decade's time for which the government would make available all the required funding.

Sources said the participants of the meeting were of the view that Mirage 2005 was an expensive aircraft as a single plane cost $50 million but still it could very well meet the PAF requirements because of being high tech and having strong manoeuvrability.

The sources said the meeting was informed that India had already got two squadrons of SU-30 and was planning to buy another 100 aircraft of this type.

The meeting was informed that while Russia would not be averse to selling this aircraft to Pakistan, it would, however, be responsive to any opposition from India to the deal.

The president, the sources said, believed that without fulfilling the PAF demands for high-tech aircraft, it would be difficult to defend the country.

He said the government should look into these issues seriously. On this occasion, the prime minister directed the finance minister to consider the urgent requirement of the PAF.

The sources said the government could make available $2 billion to $2.5 billion immediately for the purchase of new fighter aircraft.

Primarily, the president and the prime minister were given a briefing on the operational preparedness and engineering aspects of Super 7 aircraft by senior PAF officials.

An official statement said the president and the prime minister reaffirmed maximum support to PAF's requirements of latest aircraft and equipment. They said the government was aware of the importance of air power as a vital component of the country's armed forces.

The president and the prime minister also witnessed the display of weapons and equipment.

The presentation was also attended by Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, defence secretary, finance secretary, defence production secretary and other senior officials.


http://www.dawn.com/2003/08/17/top3.htm
 
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