Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Air Force Ensign
Founded	1947 (as the Royal Pakistan Air Force)
Country	Pakistan
Size	65,000 personnel 10,000 reservists
Part of	Pakistan Armed Forces
Air Headquarters	Islamabad
Commanders
Chief of the Air Staff	Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed
Insignia
PAF Logo
The Roundel

Pakistan Air Force (Urdu: پاک فضائیہ, Pak Faza'ya) (PAF) is the Aviation branch of the Pakistan armed forces and is responsible for defending Pakistani air-space from intrusions. It also provides air support for ground troops. Every year the 7th of September, as day after the annual celebration of the Pakistan Defense Day, the day is celebrated as the Air Force day in Pakistan. That day Air shows and other programs mark the PAF's role in defending the nation. Image File history File links Pakistani_Air_Force_Ensign. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Military of Pakistan (Urdu: پاک عسکریہ) is the principal defence organization of Pakistan. ... For other places called Islamabad, see Islamabad (disambiguation). ... The Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force (CAS) is the highest post in the Pakistan Air Force. ... Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed (born 1952) is the current Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Urdu ( , , trans. ... Flying machine redirects here. ... Military of Pakistan (Urdu: پاک عسکریہ) is the principal defence organization of Pakistan. ...

Mission statement

Pakistan Air Force Logo

The PAF's insignia resembles the low-visibility roundel used by the Royal Air Force. The tail marking is the flag of Pakistan

The primary mission statement of the PAF was given by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan during his address to the passing out cadets of the Pakistan Air Force Academy Risalpur on 13 April 1948. His following statement has been taken as an article of faith by all coming generations of PAF personnel:^[1] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The modern proportion RAF roundel A roundel in heraldry is any circular shape; in military use it is an emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags, generally round and consisting of concentric rings of different colors. ... RAF redirects here. ... The national flag of Pakistan was designed by Syed Amir-ud-Din Kedwai based on the 1906 flag of the All-India Muslim League. ... Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Urdu:  ) (December 25, 1876 – September 11, 1948) was a Muslim politician and leader of the All India Muslim League who founded Pakistan and served as its first Governor-General. ... Pakistan Air Force Academy (PAF Academy) is located at Risalpur, NWFP, Pakistan. ... Risalpur city is located nearly 45km from Peshawar, NWFP, Pakistan. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

But the present scenario has required and enabled the Force to come up with an improved and up-to-date Mission Statement:

History

Origin (1947 - 1951)

PAF Hawker Fury

The Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF) was formed in 1947 following the Partition of India. The RPAF began with 2,332 personnel, a fleet of 24 Tempest II fighter-bombers, 16 Hawker Typhoon fighters (also called Tempest I), two H.P.57 Halifax bombers, 2 Auster aircraft, twelve T-6G Harvard trainers and ten Tiger Moth biplanes. It also got eight C-47 Dakota cargo planes which it used to transport supplies to soldiers fighting in the 1947 War in Kashmir against India. However, it allegedly never received all the planes it was alloted at the time of partition of sub-continent^[2]. It started with 7 operational airbases scattered all over the provinces. The prefix Royal was removed when Pakistan gained the status of Republic on 23 March 1956. It has since been called Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is under construction. ... Hawker Tempest II, RAF Museum, Hendon The Hawker Tempest was a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter aircraft of World War II, an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon, and one of the most powerful fighters used in the war. ... The Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft starting in 1941. ... The Handley Page Halifax was one of the British front-line, four-engine heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. ... Auster Autocrat from 1952 For the Roman god of the south wind, see Notus. ... This article is about the first T-6 Texan. ... The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth was a 1930s biplane designed by de Havilland and operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. ... A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two main wings of similar spans, normally one mounted above, and the other level with, the underside of the fuselage. ... Douglas DC-3 VH-AES at Avalon in 2003. ... Combatants India Pakistan Commanders General K M Cariappa, Lt Gen S M Shrinagesh, Maj Gen K S Thimayya, Maj Gen Kalwant Singh Maj Gen Akbar Khan Casualties 1,104 killed[1](Indian army) 684 KIA(State Forces)[2] [3] 3,152 wounded [1] 1,500 killed[4] (Pakistan army) The... Kashmir (or Cashmere) may refer to: Kashmir region, the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent India, Kashmir conflict, the territorial dispute between India, Pakistan, and the China over the Kashmir region. ... Look up republic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A car from 1956 Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Operating these inherited aircraft was far from ideal in Pakistan's diverse terrains, deserts and mountains; frequent attrition and injuries did not make the situation any better. However, by 1948 the air force acquired better aircraft such as the Hawker Sea Fury fighter-bomber and the Bristol Freighter. These new aircraft gave a much-needed boost to the morale and combat capability of the Pakistan Air Force; 93 Hawker Fury and roughly 50-70 Bristol Freighter aircraft were inducted into the PAF by 1950. The Sea Fury was a British fighter aircraft developed for the Fleet Air Arm by Hawker during the Second World War. ... The Bristol Type 170 Freighter was a twin-engined propeller cargo aircraft designed and built by Bristol Aeroplane Company as an air ferry to carry cars and their passengers over relatively short distances. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The jet age (1951 - 1961)

PAF F-86 Sabres

Although the Pakistan Air Force had little funds to use and markets to choose from, it entered the jet age quite early. Initially it had planned to acquire US-built F-94Cs, F-86s, or F-84s and produce its order in Pakistan. However, lack of funds and strong British pressure persuaded the PAF to acquire the British Supermarine Attacker. The first squadron equipped with these aircraft was the Number-11 "Arrow". The Supermarine Attacker had a rather unsatisfactory service in the Pakistan Air Force with frequent attrition and maintenance problems. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 541 pixelsFull resolution (900 × 609 pixel, file size: 63 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Pakistan Air Force F-86 Sabre aircraft. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 541 pixelsFull resolution (900 × 609 pixel, file size: 63 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Pakistan Air Force F-86 Sabre aircraft. ... Look up jet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Lockheed F-94 was the United States Air Forces first operational jet-powered all-weather interceptor aircraft. ... The North American F-86 Sabre (sometimes called the Sabrejet) was a transonic combat aircraft developed for the US Air Force. ... The Republic Aviation F-84 Thunderjet was an American-built turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. ... The Supermarine Attacker was a single-seat jet fighter of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), built by the Supermarine company, and was the first jet fighter of the FAA. The Attacker developed from a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter jet project, the E10//44. ...

In 1957 the Pakistan Air Force received 100 American-built F-86 Sabres under the U.S. aid program. Squadron after squadron in the PAF retired its Hawker Furys and Supermarine Attackers, and replaced them with F-86 jet fighters. In 1957 thirty-six year old Air Marshal Asghar Khan became the Pakistan Air Force's first commander-in-chief; his tenure saw a change of PAF discipline, professionalism and quality which even today leaves its positive mark on the PAF. During his eight-year command the PAF saw modernization and re-equipment programs, as well as stricter and better training. Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Asghar Khan (b. ... For other uses, see Discipline (disambiguation). ... A profession is a specialized work function within society, generally performed by a professional. ...

The PAF recorded its first kill on 10 April 1959 when an Indian Air Force English Electric Canberra plane allegedly on photo reconnaissance mission over Rawalpindi was shot down.^[3] is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Indian Air Force is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... The English Electric Canberra was a first-generation jet bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. ...   (Urdu: راولپنڈی) is a city in the Potwar Plateau near Pakistans capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. ...

Indo-Pakistan War of 1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

PAF B-57s dropped over 600 tons of bombs on enemy territory during the 1965 war

On September 6, 1965 war broke out between India and Pakistan. The first PAF F-104 kill of an Indian Air Force Mystère IV with one of its Sidewinders came on the afternoon of September 7, making it the first combat kill with a Mach 2-capable aircraft. Pakistan attacked India using F-104, F-86, B-57 and RT-33A. In addition to blunting the Indian army's attacks in several sectors, and inflicting damage to some IAF bases, PAF claimed 104 aircraft destroyed for a loss of 19 aircraft. Combatants India Pakistan Commanders Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri Harbakhsh Singh Ayub Khan Musa Khan Casualties 3,264 killed[1] 8,623 wounded[1] (From July to ceasefire) 3,800 killed[2] (September 6 - 22) 4,000 - 8,000 killed/ captured[3][4][5] (July to September 6) The Indo-Pakistani War... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 753 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (839 × 668 pixel, file size: 58 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Pakistan Air Force B-57s. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 753 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (839 × 668 pixel, file size: 58 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Pakistan Air Force B-57s. ... PAF can refer to: Punk Ass Fraggers or PAF Game Community. ... is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was the last of the day fighters, a high-performance supersonic interceptor aircraft capable of high speeds and climb rates. ... The Dassault Mystère was a French fighter aircraft. ... is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer. ...

The Six Day War

Main article: Six-Day War

In between the war of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, PAF sent its pilots to many Arab nations during the Six-Day War. Pakistani pilots flew in the Air Forces of Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, recording 3 confirmed kills against the Israeli Air Force (including Mirages, Mystères and Vautours) without losing any of their own planes. Flight Lieutenant Saif-ul-Azam was decorated by both Jordanian and Iraqi governments for shooting down Israeli planes.^[4] Combatants Israel Egypt Syria Jordan Iraq Commanders Yitzhak Rabin, Moshe Dayan, Uzi Narkiss, Israel Tal, Mordechai Hod, Ariel Sharon Abdel Hakim Amer, Abdul Munim Riad, Zaid ibn Shaker, Hafez al-Assad Strength 264,000 (incl. ... The 1965 war between India and Pakistan, also known as the Second Kashmir War, was the culmination of a series of skirmishes that occurred between April 1965 and September 1965. ... Belligerents India Pakistan Commanders Sam Manekshaw J.S. Aurora G.G Bewoor K. P. Candeth Gul Hassan Khan Abdul Hamid Khan Tikka Khan A. A. K. Niazi # Strength 500,000+ troops 100,000 Mukti BahiniRebels 400,000+ troops Casualties and losses 3,843 killed[1] 9,851 wounded[1] Unknown... For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... Combatants Israel Egypt Syria Jordan Iraq Commanders Yitzhak Rabin, Moshe Dayan, Uzi Narkiss, Israel Tal, Mordechai Hod, Ariel Sharon Abdel Hakim Amer, Abdul Munim Riad, Zaid ibn Shaker, Hafez al-Assad Strength 264,000 (incl. ... The Egyptian Air Force of EAF (Al Quwwat Al Jawwiya Il Misriya in Arabic) is the Aviation branch of the Egyptian armed forces. ... Former South African Air Force Mirage IIICZ The Dassault Mirage III is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed in France during the 1950s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. ... The Dassault Super Mystère French fighter-bomber was the first Western European supersonic aircraft to enter mass production. ... The Sud Aviation (SNCASO) S.O. 4050 Vautour II was a French bomber, interceptor, and attack aircraft used by the Armée de lAir (AdA). ...

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Main articles: Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Two PAF Sabres pull-away after a low level attack

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PAF launched a pre-planned strike, Operation Chengiz Khan, against Indian airbases. The PAF's strikes were based on the same strategy of preemptive neutralisation of enemy air capability followed by the Israeli Air Force on Egyptian and Arab air forces in Operation Focus during the six day war. However, this strike, though taking the Indians by surprise, did not achieve its mission objectives of completely neutralizing the IAF. The IAF was able to regroup and launch retaliatory strikes that same night. The IAF achieved total air supremacy towards the end of the war in the East Pakistan as the airbase of Dhaka with all the flights was destroyed. Although at least 32 Indian fighters were downed in the sector.^[5] Combatants Mukti Bahini India Pakistan Commanders Col. ... Belligerents India Pakistan Commanders Sam Manekshaw J.S. Aurora G.G Bewoor K. P. Candeth Gul Hassan Khan Abdul Hamid Khan Tikka Khan A. A. K. Niazi # Strength 500,000+ troops 100,000 Mukti BahiniRebels 400,000+ troops Casualties and losses 3,843 killed[1] 9,851 wounded[1] Unknown... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 508 pixelsFull resolution (900 × 572 pixel, file size: 59 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)PAF Sabres pull away after a naplam bombing run. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 508 pixelsFull resolution (900 × 572 pixel, file size: 59 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)PAF Sabres pull away after a naplam bombing run. ... Combatants Pakistan Air Force Indian Air Force Strength •36 Aircrafts in first two waves. ... The Israeli Air Force (IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל, Zroa HaAvir VeHaḤalal, Air and Space Division, commonly known as חיל האוויר Hel HaAvir) is the air force of the Israel Defense Forces. ... The Syrian Air Force (Arabic: , Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al Arabiya as-Souriya) is the Aviation branch of the Syrian armed forces. ... Operation Focus (Hebrew: מבצע מוקד, Mivtza Moked) was the opening pre-emptive airstrike by Israel at the start of the Six-Day War of 1967. ... The 1967 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the Six-Day War or June War, was fought between Israel and its Arab neighbors Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. ... The Indian Air Force is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... The Indian Air Force is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ...

The PAF found itself outgunned in East Pakistan. It only had one squadron of 16 vintage F-86 Sabre aircraft facing fourteen squadrons of Indian Air Force. On the night of 3rd and 4th December, this squadron fought against 11 squadrons of IAF and was able to repulse the attack.^[6] However, it was taken out of the war when IAF bombed the only airfield in Dhaka, twice ^[7]. As a result the airspace over East Pakistan could not be effectively patrolled by the PAF, this adversely effected the ability of the Pakistan army to defend its borders. PAF claims to have destroyed 107 Indian fighters in the whole course of war.^[5] The North American F-86 Sabre (sometimes called the Sabrejet) was a transonic combat aircraft developed for the US Air Force. ... The Indian Air Force is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... IAF could mean Indian Air Force Industrial Areas Foundation International Astronautical Federation Israeli Air Force This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... IAF could mean Indian Air Force Industrial Areas Foundation International Astronautical Federation Israeli Air Force This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Yom Kippur War

Main article: Yom Kippur War

During the war 16 PAF pilots volunteered to go to the Middle East in order to support Egypt and Syria but by the time they arrived, Egypt had already been pushed into a ceasefire. Syria remained in a state of war against Israel. Eight (8) PAF pilots started flying out of Syrian Airbases; they formed the A-flight of 67 Squadron at Dumayr Airbase. The Pakistani pilots flew Syrian Mig-21 aircraft conducting CAP missions for the Syrians. Flt. Lt. A. Sattar Alvi became the first Pakistani pilot, during the Yom Kippur War, to shoot down an Israeli Mirage in air combat^[8][9]. He was honored by the Syrian government^[10]. Other aerial encounters involved Israeli F4 Phantoms; Pakistan Air Force did not lose a single pilot or aircraft during this war. The Pakistani pilots stayed on in Syria until 1976, training Syrian pilots in the art of air warfare. Combatants  Israel  Egypt,  Syria,  Iraq Commanders Moshe Dayan, David Elazar, Ariel Sharon, Shmuel Gonen, Benjamin Peled, Israel Tal, Rehavam Zeevi, Aharon Yariv, Yitzhak Hofi, Rafael Eitan, Abraham Adan, Yanush Ben Gal Saad El Shazly, Ahmad Ismail Ali, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Aly Fahmy, Anwar Sadat, Abdel Ghani el-Gammasy, Abdul Munim... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ... Combatants  Israel  Egypt,  Syria,  Iraq Commanders Moshe Dayan, David Elazar, Ariel Sharon, Shmuel Gonen, Benjamin Peled, Israel Tal, Rehavam Zeevi, Aharon Yariv, Yitzhak Hofi, Rafael Eitan, Abraham Adan, Yanush Ben Gal Saad El Shazly, Ahmad Ismail Ali, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Aly Fahmy, Anwar Sadat, Abdel Ghani el-Gammasy, Abdul Munim... “F-4” redirects here. ...

Soviet-Afghan War

Main articles: Soviet war in Afghanistan and Soviet-Afghan War

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 in support of the pro-Soviet government in Kabul, which was being hard-pressed by Mujahadeen rebel forces, marked the start of a decade-long occupation. Mujahadeen rebels continued to harass the occupying Soviet military force as well as the forces of the Afghan regime that it was supporting. The war soon spilled over into neighbouring Pakistan, with a horde of refugees fleeing to camps across the border in an attempt to escape the conflict. In addition, many of the rebels used Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to carry out forays into Afghanistan, and a steady flow of US-supplied arms was carried into Afghanistan from staging areas in Pakistan near the border. This inevitably resulted in border violations by Soviet and Afghan aircraft attempting to interdict these operations. Belligerents DRA USSR Mujahideen of Afghanistan al-Qaeda supported by[1] United States United Kingdom Pakistan Saudi Arabia Commanders Soviet forces: Sergei Sokolov Valentin Varennikov Boris Gromov DRA: Babrak Karmal Mohammad Najibullah Abdul Rashid Dostum Abdul Haq Jalaluddin Haqqani Gulbuddin Hekmatyar Ismail Khan Ahmad Shah Massoud Strength Soviet forces: 80... The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a 10-year war which wreaked incredible havoc and destruction on Afghanistan. ...

Between May 1986 and January 1989, PAF F-16s shot down at least ten intruders from Afghanistan^[11]. Four of the kills were Afghan Su-22s bombers, three were Afghan transports (two An-26s and one An-24), and one was a Soviet Su-25 bomber ^[10]. Most of these kills were achieved using the AIM-9 Sidewinder, but a Su-22 was destroyed by cannon fire and the one An-24 crash landed after being forced to land upon interception.^[12][13][14]

The new generation (1983 - 1989)

In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The violent Soviet invasion brought hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees to Pakistan. With the war being critical to Pakistan's national sovereignty and integrity, the PAF once again sought out modernization, including the procurement of new generation fighter aircraft. France offered its new Mirage 2000, while the PAF's senior officers were interested in procuring American F-16 or F-18L fighters. Initially the Americans refused to sell the F-16 or F-18L and instead offered F-20, F-5E/F or A-10 aircraft. Eventually the new Republican administration of Ronald Reagan approved the sale of F-16s to Pakistan, and in 1981 an agreement was made to supply 34 General Dynamics F-16A and 12 F-16B "Fighting Falcon" aircraft to the Pakistan Air Force. The Muhajir or Mohajir Afghans are the Afghan refugees that fled Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion in 1979. ... A Mirage 2000 of the Indian Air Force The Mirage 2000 is a French-built multi-role fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force. ... The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. ... The Northrop F-20 Tigershark (initially F-5G) was a privately financed fighter aircraft, designed and built by Northrop in the USA, starting in 1975 and offered for sale starting in the 1980s and formally ending in the early 1990s. ... The F-5A/B Freedom Fighter and F-5E/F Tiger II are part of a family of widely used light supersonic fighter aircraft, designed and built by Northrop in the United States, beginning in 1960s. ... The A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic for the United States Air Force to provide close air support (CAS) of ground forces by attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets, also providing a limited air interdiction role. ... Reagan redirects here. ...

The F-16s were delivered under the "Peace Gate" Foreign Military Sales Program; the first six were delivered in 1983 under "Peace Gate-I" while the remaining 34 arrived by 1986, under the "Peace Gate-II" program. Between 1986 and 1988 Pakistani F-16s took part in frequent skirmishes with Soviet and Afghan aircraft. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force. ...

Pakistani F-16s typically carry two all-aspect AIM-9Ls on the wingtip rails, along with a pair of AIM-9Ps on the outermost underwing racks. The F-16s also have an important strike role for which they are fitted with the French-built Thomson-CSF ATLIS laser designation pod and have the capability to deliver Paveway laser-guided bombs^{[citation needed]}. The ATLIS was first fitted to Pakistani F-16s in January 1986, which became the first non-European aircraft to be qualified for the ATLIS pod.^{[citation needed]} The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. ...

During the late 1980s, the Pakistan Air Force's Air Defence system also underwent modernization, including the induction and integration of new land-based AN/TPS-47 radars and new Crotale Surface-to-air missiles. Attempts to acquire a new AWACS aircraft were also made - with the E-3 Sentry being desired, but the U.S would not sell it and instead offered the E-2 Hawkeye. For the French missile system, see Crotale Crotales are percussion instruments consisting of small, tuned metal disks, each about 4 in diameter with a flat top surface and a nipple on the base. ... rolling out of the Boeing factory in the 1970s A Sentry AEW1 of the RAF takes off USAF E-3 Sentry prepared for flight at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Canada The NATO E-3s have the Coat of arms of Luxembourg and the registration LX on the tail. ... The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an all-weather, aircraft carrier-based tactical Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft nicknamed Super Fudd[1] because it replaced Willy Fudd, (the E-1 Tracer). ...

In 1988 the Pakistan Air Force sought to replace its F-6s and Mirages by 1997 with the procurement of new aircraft; initially a mix of Mirage 2000 and F-16A/B Block-15OCU were to be acquired alongside 90 or so F-7 (Chinese MiG-21). However in 1988 the death of Zia-ul-Haq and Soviet disengagement from Afghanistan reduced Pakistan's value as an US ally and sanctions were put in place by US authorities quoting a suspected nuclear program. Since 2002 the F-6 has been phased out of Pakistan Air Force and the last flight and farewell ceremony to the F-6 aircraft was held at Pakistan Air Force Base Samungli (Quetta Baluchistan), Wing Commander Arif had the honour of flying the last sortie of the F-6 aircraft in the presence of PAF Chief and Chinese Air Force high officials. Gen. ...

The "lost" decade (1991 - 2001)

From 1990 Pakistan was hit by American military embargoes in response to Pakistan's nuclear weapons development; these embargoes prevented the Pakistan Air Force from acquiring the 71 new-built F-16s from the U.S. After the 1998 nuclear tests and 1999 military coup, Pakistan was hit by further sanctions not only from the U.S but other Western nations as well; it would not be until 2002 when the U.S finally ended most of the embargoes. During the 1990s the Pakistan Air Force strived for alternative sources for its new generation fighter requirement; the French Dassault Mirage 2000-5 was chosen but was too expensive to obtain.

This forced Pakistan to rely heavily on China for military aircraft. Pakistan and China worked together to develop the K-8 trainer, and continue to cooperate on the JF-17 project which aims to provide both nations with a new-generation fighter. This project is a major joint venture between Pakistan Air Force and China Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation along with Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC). The research and development cost of this project is between 450 to 500 million US dollars. It is financed up to 50%-59% by the government of Pakistan. Estimated cost per aircraft will be around 20 million US dollars. As of 2007, Pakistan had started manufacturing JF-17s in Kamra and the first delivery of two planes has taken place in March, 2007.But the mass production started in january 2008 the 8 JF-17 delivered to pakistan and two are in transit. The Hongdu JL-8 (or Nanchang JL-8) is a two-seat trainer aircraft built by joint-cooperation between Pakistan and the Peoples Republic of China. ... The J-9 is also known as the FC-1 or JF-17 is a third generation fighter jet being developed jointly by the Peoples Republic of China and Pakistan. ... The J-9 is also known as the FC-1 or JF-17 is a third generation fighter jet being developed jointly by the Peoples Republic of China and Pakistan. ...

Kargil war

Tail of a downed Mig-27 of Indian Air Force

During the Kargil War with India, while none of the PAF aircraft played a role, the Pakistan Air Force Air Defence unit shot down an Indian Air Force MiG-27 on May 27, 1999 which had entered Pakistani air-space. Pakistan also shot down another Mig-21,^[15] which had come into the area in search of the earlier downed pilot. Pakistan claimed that these two aircraft had violated the LoC and crossed 7 miles in to Pakistani air space before being shot down by PAF Air Defence and Pakistan Army SAM and AAM, though India maintains that it was in Indian territory and that the aircraft were shot down by the infiltrators using Stinger missiles that they claim were later recovered.^[16] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Combatants  India  Pakistan, Kashmiri secessionists, Islamic militants (Foreign Fighters) Strength 30,000 5,000 Casualties Indian Official Figures: 527 killed,[1][2][3] 1,363 wounded[4] 1 POW Pakistani Estimates: 357-500 killed[5][6] (Pakistan troops) 665+ soldiers wounded[5] 8 POW.[7] The Kargil War, also known... The Indian Air Force is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 (NATO reporting name Flogger) is a ground attack aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union and later licence-produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics as the Bahadur (Valiant). It is based on the MiG-23 fighter aircraft, but optimized... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ... Akash Missile Firing French Air Force Crotale battery Bendix Rim-8 Talos surface to air missile of the US Navy A surface-to-air missile (SAM) is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft. ... A US Navy VF-103 Jolly Rogers F-14 Tomcat fighter launches an AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missile. ... The FIM-92 Stinger is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile developed in the United States and used by all the U.S. armed services, with whom it entered service in 1981. ...

The Mig-27 pilot, Flt Lt Nachiketa successfully ejected, and he was captured by Pakistani ground forces as a POW. Post Kargil war and ceasefire, he was returned to India. Squadron Leader Kambampati Nachiketa Vayusena Medal (Gallantry) [1], is currently a serving officer of the Indian Air Force. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ...

Four IAF personnel were killed on May 28 when a MI-17 helicopter was shot down by Pakistan air defence units.^[17] The Indian Air Force is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Mil Mi-17 (Also known as the Mi-8MT, NATO reporting name Hip-H) was a Soviet cargo helicopter. ...

Pakistan Air Force today

The PAF today operates F-16s, F-7PGs, F-7MPs, Mirage-IIIs, JF-17 Thunders and Mirage-Vs, around 500 to 530 fighters^[18] organized in 27 front-line squadrons, the total of aircraft exceeds over 700. The PAF is upgrading fighter aircraft such as the Mirage ROSE-I that can utilize BVR, and Mirage ROSE-III that can carry out surgical strike missions using long-range glide bombs. According to some resources, these planes match or exceed the performance of F-16s in some aspects.^[19] Pakistan has also started manufacturing 150 (can go up to 250-300 fighters) JF-17 Thunder fighters at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra. The first batch of two aircraft were commissioned in PAF on 23 March 2007. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ... The Chengdu Jian-7 (export versions F-7) is a Peoples Republic of China-built fighter jet derived from the Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. ... The Chengdu Jian-7 (export versions F-7) is a Peoples Republic of China-built fighter jet derived from the Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. ... The Dassault Mirage III is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1950s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. ... The Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder, also known as the Fighter China-1 (FC-1) Fierce Dragon [1] in China, is a single-seat multirole fighter aircraft developed by China and Pakistan. ... The Dassault Mirage 5 is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1960s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. ... A Beyond Visual Range missile usually refers to an air-to-air missile that is capable of engaging at ranges beyond 20 nautical miles (37 km). ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ... The Joint Fighter-17 (JF-17) Thunder, also known as the Fighter China-1 (FC-1) Fierce Dragon [1] in China, is a single-seat multirole fighter aircraft developed by China and Pakistan. ... The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is a facility used to service, assemble and manufacture aircraft for Pakistan located at Kamra, Punjab, Pakistan. ... Kamra (Urdu: کامرہ ) is located in Punjab, Pakistan. ... is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

On April 12, 2006, the Government of Pakistan authorized the purchase of up to 77 F-16 fighter planes from the US. But this number was reduced to 40 when US declined to reduce the unit price of the aircraft. The Government of Pakistan had also authorized the purchase of 36 Chinese J-10 fighter aircraft^[20][21] is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ... The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft produced by the Peoples Republic of China Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). ...

PAF Awards for valor

Main article: Nishan-e-Haider

The Nishan-e-Haider (Urdu: نشان حیدر) (Order of Bravery), is the highest military award given by Pakistan. Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas (1951–August 20, 1971) is the only officer of the PAF to be awarded the Nishan-e-Haider. Other heroes of the PAF include: Nishan-e-Haider (Urdu: , translated as Order of the Lion, abbreviated as NH), is the highest military award given by Pakistan. ... Nishan-e-Haider (Urdu: , translated as Order of the Lion, abbreviated as NH), is the highest military award given by Pakistan. ... Rashid Minhas Rashid Minhas or Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Urdu: راشد منہاس) (February 17, 1951–August 20, 1971) was a Pilot Officer in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. ... is the 232nd day of the year (233rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ... PAF can refer to: Punk Ass Fraggers or PAF Game Community. ...

• Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmood Alam also known as M. M. Alam who shot down five IAF jets in less than 30 seconds
• Squadron Leader Sarfraz Rafiqui who did not leave the battle even with his jammed guns kept chasing an Indian Air Force pilot (Adi Rustom Gandhi) until finally being shot down by Gandhi.

On March 15, Pakistan received 6 JF-17 fighters from China. The Pakistan Air Force currently has 8 JF-17 Thunder aircraft in service. A Squadron Leaders sleeve/shoulder insignia Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr in the RAF, SQNLDR in the RNZAF and RAAF and S/L in the former RCAF) is a commissioned rank in some air forces. ... Pakistans Squadron Leader Muhammad Mahmood Alam, a retired pilot of the Pakistan Air Force was born July 6, 1935, in Calcutta, West Bengal. ... Former Pakistan Airforce Pilot & the only ace in the Soth Asian region. ... A Squadron Leaders sleeve/shoulder insignia Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr in the RAF, SQNLDR in the RNZAF and RAAF and S/L in the former RCAF) is a commissioned rank in some air forces. ... Squadron Leader Sarfraz Ahmed Rafiqui is a well-known pilot in the Pakistan Air Force. ...

PAF Command structure

Personnel and command

The Air Force has about 65,000 active personnel with about 10,000 reserves. The Chief of the Air Staff holds the operational and administrative powers. He is assisted by a Vice Chief of Air Staff and six Deputy Chiefs of the Air Staff who control and administer the Administration, Operations, Engineering, Supply (logistics), Personnel, and Training divisions of the PAF respectively. Recently, the Air Headquarters (AHQ) has been moved from Chaklala to Islamabad. Major Air force bases are at Shorkot, Karachi, Quetta, Kamra, Peshawar, Mianwali, Sargodha and Risalpur. There are many war-time operational forward bases, civilian airstrips and runways as well as emergency motorways. Shorkot is a town located in Punjab, Pakistan. ...   (Sindhi: , Urdu: ) is the largest city in Pakistan and is the provincial capital of Sindh province. ...   (Urdu: کوئٹہ) also spelled Kwatah city is a variation of kwatkot, a Pashto word meaning “fort,”. It is the largest city and provincial capital and district of Baluchistan Province, Pakistan. ... Kamra (Urdu: کامرہ ) is located in Punjab, Pakistan. ...   (Urdu: پشاور; Pashto: پښور) literally means City on the Frontier in Persian and is known as Pekhawar in Pashto. ... Mianwali (Urdu: میانوالی,Hindi: मियांवाली) is the capital city of Mianwali District in the north-west of Punjab province, Pakistan. ... Sargodha (Urdu: ) is the capital city of Sargodha District in Punjab province, Pakistan, it is located in northeast Pakistan, to the west-northwest of Lahore on the lower Jhelum Canal. ... Risalpur city is located nearly 45km from Peshawar, NWFP, Pakistan. ...

Ranks

The current officer rank structure follows Royal Air Force designations:

PAF Commissioned Officer Ranks
Rank	Air Chief Marshal	Air Marshal	Air Vice Marshal	Air Commodore	Group Captain	Wing Commander	Squadron Leader	Flight Lieutenant	Flying Officer	Pilot Officer
Uniform insignia

In 2006 the Pakistan Air Force changed the rank insignia for its officers, abandoning the ring insignia in favour of an army-style one based on stars ^[22]. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns in RAF No 1 Dress uniform Air Chief Marshal (Air Chf Mshl or ACM) is a senior air officer rank in the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom as well as in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and in the air forces... An air marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Marshal (Air Mshl or AM) is a rank in the Royal Air Force. ... An Air Vice Marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia An Air Vice Marshals command flag Air Vice Marshal is the third most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the inactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts... An Air Commodoress sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Commodore is the fourth most senior rank active in the Royal Air Force today, after the deactivation of Marshal of the Royal Air Force as a substantive rank in peacetime during defence cuts of the 1990s. ... A Group Captains sleeve/shoulder insignia Group Captain (Gp Capt in the RAF, GPCAPT in the RNZAF and RAAF, G/C in the former RCAF) is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ... A Wing Commanders sleeve/shoulder insignia A Wing Commanders command flag Wing Commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. ... A Squadron Leaders sleeve/shoulder insignia Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr in the RAF, SQNLDR in the RNZAF and RAAF and S/L in the former RCAF) is a commissioned rank in some air forces. ... A Flight Lieutenants sleeve/shoulder insignia Flight Lieutenant (abbreviated as Flt Lt and pronounced as flight lef-tenant, see Lieutenant) is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A Pilot Officers sleeve/shoulder insignia Pilot Officer (Plt Off in the RAF; PLTOFF in the RAAF and RNZAF, P/O in the former RCAF) is the lowest substantive commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries, ranking only above Acting... For Warrant Officers in the United States military, see Warrant Officer (United States). ... Junior Technician (JT) is a rank in the Royal Air Force, ranking between Senior Aircraftman and Corporal, with a NATO rank code of OR-2. ... Senior Aircraftman (SAC), or Senior Aircraftwoman (SACW), is a rank in the Royal Air Force, ranking between Leading Aircraftman and Junior Technician (although SACs in non-technical trades progress directly to Corporal) and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. ... Leading Aircraftman (LAC) (or Leading Aircraftwoman (LACW)) is a rank in the Royal Air Force, ranking between Aircraftman and Senior Aircraftman and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. ... Aircraftman (AC), or Aircraftwoman (ACW), is the lowest rank in the Royal Air Force, ranking below Leading Aircraftman and having a NATO rank code of OR-1. ...

List of PAF Chiefs

1. Air Vice Marshal Allan Perry-Keane (August 15, 1947 - February 17, 1949)
2. Air Vice Marshal R.L.R. Atcherley (February 18, 1949 - May 6, 1951)
3. Air Vice Marshal L.W. Cannon (May 7, 1951 - June 19, 1955)
4. Air Vice Marshal A.W.B. McDonald (June 20, 1955 - July 22, 1957)
5. Air Marshal Asghar Khan (July 23, 1957 - July 22, 1965)
6. Air Marshal M. Nur Khan (July 23, 1965 - August 31, 1969)
7. Air Marshal A. Rahim Khan (September 1, 1969 - March 2, 1972)
8. Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry (March 3, 1972 - April 15, 1974)
9. Air Chief Marshal Zulfiqar Ali Khan (April 16, 1974 - July 22, 1978)
10. Air Chief Marshal M. Anwar Shamim (July 23, 1978 - March 5, 1985)
11. Air Chief Marshal Jamal A. Khan (March 6, 1985 - March 8, 1988)
12. Air Chief Marshal Hakimullah (March 9, 1988 - March 9, 1991)
13. Air Chief Marshal Farooq Feroze Khan (March 9, 1991 - November 8, 1994)
14. Air Chief Marshal Abbas Khattak (November 8, 1994 - November 7, 1997)
15. Air Chief Marshal Parvaiz Mehdi Qureshi (November 7, 1997 - November 20, 2000)
16. Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir (November 20, 2000 - February 20, 2003)
17. Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat (March 18, 2003 - March 18, 2006)
18. Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed (March 18, 2006 - present)

Air Vice-Marshal Allan Lancelot Addison Perry-Keane CB, OBE (10 November 1898 – 16 March 1987) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force. ... is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Air Marshal Sir Richard Llewellyn Roger Atcherley (12 January 1904–18 April 1970) was a senior commander in the RAF who also served as chief of Air Staff for the Royal Pakistan Air Force [1]. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Marshal Sir Richard Atcherley ^ Liddell Hart... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 126th day of the year (127th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 127th day of the year (128th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... Air Marshal Sir Arthur William Baynes McDonald KCB AFC RAF (14 June 1903 – 26 July 1996) was a Royal Air Force officer who held senior command positions in the 1950s. ... is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 203rd day of the year (204th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Asghar Khan (b. ... is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 203rd day of the year (204th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Nur Khan (Urdu: نور خان) (born 22 February 1923) was the Air Marshal of Pakistan Air Force, Governor of West Pakistan and the Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines. ... is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 243rd day of the year (244th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Zafar Chaudhry was the Air Marshal of the Pakistan Air Force from March 1972 to April 1974. ... is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar.