PAF Falcons Forums

Self-reliance in defence production must to achieve goal of progress: Prime Minister
November 23, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday said without achieving self reliance in the defence production, the goals of progress and prosperity could not be achieved. He was addressing the historic moment of marking the roll-out of the first JF-17 Thunder aircraft at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra that has been manufactured locally with Chinese cooperation.

The Prime Minister while referring to the manufacturing of JF-17 Thunder aircraft said, “It is the achievement of an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to attain self-reliance.”

He appreciated that the JF-17 programme has provided employment to about 5000 people. The Prime Minister assured full cooperation, support and patronage to the PAF in its projects. He congratulated the entire nation as JF-17 is not only a PAF programme but a national project and it will be remembered as a landmark in history of the country.

Referring to present challenges, the Prime Minister said the fast changing technology-intensive battle arena required intense involvement of air power which has emerged as a major player in conflict scenarios. He said the role of the air force also becomes vital in tackling the threat posed by the forces of extremism and militancy.

Under these circumstances, he said, a modern air force is a national requirement therefore the government has been making sincere efforts for a strong and well equipped Pakistan Air Force.

He said the PAF has repeatedly proved equal to the task even in the most challenging times, measuring up to the expectations of the nation in safeguarding the sacred soil and skies of the country.

In the recent drive against militants, PAF side by side with Pak Army is endeavouring to root out terrorism from the country, he added. The Prime Minister said, “PAF has been able to achieve, both in the form of meeting its operational requirement by co-developing a fighter aircraft and developing Pakistan’s Aviation Industry.”

He said following the example of Kamra, there should be more similar centres of excellence in other fields, to attract youth towards a more constructive approach to life that leads to a better and more prosperous future.

The Prime Minister also reiterated government’s firm resolve in eradicating ignorance, illiteracy and backwardness to carve a respectable place for the country in the comity of nations.

He expressed the commitment of the government to supporting and sponsoring all initiatives, in public and private sector, that are aimed at increasing employment opportunities, affording vocational training and offering competitive talent in the world market.

Referring to long and trust worthy relations between Pakistan and China, the Prime Minister said, “It is not trade or economics that we collaborate and cooperate for; our association and fraternal ties bind us in the everlasting embrace of friendship.”

He said, “China has always stood by us in our hour of need - its unflinching support and willingness, to go the extra-mile for Pakistan, has been a source of great strength for the people of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said there has been significant contribution by China towards the socio-economic development of the contry. Gilani thanked the Chinese friends for providing PAF the required technical assistance for the programme.

The Prime Minister said this world that is beset with divisions, anguished by extremism and burdened by the forces unleashed by globalization, the Chinese calm sagacity, futuristic thinking and willingness to stand by its friends, promised not only hope and stability but also acts as an example for others.

He also mentioned the Chinese cooperation in many other projects in the country and said it was a pride for the nation. He especially highlighted the projects including Gwadar Deep Sea Port, Karakoram Highway, Heavy Mechanical Complex, Heavy Electrical Complex and Saindak Copper Project where China is helping the country.
The Prime Minister said it was great honour for the government that the JF-17 programmes progressed well and completed in a record time.

He appreciated the efforts of the engineers and other staff for that the programme has moved into the serial production phase in a record time.

The Prime Minister said it would become the mainstay for PAF and satisfy the defence needs of the country.
He appreciated the PAF’s initiative for appreciating and putting to use the tremendous potential of Pakistan and jointly developing the industrial infrastructure.

The Prime Minister said the success of this project showed that the Pakistani nation could overcome any challenge coming in its way. The Prime Minister said the government would ensure that PAF gets all that it must have to deliver results.

- Associated Press of Pakistan

First indigenously manufactured JF-17 Thunder handed over to PAF
November 23, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday formally joined the international community of fighter aircraft manufacturers as JF-17 Thunder, the first ever multi role state of the art rolled out of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra and was included to the fleet of Pakistan Air Force. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was the chief guest at the ceremony that marked a milestone in the Sino Pak joint venture in air defence system. Senate Chairman Farooq H. Naik, Federal Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Defence Minister Ch Ahmed Mukhtar, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui, Pakistan’s ambassador to China Masood Khan and three services chiefs attended the ceremony.

The sophisticated JF-17 Thunder, painted green in the colour scheme of national flag appeared with grandeur as the Prime Minister unveiled the fighter jet before the audience. Manufactured with the cooperation of China, the event has been termed as a beginning of new era of Pak China friendship. Addressing a select gathering of local and foreign dignitaries and PAF officials, the Prime Minister said the goals of progress and prosperity could not be achieved without achieving self reliance in the defence production.

He termed the manufacturing of JF-17 Thunder aircraft as the “achievement of an important milestone” in the government’s ongoing efforts to attain self reliance.

The Prime Minister assured full cooperation, support and patronage to the PAF in its projects and congratulated the entire nation, adding the national project would be remembered as a landmark in the country’s history.
Referring to present challenges, the Prime Minister said the fast changing technology intensive battle arena required intense involvement of air power which had emerged as a major player in conflict scenarios. He said the role of air force also becomes vital in tackling the threat posed by the forces of extremism and militancy.

Under these circumstances, he said, a modern air force was a national requirement adding the government was making sincere efforts for a strong and well equipped Pakistan Air Force. He said the PAF had repeatedly proved equal to the task even in most challenging times, measuring up to the expectations of the nation in safeguarding the sacred soil and skies of the country. In the recent drive against militants, PAF side by side with Pak Army was endeavouring to root out terrorism from the country, he added.

The Prime Minister said, “The PAF has been able to achieve, both in the form of meeting its operational requirement by co developing a fighter aircraft and developing Pakistan’s Aviation Industry.”

He said following the example of Kamra, there should be more similar centres of excellence in other fields, to attract youth towards a more constructive approach to life that leads to a better and more prosperous future.
He appreciated that the JF-17 programme had provided employment to about 5,000 people.

The Prime Minister also reiterated the government’s firm resolve in eradicating ignorance, illiteracy and backwardness to carve a respectable place for the country in the comity of nations.

Referring to long and trust worthy relations between Pakistan and China, the Prime Minister said, “It is not trade or economics that we collaborate and cooperate for, but our association and fraternal ties bind us in the everlasting embrace of friendship.” He said, “China has always stood by us in our hour of need its unflinching support and willingness, to go an extra mile for Pakistan, has been a source of great strength for the people of Pakistan.”

The Prime Minister said there has been significant contribution by China towards the socio economic development of the country. Gilani thanked the Chinese friends for providing PAF the required technical assistance for the programme. The Prime Minister said the Chinese calm sagacity, futuristic thinking and willingness to stand by its friends, even in the era of terrorism and extremism promised not only hope and stability but also acted as an example for others.

He also mentioned the Chinese cooperation in many other projects in the country and said it was a pride for the nation. He especially highlighted the projects including Gwadar Deep Sea Port, Korakoram Highway, Heavy Mechanical Complex, Heavy Electrical Complex and Saindak Copper Project where China is helping the country. He lauded the PAF’s initiative for appreciating and putting to use the tremendous potential of Pakistan and jointly developing the industrial infrastructure.

Chief of the Air Staff Rao Qamar Suleman highlighted the efforts of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra in establishing itself as a hub of aviation industry. He lauded the support of Chinese government and Aviation Industries of China without which, he said the project would not have succeeded. He said that 40 JF-17 Thunder aircraft would be produced by PAC Kamra within next three years and would be inducted in PAF replacing the existing aircraft. He added that the first JF-17 Squadron would be established shortly.

China’s ambassador Luo Zhaohui on behalf on the Chinese government appreciated the technical acumen of PAC Kamra in acquiring complex skills and expertise in fighter aircraft manufacturing. He said the collaboration between the two peace loving countries in air defence was a major step for the region’s peace.

Earlier Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan, Chairman PAC Board Kamra in his welcome address gave an overview of the JF-17 project and highlighted the benefits of co production in terms of incorporation of modern technologies of manufacturing and skill enhancement of personnel.

The Prime Minister was presented two souvenirs, including a painting of JF-17 Thunder made by Squadron Leader Adnan Siraj and a handmade carpet weaved with the impression of the same fighter aircraft.

In visitor’s remarks, Gilani termed the production of the aircraft as “a testimony of the time tested all weather Pakistan China friendship.”

The JF-17 Thunder, the light weight and low cost multi role fighter aircraft has high maneuverability and BVR capability. It has advanced aerodynamics configuration and high thrust. The JF-17 Thunder will replace the ageing fleets of A 5s, F 7Ps and the Mirages in the PAF inventory thus fulfilling a multi role task.

- Associated Press of Pakistan

Growing Sino-Pakistani defence co-operation alarms India
December 2, 2009

The growing defence relationship between China and Pakistan represents a "serious concern" for India, Defence Minister A K Antony said on 27 November.

Speaking in New Delhi, Antony made reference to the increased number of joint Sino-Pakistan military platforms being developed, the transfer of Chinese military technologies to Islamabad and the role that Chinese companies are playing in developing Pakistan's defence industries.

In comments reported by a Ministry of Defence statement, Antony said: "The increasing nexus between China and Pakistan in the military sphere remains an area of serious concern. We have to carry out continuous appraisals of Chinese military capabilities and shape our responses accordingly. At the same time, we need to be vigilant at all times.

"We have taken several steps for enhancing the capacity-building of our armed forces to meet new and varied challenges. However, we will remain steadfast in our pursuit of regional and global peace."

Antony made his comments less than a week after the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) formally took delivery of its first domestically assembled JF-17 fighter aircraft. The aircraft was developed and built by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Aviation Industry Corporation.

The two countries have also collaborated on the production of the Chinese-designed Sword-class (F-22P) frigate at the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW), the Al Khalid main battle tank and an airborne warning and control system aircraft.

Link: http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdi/j ... _1_n.shtml



Pakistan moves to drone independence
December 2, 2009

By Syed Fazl-e-Haider

QUETTA: Having already gained experience and guidance from the United States on the effective use of drones, Pakistan is working on its own Predator-like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which have helped revolutionize warfare.

The growth of Pakistan's indigenous UAV industry is of great importance for the country's defense, as the nation is on the front line of the "war on terror".

State-owned defense enterprise Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in Kamra, east of the capital, Islamabad, is engaged in manufacturing Falco pilotless planes in collaboration with Selex Galileo of Italy. Initially, the Falco system is for aerial reconnaissance and information gathering. The country later plans to induct UAVs equipped with weapon systems to carry out offensive operations.

These high-tech efforts come as the country's defense expenditure is expected to exceed the budgetary allocation of 343 billion rupees (US$4 billion) by about 20% during the fiscal year ending next June, because of military operations against militants in North-West Frontier Province.

Local analysts believe that production of surveillance drones is the first step and that by modifying existing UAVs the country can eventually achieve its ultimate goal of producing drones equipped with missiles. The US is already using such weapons against Islamist extremists in the country's tribal areas along the Afghanistan border.

Rebuffed for security reasons in its efforts to buy UAVs from the US, Pakistan instead bought unarmed Falco reconnaissance drones from Italy, according to a report published in Los Angeles Times in October. Pakistan has not stopped trying to acquire drones from the US, but has decided to begin making its own. The report claimed that Pakistani technicians at Kamra are still in training and several months away from beginning to manufacture them.

The Falcos produced in Pakistan, like the Italian-made aircraft, won't have strike capability or be able to fly nearly as far as the US's Predator and Reaper drones, the LA Times report said, citing Lieutenant Colonel Gohar Majeed, who is helping lead drone production at the PAC.

Pakistan's armed forces are at war with Pakistani Taliban insurgents in the country's northwest and are working with American drones. The drones' capabilities are being put at the disposal of the Pakistani forces, giving them experience in the effective use of the machines and their successful deployment.

Burraq is the country's latest domestically produced UAV, is based on the Falco-Selex Galileo technology and is believed to be intended as the Pakistan's main equivalent to the American Predator.

"PAC engineers have been working on the first UAV project of the country for two years," according to a report published on the aviation industry Flightglobal website in August. Pakistan is also reported to be flight-testing the Burraq, named for a winged-horse type creature in Islamic tradition. The Burraq is to be equipped with National Engineering and Scientific Commission (or NESCom) designed laser designator and laser-guided missiles. Unlike the Falco, Burraq will be able to attack and destroy targets.

Pakistan has now virtually become a member of the club of countries manufacturing drones. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) desperately needs UAVs capable of firing at targeted militants.

The Falco, with an autonomous navigation and control system, has a standard control link range of 200 kilometers and is capable of short take-offs from semi-prepared airstrips. Among its prominent features are automatic take-off and landing, fully redundant and fault-tolerant control systems and near-real-time target image processing.

Selex Galileo has test flown a Falco at the company's UAV test facility at ParcAberporth in west Wales in the UK. The vehicle was equipped with the active electronically scanned array PicoSAR and an infrared sensor. The high-resolution SAR (synthetic-aperture radar) makes the radar particularly useful for detecting disturbances in ground surface.

Pakistan's aviation firms have been involved in manufacturing small drones for years. Integrated Dynamics (ID), a local firm has been producing smaller UAVs for the government and commercial market for the last 12 years. Other private enterprises, including Surveillance & Target Unmanned Aircraft (Satuma) and East West Infiniti (EWI), have been involved in manufacturing UAVs in the country. State-owned aviation firms which produce UAVs include the Air Weapons Complex (AWC), National Development Complex (NDC) and PAC.

Some analysts believe that Pakistan is manufacturing the latest UAVs with the help of Turkey and China. The new Uqaab UAV is believed to have been developed with the help of Turkey. In March 2008, Pakistan announced the successful completion of flight tests of Uqaab, which appears similar to the US Army RQ-7B Shadow 200. Equipped with a night vision camera, the US Shadow 200 UAV has the capability to fly as high as 15,000 feet and stay 5.5 hours in the air.

China has helped Pakistan in strengthening its defenses, particularly the aviation industry. Beijing extended support in designing a fighter aircraft, the JF-17 Thunder, to meet Pakistan's specific defense needs, besides helping to set up aircraft production facilities in the country.

The first production JF-17 Thunder produced in Kamra was last month handed over to PAF. The light-weight, all-weather aircraft has the capability to carry short as well as long-range air-to-air missiles and its integrated avionics made it capable for fighting in the air for a longer period.

Pakistan plans also to acquire four airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft from China.

In the current fiscal year, Pakistan's defense expenditures are estimated to be somewhere between 400 billion and 410 billion rupees, up by about 70 billion rupees on the 343 billion rupee allocation. Last year, the allocated amount of 296 billion rupees was twice revised upwards to 329 billion rupees, to be 11% over the budget estimates.

Syed Fazl-e-Haider (http://www.syedfazlehaider.com ) is a development analyst in Pakistan. He is the author of many books, including The Economic Development of Balochistan (2004). He can be contacted at sfazlehaider05@yahoo.com

First aircraft tanker arrives in Pakistan: PAF
Updated at: 1206 PST, Saturday, December 19, 2009
ISLAMABAD: The first Aircraft tanker for aerial fuelling has arrived in Pakistan at Air Force base, Geo News reported the PAF sources saying Saturday.

Pakistan will receive three more aircraft tankers in the next year.

http://geo.tv/12-19-2009/55073.htm

COAS, Air Chief attend Army War Games
December 3, 2009

ISLAMABAD: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chief of Air staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman attended a session of Army War Games organized to determine the operational preparedness of the formations.

War Games were organized by Pakistan Army in Karachi. Earlier, on arrival at Karachi, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was received by the Corps Commander Lieutenant General Shahid Iqbal.

- Associated Press of Pakistan

Commander Turkish Air Force visits AHQ
December 8, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Commander Turkish Air Force General Hasan Aksay along with three-member delegation visited Air Headquarters here. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman received the distinguished guests on arrival and a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented the Guard of Honour.

After reviewing the Guard of Honour, the Turkish Commander was introduced to Principal Staff Officers of Pakistan Air Force.
The distinguished guest also paid homage to the PAF martyrs by laying wreath on the Monument.

Commander Turkish Air Force, 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 the organization, role and functioning of Pakistan Air Force.

- Associated Press of Pakistan

PAF gets 1st AWACS aircraft
December 8, 2009

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Air Force Tuesday received first of its four Saab-2000 Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft from Sweden, an statement issued here said.

The aircraft landed at one of the PAF’s Main Operating Bases, marking achievement of a major milestone in the overall modernization plan of PAF.

With the induction of Swedish AEW&C system, PAF has become one of the few air forces in the world to have Airborne Early Warning capability.

Besides detection of High and Medium altitude flying aircraft, this state-of-the-art system is also capable of detecting low level flying objects over land & sea at extended ranges; the system is capable of picking even the surface targets over the sea.

By virtue of these features, PAF would be able to boost its operational capability manifold by achieving requisite early warning for efficient & meaningful Air Defence of its airspace.

Pakistan Air Force got AWACS SAAB 2000
December 8, 2009

Pakistan has been looking for an AWACS/AEW/AEW&C platform for years. They tried very hard to buy some or all of Saudi Arabia’s 5 E-3As, to no avail. The Swedish aircraft manufacturer SAAB announced last month in Dubai that Pakistanwill soon receive a first Saab 2000 – 340 AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft in 2000, will use the system.

The Pakistan Air Force has in Sweden until the first military surveillance aircraft converted Saab 2000 taken receipt. The device is equipped with the Saab Microwave Systems Erieye developed equipment. Pakistan ordered in 2006 to five observation aircraft to build Saab in 2000 with a contract value of 1.2 billion U.S. dollars.

The Saab Microwave Systems Erieye developed consists of a surface radar, a mission system and electronic warfare equipment. The Saab Aero Tech in 2000’s have converted a mission duration of nine hours.

Erieye equipped with Saab 340 aircraft of the type have been used by the governments of Brazil, Greece, Mexico and Sweden. Thailand also recently ordered a Saab 340 will be equipped with Erieye.

This system will be installed on SAAB 2000 aircraft, which Pakistan Air Force negotiated with Sweden. Pakistan will received 5 of these air crafts with the AWACS system installed.

About AWACS a.k.a AEW &C:

It is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft. Used at a high altitude, the radars allow the operators to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft hundreds of miles away. AEW&C aircraft are used for defensive and offensive air operations. The system is used offensively to direct fighters to their target locations, and defensively to counter attacks. It can also be used to carry out surveillance, and C2BM (command and control, battle management) functions.

PAF inducts first AWACS into its fleet
December 8, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has become the second country in the region after India to have inducted the sophisticated surveillance aircraft, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) in its Air Force.

Pakistan, on Tuesday, received the first of four such AWACS fitted aircraft, Saab-2000 from Sweden, which is likely to boost the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) capability to a great extent, The Daily Times reports.

“The aircraft landed on Tuesday at one of the Pakistan Air Force’s main operating bases, marking a major achievement in the air force’s overall modernisation plan,” a statement released by the PAF said.

The aircraft is fitted with the latest technology to detect aircraft flying at high and medium altitudes. With state-of-the-art system, it is also capable of detecting objects flying at lower levels over land and sea at extended ranges. The system is also capable of detecting surface targets over sea.

As compared to Pakistan’s airborne early warning system, the Indian Phalcon system provides tactical surveillance of airborne and surface targets and helps gather signal intelligence. It is also capable of tracking fighter planes, missiles and ground forces from a distance of 400 kilometres and in all weather conditions.

- ANI

Pakistan Air Force gets delivery of its first Saab 2000 AEW aircraft
December 8, 2009

Pakistan Air Force has taken delivery of the first of its four Saab 2000 based airborne early warning (AEW) and control aircraft from Sweden on Tuesday. The deal for the four AEW aircraft was signed between Pakistan and Saab Microwave Systems in 2006. Incidentally, Pakistan is the first buyer of Saab early warning and control aircraft system.

According to an official announcement, the aircraft landed at one of main operating bases, marking a major milestone in PAF’s overall modernisation plan. The induction of Swedish system, PAF has become one of the few air forces in the world to have Airborne Early Warning capability.

Besides detecting high- and medium-altitude aircraft, this state-of-the-art system is also capable of detecting low-level flying objects over land and sea at extended ranges. The system is capable of picking even the surface targets over the sea. By virtue of these features, PAF would be able to boost its operational capability manifold by achieving requisite early warning for efficient and meaningful air defence of its airspace.

The Erieye AEW&C mission system radar is an active, phased-array, pulse-Doppler sensor that can feed onboard operator architecture or downlink data to a ground-based air defence network. Typical detection range against fighter-sized targets is approximately 350 km, in a 150° broadside sector, both sides of the aircraft.

India also inducted a similar Israeli AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control system) platform arrived in India in May 2009 on a Russian plane.

- Algerie-defense