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PAF News and Articles 2011

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We want peace with honour and dignity: ACM Qamar Suleman
January 3, 2011

KARACHI: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman has said that Pakistan wants peace with all of its neighbours with honour and dignity.

“Our desire for peace must not be construed as a sign of weakness. In fact, it is reflective of our confidence to effectively safeguard our national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Aggression of any kind from any side would be met with full force by the armed forces of Pakistan,” said the air chief while addressing the 94th Officer Commissioning Parade of the Pakistan Navy held at the Naval Academy here on Monday.

He said the geo-political situation had undergone radical changes, especially over the past few years. “Pakistan today stands committed to the war against terrorism alongside the international community,” he said.

Air Chief Marshal Suleman commended the participation of the Pakistan Navy in the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (CMCP). He said that the opportunity to command Combined Task Force-150, a combined naval task force against international terrorism, four times by the PN was a testimony to its professional excellence.

He added that the navy had been entrusted with the command of Combined Task Forceñ151 in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin to deter and disrupt piracy for the benefit of all nations.

Appreciating the presence of a good proportion of female cadets on the parade ground, the air chief said that it was heartening to see that women were also being trained at the Naval Academy. This, he said, reflected the Quaid-e-Azam’s vision to provide women with an equal instrumental role to play in defence and development of the country.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the commandant, Pakistan Naval Academy, Commodore Ayaz Ahmed Nasir, highlighted the salient features of officers’ training.

He said that a total of 61 officers were passing out after rigorous training. He said the PNA was privileged to train cadets from brotherly countries of Kazakhstan, Maldives, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Turkmenistan.

On his arrival, the chief guest was received by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir. Thereafter, Air Chief Marshall Suleman inspected the platoons of the newly-commissioned officers and reviewed the parade.

Later, the chief guest awarded prizes to the winners. Midshipman Muhammad Bill Asif was given the Sword of Honour for his best performance. Academy’s Dirk went to Midshipmen Owais Ahmed Khan while Lieutenant Shahab Hussain and Cadet Zeeshan Javed clinched the Quaid-e-Azam and the Chairman, Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gold medals, respectively. Main Top squadron was the recipient of the proficiency banner.

After a splendid march past of the naval cadets, an oath-taking ceremony was held. Among the batch of naval cadets who were commissioned into the Pakistan Navy, 11 were women naval officers.

At the end, the newly commissioned officers were presented a salute by two Z9EC helicopters and a frigate class ship, which sailed in front of the academy.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior officials from all three services, foreign diplomats and parents of the cadets.

Havelsan exports 1st electronic warfare test & training range to Pakistan
January 5, 2011

Pakistan’s Electronic Warfare Test and Training Range (EWTTR) ceremony was conducted on January 6, 2011, Turkish defence company Havelsan reported in an electronic press release on Wednesday.

Ceremony took place in the presence of Pakistan Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshall Rao Qamar Suleman, Deputy Commander of Pakistan Air Force Air Marshall Muhammad Hassan, Undersecretary of Turkish Defense Industry Murad Bayar, General Manager of Turkish Armed Forces Foundation Hayrettin Uzun, HAVELSAN Chairman of the Board Rasim Arslan, Deputy Undersecretary of National Defense Major General Nihat Kökmen, HAVELSAN General Manager Dr. Faruk A. Yarman, Head of International Cooperation of SSM Lütfi Varoglu and other senior officials in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Havelsan had already delivered the Electronic Warfare Test and Training Range System to Pakistan Air Force earlier in 2010. In July 2010 acceptance tests were successfully completed and the guarantee period was started.

EWTTR provides fully instrumented and integrated, near-real threat environment for all types of Electronic Warfare System Test and Pilot Training. Havelsan provides turn-key, original solutions to all Electronic Warfare Range needs and requirements.

EWTTR has been designed and implemented by Havelsan with no foreign licenses or support acquisition. EWTTR was delivered to the Turkish Airforce in 1999 and succesfully operated by Havelsan.

EWTTR features are:

* Various fully instrumented and integrated actual weapons systems,
* Various threat emitter simulators,
* Entirely modular structures,
* All weapon systems in the EWTTR offer the following in real-time : Data Collection, Data Recording, Visualization in 3D environment, Artillery and Missile Simulation,
* Various post-flight evaluation reports,
* Continuous development capability based on the needs and requirements.

Source: TrDefence



Pakistan negotiating Shadow 200 drone deal with US
January 7, 2011


Shadow 200 drone

WASHINGTON: Pakistan is still negotiating a deal with the United States to acquire its own fleet of surveillance drones, and hopes to get six systems of the aircraft, diplomatic sources told Dawn.

The drone system that the two countries are negotiating about is known as Shadow-200 and is currently used by the US Navy and the Marine Corps. It is launched from a trailer-mounted pneumatic catapult and is recovered with the aid of arresting gear similar to jets on an aircraft carrier.

It is equipped with an infrared camera which relays real time videos to a ground control station. It is a surveillance aircraft and is not equipped with weapons attached to the drones the Americans use to target militants in Fata.

Pakistan originally wanted weapon-equipped drones but the Americans turned down the request, saying that so far they had not shared this technology with any other nation.

The sources who spoke to Dawn said that Pakistan was still demanding “regular drones with onboard weapons and longer surveillance range”.

The Shadow-200 system includes a ground station and four ‘birds’ commonly known as drones and costs about $40 million. It takes about 36 to 48 months to deliver a system.

The sources said Pakistan had reservations about both the quoted price and the time it took to deliver a system.

“By the time we receive them it will be too late to use them against the militants we need to subdue,” said one such source.

Pakistani negotiators, while complaining about the long delivery wait, said they realised that the procedures involved did not allow speedy delivery. “There’s need for congressional approvals, then there is a cumbersome contracting system and legal wrangles involved in the approval of funds,” said one diplomatic source.

The money will come from either the Pakistan Counter-Insurgency Fund or the Foreign Military Finances.

“We are still working out the details for purchasing about half a dozen Shadow-200 systems,” the source said.

The offer to sell Shadow-200 drones was made by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates during a trip to Islamabad in January 2010.

A US military official in Islamabad told Reuters news agency that Washington was still working with Pakistan to decide what pilotless drone system its army needed.

The Pakistani official said the United States quoted a price well above market value for the surveillance drones and was stipulating that it might take up to three years for delivery.

Source: Dawn

PAF's latest Excercise with Royal Saudi Air Force. Its was great. Happenned in Taif Saudi Arabia. I live there . i Often heard the paki MIrages n F 16;'s pass... n during the last day of the excercise. i met the pilots there on a farewell function. they were all so happy to see pakistani people. they talked to Us and showed us pictures. gave us autographs too.
the 25th and 11th squadron was there...

PAF hands over houses to flood victims in Mianwali
January 11, 2011

ISLAMABAD: As a part of the Pakistan Air Force’s rehabilitation plan for the flood affectees, newly constructed houses were handed over to their owners in the Daud Khel area of Distt Mianwali.

On the directive of the chief of the air staff, the PAF is constructing over 650 houses in all four provinces of the country. The project is to be completed by the end of February.

PAF’s rehabilitation plan for flood affectees commenced simultaneously in Charsadda and Nowshera in KP, Mianwali in Punjab, Jacobabad in Sindh and Balochistan on December 5. The handing over ceremony in Mianwali marks the continuation of the third phase of a comprehensive PAF plan to assist the flood affectees. Similar ceremonies will be held at Peshawar, Risalpur and Jacobabad by regional air commands within the next few days.

With the onset of floods in the country, PAF rescued the stranded flood affectees and provided them with relief goods in Phase-I, subsequently in Phase-II, it relocated and looked after the affectees in flood relief camps established by PAF at Sukkur, Bakhtiarabad, Mianwali, Pir Pathu, Jacobabad and PAF Academy Risalpur.

Presently, in Phase-III, PAF has launched a rehabilitation plan in which free of cost houses and household items are being provided to the flood affectees. These are under various stages of construction. The chief of the air staff considers this as a small contribution of the PAF for our countrymen and women who have been affected by the natural disaster.

Air Marshal Waseemuddin, the deputy chief of the air staff (Administration), Pakistan Air Force along with other senior PAF airmen were present at the handing over ceremony.

Source: Dailytimes

Air Commodores Hamid Shahab Hashmi and Arshad Khan promoted to AVM
January 12, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Two senior officers of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) including Air Commodores Hamid Shahab Hashmi and Arshad Khan have been promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal.

Air Vice Marshal Hamid Shahab Hashmi was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force in 1981 in Engg Branch. Currently, he is serving as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training of Airmen / Civilians) at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

He is recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military).

Air Vice Marshal Arshad Khan was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force in 1981 in Engg Branch. Currently, he is serving as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Sensors Engineering) at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

He is recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military).

Source: The Nation

PAF marks 2010 as safest year in skies
January 14, 2011

By Iqbal Mustafa

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has declared year 2010 as a safest year. According to the insider sources it was a good year as they had not to bear any mentionable losses. Rather it was a very good year as the PAF enhanced their defensive capabilities and working capacity.

For the first time in history, PAF successfully took part in the war against terror in Swat and FATA region and remained successful by achieving the targets without any loss. PAF also targeted successfully the bunkers and hideouts and eradicated them to help the Pakistan Army for any easy conquest.

According to the sources, Pakistan already faces a threat from the Saffron dressers and for the first time Pakistan Army has tested its available weapon and in the war games named Saffron Bandit 2010. This success has surprised the many nations in the world.

It was a secret that in the past PAF was competent in emergency landing and take off in all types of geographic conditions. But now they have proved their competency in the landing and take off even on the Motorway.

Besides all these, Pakistan Air Force has not only participated in the most remarkable war exercises High Mark 2010 but also proved their worth to be the best.

PAF made possible to be one of the most modern fighter aircraft equipped with the latest technology, F-16 C/D 52 Block B and empowered the force one step above the level. PAF also embraced AWACS air spy aircrafts named SAAB to enhance the capability of targeting from air-to-air, air-to-surface and air-to-sea and to thwart the crook moves of the enemies.

The authorities of the Pakistan Air Force has declared the making and successful testing of fighter aircraft JF-17 Thunder as a historic achievement. According to PAF spokesman that it is the only air force of the world, having the capability of making state of the art fighter aircraft along with the fighter pilots of best quality. Along this the world is taking a special interest in JF-17 Thunder for it’s good performance low cost maintenance and being a non-expensive aircraft cost-wise while having best qualities of a best fighter aircraft and warhead carrier and so many countries of the world showing interest in it’s purchase. JF-17 aircraft attracted the officials and made them appreciate the performance in Farnborough Air Show 2010 held in Britain and in 8th International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition China. It worth mentioning that JF 17 Thunder proved itself star of the Show.

Pakistan Air Force not only proved its worth in the war fields but also displayed good performance during the calamities and helped the flood victims to win hearts of the masses and made history. The PAF also worked in the rehabilitation services to surpass the performances of the other organizations.

Source: Dailymailnews

hey i live in jeddah...i also wanted to meee htem....you r one lucky guy........

well the function was sposored by PIS TAif..
Thank god i met them

PAF and RSAF conducting joint exercise Al Saqoor-II in Saudi Arabia
January 16, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Airforce (PAF) and Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) are conducting a joint air power employment exercise code name "Al Saqoor-II" in Saudi Arabia. The joint exercise commenced on January 6 and would be completed by 19th.

PAF contingent comprising F-16 and Mirage aircraft, while RSAF element consisting of F-15 aircraft are participating in the exercise in which air operations are being executed in near realistic environment.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, PAF visited Saudi Arabia on December 15, 2010 to meet the participating personnel of the two air forces. He also flew in a PAF F-16 to participate in the air operations.

The air chief was warmly welcomed by the Chief of the Royal Saudi Air Force, Gen Mohammad Abdullah Al-Aish. The two discussed matters of professional interest and means to further enhance co-operation between the two air forces.

The exercise will benefit both participants and hone their professional skills and further enhance existing brotherly relations between the two nations and air forces. It will also enable personnel of the two forces become familiar and come closer to each other.

Source: Brecorder

Royal Air Force Chief visits Air Headquarters
January 20, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton along with delegation visited Air Headquarters on Thursday.

On his arrival at Air Headquarters, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman received the distinguished guest, said a press release issued here.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented the Guard of Honour. After reviewing the Guard of Honour, he was introduced to Principal Staff Officers of Pakistan Air Force. The distinguished guest also paid homage to the martyrs of PAF by laying floral wreath on Martyrs’ Monument at Air Headquarters.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton also called on Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman in his office.

Both remained together for some time and discussed matters of professional interest. The delegation also attended a briefing at Air Headquarters on Pakistan Air Force.

Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force is on a three days official visit to PAF on invitation of the Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

PAF constructing 600 houses for flood victims
January 20, 2011

KARACHI: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the first phase was constructing 600 houses for the flood victims in the country.

This was stated by Air Vice Marshal Arshad Quddus, Air Officer Commanding, Southern Air Command PAF, when he called on Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, at C.M. House here on Thursday.

He discussed matters of mutual interest and informed the Chief Minister Sindh that Pakistan Air Force was constructing 600 houses in first phase for flood affected people in the country, out of which 100houses are being constructed in Sindh province.

He said that the houses with latest package are being constructed and the same will be given to the affected people.

Air Vice Marshal informed that lists of affected people are being finalized in consultation/recommendations of respective DCOs / EDOs (Revenue) of the province while notables of areas are also being coordinated.

He further informed that those houses are being constructed simultaneously across the country. He also informed that next phase will be started later.

Chief Minister Sindh appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Air Force and hoped that maximum houses will be built and provided to flood affected people.

Source: The News

Pakistan’s Falcons to Fly Five New Recce Pods
January 21, 2011

Goodrich Corporation has been awarded a US$72 million contract to equip Lockheed-Martin F-16 fighters of the Pakistan Air Force with five DB-110 dual-band (visual/IR) reconnaissance pods. The systems will be delivered with two fixed ground stations and one mobile ground station, each equipped with one datalink receiving system (a total of four ground receiving datalinks will be delivered).

The Pakistan Air Force plans to augment the new capability by establishing a ‘reconnaissance fusion center’, the current contract funds the initial study of such facility to be provided by Goodrich. The U.S. Air Force is assigning a private U.S. company to train Pakistani operators and technicians in supporting the new systems.

The Pakistani air force is already operating two similar recce pods, which will now be modified with suitable datalinks to match the new ground stations. According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency ex-U.S. Air Force F-16A/B fighters transferred to the Pakistani Air Force in 2008 were prepared to operate reconnaissance pods. No such capability was mentioned for the new F-16 Block 52 aircraft although it is likely that the pods will also be employed by these fighters.

The DB-110 operates autonomously on the F-16, controlled by the pod’s reconnaissance management system. Imagery can be viewed on the F-16’s cockpit video display, enabling the pilot to verify targets and conduct tasks such as battle damage assessment. The real-time display also gives the pilot or aircrew more flexibility selecting alternate route to a selected target or seeking out targets of opportunity.

Goodrich’s DB-110 pod has become a standard reconnaissance pod for the F-16, included in almost every new sales package of this aircraft. The pod is operational with the Polish and Hellenic NATO Air Forces, Recent sales were authorized for the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan and Oman. The pod is also operated in its original ‘Raptor’ configuration, on Tornado GR4 and Japanese P-3C maritime patrol aircraft. Saudi Arabia has also been offered 10 DB-110 pods, yet to be integrated on their F-15SA Eagle as part of the latest multi-billion shopping spree of U.S. arms.

More recently the DB-110 system has also been modified to operate on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) such as the Reaper – demonstrating the capability to operate simultaneously with other UAV sensor systems, including full motion video short range imaging payloads, radars and weapons.

Source: Defense Update

Pakistan orders DB-110 pods for F-16 fleet
January 24, 2011

By Greg Waldron

Goodrich has won a $72 million contract to provide Pakistan with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance pods and related items for its Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters.

The main component of the deal comprises five dual-band DB-110 pods, says the US Department of Defense.

According to Goodrich, the DB-110 reconnaissance sensor provides three independent optical fields of view, allowing it to perform the following ISR missions: long-range stand-off, medium-range oblique and overflight, and low-altitude direct overflight.

The deal also includes two datalink upgrades to existing pods, plus ground stations, spares, manuals, in-country installation and engineering support.

"This supports a Foreign Military Sale programme and Pakistani F-16 aircraft," says the DoD. At this time, $17.3 million of the total value has been obligated, it adds.

Pakistan is fighting Islamic insurgents in its western provinces on its border with Afghanistan, placing a premium on reconnaissance assets. The nation's air force operates F-16A/B and C/D-model aircraft.

Goodrich has previously sold the DB-110 to other F-16 operators, including Poland.

Source: Flightglobal

21 JF-17 thunder jets in final stage: ACM Rao Qamar Suleman
January 27, 2011

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman has appreciated the role of police in war against terror, a private TV reported on Thursday.

Talking to media after a ceremony in police lines Islamabad, Air Chief said that 45 F-16 fighter gets are being upgraded in Turkey. He added that new squadrons of F-16 and JF-17 thunder planes would be constituted in March.

He informed that PAF have 21 JF-17 thunder jets in final stage while nine are being manufactured.

Earlier, addressing the passing out ceremony as chief guest, Air Chief Marshal stated that sacrifices of police for the country would not go waste, adding that police and armed forces are fighting against the war on terror hand-to-hand.

He was optimistic that terrorism would be eliminated from the country.

Source: The Nation

Air Chief Rao Qamar Suleman visited PAF Base Malir
January 29, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force visited PAF Base Malir (Karachi) to inspect the Air Defence network and its ancillary units functioning in southern areas of the country.

The Air Chief lauded the operational preparedness of PAF Air Defence units.

Addressing airmen during a formal gathering, the Air Chief said, “Our important asset is our human resource and the PAF will continue to focus on its development and training.”

Qamar Suleman said the PAF would continue to look after the needs of its personnel, both in uniform as well in civilian cadres “because we believe that a satisfied human resource will give better performance”.

“The PAF will also continue to develop new capabilities and make all efforts to improve the knowledge of its human resource through education and training.

It is the duty of all Airmen to make use of the education and training imparted to them to become more efficient and effective”, he added.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan