Pakistan Air Force Inducts Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
April 20, 2008

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) inducted Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System (UAVs), the PAF said in a statement.

The induction and operationalization ceremony was held at a PAF operational base, the PAF statement said.

"Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are ideal systems to support the emerging joint character and the asymmetric nature of warfare," it said.

It said that the long endurance of UAVs provides sustained support for more efficient and time-critical targeting, and other missions requiring greater persistence than what is provided by manned aircraft.

"UAVs offer a unique capability to get closer to a target and provide detailed bird's eye view while remaining invisible to enemy's eyes and ears," it said.

The statement said that their small size, low noise propulsion system and ability to feed information directly to battlefield commanders enhance the effectiveness of any combat force, more so of the Pakistan Air Force.

"It is, indeed, a moment of great pride and satisfaction for all of us, as acquisition of this capability will certainly contribute towards augmenting our fighting potential," Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed said at the ceremony.

In a future time frame, the Pakistan Air Force is looking forward to equipping these Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with the most modern and lethal payloads, thereby enhancing their capability even further, he said.

He hoped that the PAF men would measure up to the expectations of the PAF and prove worthy of the sacred trust reposed in them.

While commenting on the modernization of Pakistan Air Force program, the air force chief said, "Up-gradation and modernization program of Pakistan Air Force are successfully progressing at a rapid pace and induction of these Air Defence Systems will make Pakistan Air Force ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow."