Pakistan Air Force [PAF] News and Discussions

SABRE

Super Moderator
Verified Defense Pro
‘Pakistan negotiating for 14 more F-16s with US’
* PAF chief says 18 F-16s with BVR missile systems to join PAF from June
* Existing F-16s will be upgraded in Turkey


ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will start getting a lot of 18 latest version F-16 fighting falcon aircrafts fitted with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile system by June this year, Chief of Air Staff Rao Qamar Suleman said on Saturday.

Briefing reporters on the on-going High Mark-2010 Exercise by PAF in collusion with the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy, the air chief said the delivery of the aircrafts to Pakistan would complete by the end of the current year.

He said, in addition to 18 F-16s, Pakistan had also been negotiating to get another lot of 14 aircraft of the same version, besides getting other modern gadgets and weapons.

“Our wish list is unending, but we are proceeding with a realistic approach,” he said, adding that JF-17 Thunder, which was developed with Chinese help, had been producing much better results than expectations.

He said the existing lot of F-16s in the PAF inventory would be upgraded to the level of Block 52 series in Turkey and the project would be completed by 2014.

When his attention was drawn towards the Indian doctrine of carrying out surgical strikes in the wake of Mumbai attacks, the PAF chief said the air force had immediately developed a strategy to counter the threat.

“Our response time during such situations is from 2 to 6 minutes from the ground,” he said, adding that said knowing the capability of the PAF, the adversary did not dare take any step.

He said the PAF had already been using Unarmed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology for reconnaissance purposes while it hardly needs to go for armed aerial vehicle.

He said the coalition forces hardly commit any violations of Pakistan’s airspace while Islamabad had always strongly protested in case of any airspace violation by coalition forces in Afghanistan. APP

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

So that makes it 42 + 18 + 14 = 74 in active service eventually?
70+ is a sensible number. However, the initial wish list back in the Bush days were 90+ F-16s (including ones in inventory).
 

Saif1

New Member
heard on news channel that France is concenred that their technology would be tranfered to China

sorry for my English
 

Saif1

New Member
Tuesday, 6 Apr, 2010 8:55 pm

PAF's firepower demo marks precise hit at enemy targets

THAL : The fighter aircraft of Pakistan Air Force Tuesday demonstrated a high level of tactical preparedness featuring speed, precision and strength, at a fire power demonstration, as part of exercise 'High Mark 2010.'

The demonstration in the midst of sand dunes of Thal by the aircraft of the PAF fleet including F-16s, JF-17 Thunder, Mirages and F-7s reverberated the entire area with huge explosions, creating mushroom clouds.

The aircraft bolted out of the blue skies, made several bombing runs and hit out mock targets depicting runways, radar sites, air defence batteries and other infrastructure.

The demonstration started with two A-5 aircraft - one carrying a National Flag and the other with a welcome banner, flew past the audience including Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, services chiefs, parliamentarians and PAF officials.

Two Mirage aircraft showcased the recently acquired aerial refuelling from the IL-76 refueller, maintaining a skilful distance of just 13-26 meters from the tanker.

Two F-16 aircraft flying at an ultra-low altitude released chaff and flares for self-defence and dropped two 2,000 pound bombs at the target, receiving a loud applause from the audience.

Four JF-17 thunder aircraft equipped with latest avionics, dropped their payload at 1,900 feet, targeting a mock hideout of militants, set up on a small hill.

In an impressive performance, a Mirage aircraft flying at extremely low altitude of 200 feet, dropped bombs at the enemy targets, while two F-16s flying at a speed of 480 knots knocked off two targets through its 2,000 pounder bombs.

Four Mirage - the Night Hawks, capable of low level penetration, allowing minimum time to the enemy and achieving surprise, dropped 5,000 pounds bombs. The weapons generated a shock wave that led to the collapse of all hardened bunkers.

The H-2 weapon - a wide-range television guided missile, was dropped by two Mirage aircraft at a mud platform, from around 60 km away from the target, thus making it possible to create a lethal and precise attack at far-off range.

The PAF's Special Service Wing demonstrated the targeting of terrorists' hideout and rescue of hostages in conjunction with the Special Services Group of the Pakistan Army.

A C-130 demonstrated container delivery operation, while the MI-17 helicopters were used to transport the anti terrorists assault force that rappelled down the hovering craft to crack down on the terrorists.

The SAAB aircraft carrying the Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW & CS) with a capability to see and scan a target 450 km distance away.

In the end, the audience were enthralled with the performance of the 'Sherdils' - the aerobatic team of PAF Academy RisalPur in K- 8 aircraft.

Emitting red and green colour fumes the team performed different maneuvers showing their precision and skill by flying in tight formations.

The entire exercise was carried out in a near real situation with an objective of depicting fighter pilots's capabilities of avoiding collateral damage and inflicting maximum damage to the enemy targets.
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umair

Peace Enforcer
What's the purpose of C-130 flying over Islamabad almost all the time?:smilie
The airlift fleet is totally based at chaklala afb, so..... Get the gist surb.
Btw was in Islamabad recently got to meet with a few relatives and friends. Got to know of some interesting developments regarding a couple of projects especially the Ak mkI (commonly known as mkII, even though mkII won't be coming out till 2017 atleast). Will update in the appropriate threads whenever I get the time.
 
A

Aussie Digger

Guest
what is the radar on these newer F16 the PAF is acquiring .... what is the range of these aircraft built for PAF ....
Google is your friend...

The F-16 Block 52 carries the APG-68v9 radar.

The F-16 has a combat radius of 360 miles on internal fuel on a hi-lo-hi mission profile carrying 3000lbs of ordnance. With external fuel carried in drop tanks and conformal fuel tanks, the range increases and it depends on the configuration of the aircraft (the more stuff an aircraft carries, the more drag is incurred and the greater the fuel burn and the lesser the range becomes), the amount of fuel carried, the flight profile flown etc as to what it's combat radius will actually be. On top of which, there is in-flight refuelling to add to the equation...

Because there are so many variables involved, asking what an F-16's range is, is a waste of time. Consider simply that the F-16 has sufficient range to meet it's required taskings or the PAF wouldn't bother operating it.

Cheers

AD
 

parvas24

New Member
I heard somewhere from inside the PAF that the F16 fighters can be launched even from small remote roads and bridges in the event of war .... I thought only Gripen NG could do that .... does such a capability really be useful during wartime as maintanence and refuelling needs to be done adequately ...........how long does it take for F16 to refuel and relaunch for a mission ? 10 mins ? 20 mins?
 

SABRE

Super Moderator
Verified Defense Pro
I heard somewhere from inside the PAF that the F16 fighters can be launched even from small remote roads and bridges in the event of war .... I thought only Gripen NG could do that .... does such a capability really be useful during wartime as maintanence and refuelling needs to be done adequately ...........how long does it take for F16 to refuel and relaunch for a mission ? 10 mins ? 20 mins?
PAF practices launch from national highways and motorways. The are longer and wider. I have seen F-7s takeoff and land on motorway but haven't seen them do this with F-16.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
I heard somewhere from inside the PAF that the F16 fighters can be launched even from small remote roads and bridges in the event of war .... I thought only Gripen NG could do that ....
aircraft which have rotated off roads : (Germany, Italy. Switzerland, Sweden)

F/A 18 A/B Hornet
Fita G91
Viggen
Draken
Gripen
F-16 B/C
Mirage III
Mirage F1
Phantom F4
L-39
F-104 Starfighter
 

kato

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Alpha Jet too. And REFORGER maneuvers in the 80s saw F-15 launching from German highways.
 

parvas24

New Member
aircraft which have rotated off roads : (Germany, Italy. Switzerland, Sweden)

F/A 18 A/B Hornet
Fita G91
Viggen
Draken
Gripen
F-16 B/C
Mirage III
Mirage F1
Phantom F4
L-39
F-104 Starfighter
Gripen is said to have a 10 mins turnaround time to land - refuel- quick aircraft systems check - reload and take off for next misson
Does the F16 have a similar timing like Gripen ? in a war this could prove critical ......
 
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