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PAF has some defence system on its inventory, Air Marshal
December 9, 2006

KOHAT: Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Administration Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Marshal Mirza Zafar Hussain said that PAF has some highly sophisticated weapons and defence systems on its inventory.

"You are required to work with missionary zeal and utilize your professional abilities to keep this invaluable national asset in the optimal state of operational preparedness", he stated this while addressing the passing-out parade of Aero Technician and Aero Support airmen trainees here at Pre Trade Training School (PTTS) PAF Base.

The ceremony was attended by senior officers of Armed Forces, local dignitaries and the parents of passing-out airmen.

Air Marshal Mirza Zafar Hussain who was also Chief Guest on the occasion noted that only those forces become invincible and achieve ascendancy, whose men have firm faith in Almighty Allah, maintain supreme state of professional skills and remain determined in the face of heavy odds.

"You should aspire to follow the great Muslim Warriors and heroes to add new chapters of glory into our established history", he maintained. The Chief Guest reviewed the parade and awarded trophies to trainees for outstanding achievements.

The best in General Service Training trophy was awarded to Aircraftsman Wing Sergeant Khalid Kamran, while the trophies for Best in Academics and Best All Round Performance were bagged by Aircraftsman Corporal Nadeem Abbas and Aircraftsman Sergeant Mudassir Sharif respectively.

Earlier on his arrival, the Chief Guest was received by Air Commodore Hafeez Ullah Khan, Base Commander, PAF Base Kohat.

Later the Reviewing Officer addressed the Parade and felicitated the trainees and their parents and commended the efforts of Base Commander, Officer Commanding PTTS and all PTTS staff for preparing them for future challenges.

Chinese troops arrive in Pakistan for joint exercises
Dec 10, 2006

Islamabad: A contingent of Chinese troops have arrived at the Pakistan Air Force base in Chaklala near here to participate in joint exercises focussing on anti-terrorism operations, the Pakistan Army said here today.

The 'Friendship 2006' will start in Pakistan on December 11 and the 10-day-long exercises are aimed at strengthening the existing bonds of friendship between armies of the two all-weather allies.

"The exercise will be second of its nature, while the first exercise was held in China in 2004," a Pakistan Army statement said.

The focus of the exercises will be to mutually benefit from each other's experiences in planning and conducting anti-terrorism operations, it said.

It will be for the first time that troops from Peoples Liberation Army will carry out joint exercises outside China.

High level delegations from both the countries are expected to witness the joint exercises, according to the statement.

On arrival at the PAF base, the PLA delegation was received by senior Pakistan Army officers.

In a ceremony held at rear headquarters, force command northern areas, members of the PLA contingent were decorated with the insignias of exercise 'Friendship 2006.'

LOCKHEED MARTIN RECEIVES INITIAL $78 MILLION CONTRACT TO PRODUCE 18 NEW F-16S
December 11, 2006

FORT WORTH, Texas - The U.S. government has awarded an initial $78 million as part of a $144 million contract to Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] for long-lead tasks related to the production of 18 new Advanced Block 52 F-16 aircraft for Pakistan.

“This is another great day for the F-16 program and for our customer. We remain committed to providing Pakistan with the most technologically advanced and proven fighter available on the international market today,â€

Lockheed Martin Receives Initial $78 Million Contract to Produce 18 New F-16s
December 11, 2006

FORT WORTH, Texas: The U.S. government has awarded an initial $78 million as part of a $144 million contract to Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT - News) for long-lead tasks related to the production of 18 new Advanced Block 52 F-16 aircraft for Pakistan.

"This is another great day for the F-16 program and for our customer. We remain committed to providing Pakistan with the most technologically advanced and proven fighter available on the international market today," said June Shrewsbury, vice president, Lockheed Martin F-16 programs. "The F-16s we will deliver to Pakistan will join a fleet of over 4,300 aircraft representing more than 24 countries, with 51 follow-on buys, by 14 repeat customers, each who have relied on the Fighting Falcon as a key component of their national defense and fighter force structure."

Earlier this year, the governments of Pakistan and the United States signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) agreeing to the purchase of 18 Block 52 F-16s. The LOA provides Pakistan an option for an additional 18 aircraft.

The new aircraft will modernize the existing Pakistan Air Force fleet, bringing a robust and versatile defensive capability to the nation's military. The final Pakistan F-16 under this contract will be delivered in 2010.

Shrewsbury continued, "Our company and employees take great pride in producing and sustaining the F-16 for many years to come. We value our longstanding relationship with the government of Pakistan and the confidence they have placed in the F-16 in support of their nation's security."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

Lockheed Martin wins contracts of up to $400M for aircraft work
December 12, 2006

Lockheed Martin has landed two contracts worth up to $400 million to produce aircraft and one tanker for the U.S. government and Pakistan. The Bethesda-based company received an initial $128 million as part of a U.S. contract worth up to $256.2 million for production of three C-130J combat delivery aircraft for the Air Force and one KC-130J tanker for the Marine Corps.

These aircraft are slated to be ready in 2010, Lockheed Martin says. The latest contract brings the total number of C-130Js ordered to 186. In a separate program, the U.S. government awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) an initial $78 million as part of a $144 million contract for tasks related to the production of 18 new F-16 aircraft for Pakistan. The new planes will modernize the Pakistan Air Force fleet, Lockheed Martin officials say.

The final Pakistan F-16 under this contract will be delivered in 2010. "The F-16s we will deliver to Pakistan will join a fleet of over 4,300 aircraft representing more than 24 countries, with 51 follow-on buys by 14 repeat customers," says June Shrewsbury, vice president of the company's F-16 programs, in a statement.

Lockheed Martin to Produce 18 New F-16s for Pakistan
Dec 12, 2006

FORT WORTH, Texas: The U.S. government has awarded an initial $78 million as part of a $144 million contract to Lockheed Martin for long-lead tasks related to the production of 18 new Advanced Block 52 F-16 aircraft for Pakistan.

"This is another great day for the F-16 program and for our customer. We remain committed to providing Pakistan with the most technologically advanced and proven fighter available on the international market today," said June Shrewsbury, vice president, Lockheed Martin F-16 programs. "The F-16s we will deliver to Pakistan will join a fleet of over 4,300 aircraft representing more than 24 countries, with 51 follow-on buys, by 14 repeat customers, each who have relied on the Fighting Falcon as a key component of their national defense and fighter force structure."

Earlier this year, the governments of Pakistan and the United States signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) agreeing to the purchase of 18 Block 52 F-16s. The LOA provides Pakistan an option for an additional 18 aircraft.

The new aircraft will modernize the existing Pakistan Air Force fleet, bringing a robust and versatile defensive capability to the nation's military. The final Pakistan F-16 under this contract will be delivered in 2010.

Shrewsbury continued, "Our company and employees take great pride in producing and sustaining the F-16 for many years to come. We value our longstanding relationship with the government of Pakistan and the confidence they have placed in the F-16 in support of their nation's security."

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

- defencetalk

US to supply most advanced F-16s to Pak
Dec 12, 2006

WASHINGTON: The US government has awarded an initial $78 million as part of a $144 million contract to Lockheed Martin for tasks related to the production of 18 new Advanced Block 52 F-16 aircraft for Pakistan.

"This is another great day for the F-16 programme and for our customer. We remain committed to providing Pakistan with the most technologically advanced and proven fighter available on the international market today," an official said on Monday.

"The F-16s we will deliver to Pakistan will join a fleet of over 4,300 aircraft representing more than 24 countries, with 51 follow-on buys by 14 repeat customers, each who have relied on the Fighting Falcon as a key

component of their national defence and fighter force structure," said June Shrewsbury, vice president, Lockheed Martin F-16 programmes.

Earlier this year, the governments of Pakistan and the US signed a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) agreeing to the purchase of 18 Block 52 F-16s. The LOA provides Pakistan an option for an additional 18 aircraft.

The new aircraft will modernise the existing Pakistan Air Force fleet, bringing a robust and versatile defensive capability to the nation's military.

The final Pakistan F-16 under this contract will be delivered in 2010, a company release said.

December 20, 2006

KARACHI, Pakistan: A Pakistan air force jet crashed Wednesday during a routine training flight, but the pilot ejected safely and no one was injured on the ground, an official said.

The French-made Mirage aircraft crashed on the western outskirts of the port city of Karachi because of a technical fault, said Sqn. Ldr. Mohammed Qasim, a spokesman for the Pakistan air force, known as PAF. He did not give any details on the nature of the fault.

PAF officials have ordered an inquiry into the crash, he said. The Mirage jet had taken off from a military airport in Karachi.


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ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan air force fighter jet crashed on Monday during a training flight and its pilot ejected safely, an air force spokesman said.

The Mirage aircraft crashed due to a technical problem near Dera Ismail Khan, a city in the North West Frontier Province, air force spokesman Wing Cmdr Amir Zaheer said. He did not elaborate.

No damage or loss of life was reported on the ground when the jet crashed, Zaheer said.

China-Pakistan Joint Fighter-17 project needs Russian engines - Putin tending to take side with India
Dec. 24, 2006

India is quietly pursuing Moscow not to provide aircraft engines for the China-Pakistan Joint Fighter-17 project. Indian Air Force will have to down these fighters sooner or later. Pakistan has a roughly a cyclical pattern in attacking India. Whenever a military ruler has to rise to power, it must demonstrate to the Pakistani Military how string he is against India. Hatred against India is critical for controlling Pakistan Armed Forces. The Kargil war brought Musharraf into power.

The Thunder project, a 50:50 joint venture between Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, will commence in March 2007 with an initial production of 16 aircraft for Islamabad.

Russians are finally realizing that India may shift its gear completely towards American fighter aircrafts. That can be devastating for Russian manufacturers as India emerges as world’s biggest arms buyer.

Russians initially said that China will have to take their permission before exporting the engines to Pakistan. Now they realize China and Pakistan already planned a process that will avoid such requirements for permission.

India will take the matter with Russian President Putin next month when he is in New Delhi for Indian Republic Day Parade.

- Indiadaily