Pakistan Air Force

Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) (Urdu: ‫پاک‬

‫ِف ضائیہ‬, romanized: Pāk Fìzāʾiyah;
pronounced [pɑːk fɪzɑːɪjəɦ])[Note 1] is the
aerial warfare branch of the Pakistan
Armed Forces, tasked primarily with the
aerial defence of Pakistan, with a
secondary role of providing air support to
the Pakistan Army and Navy when
required, and a tertiary role of providing
strategic airlift capability to Pakistan. As
of 2021, as per the International Institute
for Strategic Studies, the PAF has more
than 70,000 active-duty personnel and
operates at least 970 aircraft.[8] Its primary
mandate and mission is "to provide, in
synergy with other inter-services, the most
efficient, assured and cost effective aerial
defence of Pakistan." Since its
establishment in 1947, the PAF has been
involved in various combat operations,
providing aerial support to the operations
and relief efforts of the Pakistani
military.[9] Under Article 243, the
Constitution of Pakistan appoints the
President of Pakistan as the civilian
Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan
Armed Forces. The Chief of Air Staff
(CAS), by statute a four-star air officer, is
appointed by the President with the
consultation and confirmation needed
from the Prime Minister of Pakistan.[10]
Pakistan Air Force
,‫پاک ِف ضائیہ‬
Pāk Fìzāʾiyah
Badge of the Pakistan Air Force
Founded 14 August 1947
Country Pakistan
Type Air force
Role Aerial warfare[1]
Size 70,000 total active

personnel[2]
8,000 reserve[2]
128 civilian
personnel[3]
Approx 970+ aircraft
Part of Pakistan Armed

Forces
Headquarters Air Headquarters

(AHQ), Islamabad
Motto(s) Urdu: ‫قوم کا سرمایہ‬

‫افتخار‬
"A symbol of pride for
the nation" (ISPR
official)[4]
Persian: ‫صحراست که‬
‫دریاست ته بال و پر ماست‬
"Be it deserts or
seas; all lie under our
wings" (traditional) [5]
Colours
Anniversaries Air Force Day: 7

September
Engagements Major conflicts and

wartime operations
Indo-Pakistani
Wars and Conflicts
Indo-Pakistani
War of 1947-49
Indo-Pakistani
War of 1965
Indo-
Pakistani
Air War of
1965
Bangladesh
Liberation War
East
Pakistan Air
Operations
Indo-Pakistani
War of 1971
1999 Kargil War
2001–02 India–
Pakistan
standoff
2008 India–
Pakistan
standoff
2019 India–
Pakistan
standoff
Arab Cold War
Al-Wadiah
War[6][7]
Conflicts in the
Middle East
1967 Arab-Israeli
War
1973 Arab-Israeli
War
Nagorno-
Karabakh
conflict
Gulf War
Afghanistan
Conflict (1978–
present)
Afghanistan-
Pakistan
skirmishes
Soviet–Afghan
War
First Afghan Civil

War (1989–1992)
Second Afghan
Civil War (1992–
1996)
Third Afghan
Civil War (1996–
2001)
NATO logistics
operations (War
in Afghanistan)
U.S.-led War on
Terror
War in
Afghanistan
(2001–2021)
War in North-
West Pakistan
Sri Lankan Civil
War
Military
assistance to Sri
Lanka
United Nations
Missions
Yugoslav Wars
Bosnian
War
Somali Civil War
2004 Indian
Ocean relief
operations
UNSM – Haiti
Operation
Madadt
(supplementary
role)
Internal Conflicts
Insurgency in
Balochistan
(1948-present)
Sectarian
conflicts in
Pakistan
Website paf.gov.pk (http://ww
w.paf.gov.pk/#/)
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief President Arif Alvi
Chairman Joint General Sahir

Chiefs of Staff Shamshad Mirza
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal

Zaheer Ahmad Babar
Vice Chief of Air Air Marshal Syed

Staff Noman Ali
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Flag
Aircraft flown
Attack Mirage 5, Mirage III,
Burraq UAV, CH-4
UACV, CAIG Wing
Loong II
Electronic 2000 Erieye

warfare (AWACS), ZDK-03
(AWACS), Falcon DA-
20 (EW)
Fighter F-
16A/B/AM/BM/C/D,
JF-17A/B, Chengdu
J-10C
Helicopter AW139, Bell 205, Bell
412, Mi-171, Bell AH-
1 Cobra
Interceptor F-7PG
Reconnaissance Mirage IIIRP, Jasoos I

UAV,
Jasoos II Bravo+
UAV, Shahpar UAV,
Selex ES Falco
Trainer MFI-17 Mushshak,

MFI-395 Super
Mushshak, T-37, K-8P,
FT-6, FT-7, F-16B/D,
JF-17B
Transport C-130B/E/L-100, CN-

235, Gulfstream IV,
Phenom 100, Saab
2000, Harbin Y-12
Tanker Ilyushin Il-78
History
1959 Indian aerial intrusion
On 10 April 1959, on the occasion of the

Eid ul-Fitr festival holiday in Pakistan, an
Indian Air Force (IAF) English Electric
Canberra B(I)58 of No. 106 Squadron
entered Pakistani airspace on a photo
reconnaissance mission. Two PAF F-86F
Sabres (Flt. Lt. M. N. Butt (leader) and Flt.
Lt. M. Yunis) of No. 15 Squadron on Air
Defence Alert (ADA) were scrambled from
Sargodha Air Base to intercept the IAF
aircraft. Butt attempted to bring down the
Canberra by firing his Sabre's machine
guns, but the Canberra was flying at an
altitude of more than 50,000 feet—beyond
the operational ceiling of the F-86F. When
Yunis took over from his leader, the
Canberra suddenly lost height while
executing a turn over Rawalpindi. Yunis
fired a burst that struck the Canberra at an
altitude of 47,500 feet and brought it down
over Rawat, marking the first direct aerial
victory of the PAF. Both crew members of
the IAF Canberra ejected and were
captured by Pakistani authorities. They
were subsequently released after
remaining in detention for some time.[11]
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The PAF fleet at the time consisted of 12

F-104 Starfighters, some 120 F-86 Sabres
and around 20 B-57 Canberra bombers.[12]
The PAF claims to have had complete air
superiority over the battle area from the
second day of operations.[13] However, IAF
Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh claimed that,
despite having been qualitatively inferior to
the PAF, the IAF allegedly achieved total air
superiority in three days.[14]
PAF Squadron preparing for Aerial Battle in 1965
Many publications have credited the PAF's

successes in combat with the IAF to its
U.S.-quality equipment, claiming it to be
superior to the aircraft operated by the IAF
and giving the PAF a "qualitative
advantage". This statement has been
refuted by some officials in Pakistan, who
say that the IAF's MiG-21, Hawker Hunter
and Folland Gnat aircraft had better
performance than the PAF's F-86 fighters,
without accounting for the obvious
quantitative advantage that the IAF
possessed.[15] According to retired PAF Air
Commodore Sajad Haider, the F-86 Sabre
was inferior in terms of both power and
speed to the IAF's Hawker
Hunter.[15][16][17][18]
Sajad Haider, who flew with No. 19

squadron also stated that the F-104
Starfighter did not deserve its reputation
as "the pride of the PAF" because it "was
unsuited to the tactical environment of the
region. It was a high-level interceptor
designed to neutralize Soviet strategic
bombers in altitudes above 40,000 feet."
Nevertheless, the IAF is believed to have
feared facing the Starfighter in combat[16]
despite its lack of effectiveness in
comparison to the IAF's fleet of Folland
Gnats.[19] According to Indian sources, the
F-86F performed reasonably well against
the IAF's Hunters but not as well against
the Gnat, which was nicknamed the Sabre
Slayer by the IAF.[20][21]
Per India, most of the aircraft losses of the

IAF were allegedly on the ground while the
PAF suffered most of their losses in aerial
combat,[22] a claim that has widely been
accepted by most international sources as
"a stretch".[22] The IAF ran a larger
offensive air campaign by devoting 40% of
its air effort to offensive air support
alone.[22]
The two countries have made

contradictory claims of combat losses
during the war and few neutral sources
have verified the claims of either country,
as is the case with most India-Pakistan
conflicts. The PAF claims that it shot down
104 IAF aircraft and lost 19 of its own,
while the IAF claimed it shot down 73 PAF
aircraft while losing 60 of its own.[23]
According to most independent and
neutral sources, the PAF lost some 20
aircraft while the IAF lost somewhere
between 60 and 75.[24]
Despite the intense fighting throughout the

course of the war, the conflict was
effectively a stalemate and inconclusive in
its result.[25]
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
PAF B-57 Canberra bombers lined up at an airbase.

By late 1971, the intensification of the
independence movement in erstwhile East
Pakistan led to the Bangladesh Liberation
War between West Pakistan and East
Pakistan (later joined by India).[26] On 22
November 1971, 10 days before the start
of a full-scale war, four PAF F-86 Sabre
jets attacked Indian and Mukti Bahini
positions at Garibpur, near the international
border. Two of the four PAF Sabres were
shot down and one damaged by the IAF's
Gnats.[27] On 3 December, India formally
declared war against Pakistan following
massive preemptive strikes by the PAF
against IAF installations in Srinagar,
Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur.
However, the IAF did not suffer any
significant losses because the leadership
had anticipated such a move and
consequently, precautions were taken.[28]
The IAF was quick to respond to Pakistani
airstrikes, following which the PAF carried
out mostly defensive sorties.[29]
Hostilities officially ended at 14:30 GMT on

17 December, after the fall of Dacca on 15
December. The PAF flew about 2,840
sorties and destroyed 71 IAF aircraft while
losing 43 of its own.[30]
1979–1989 Soviet–Afghan War
In 1979, the PAF's Chief of Air Staff, Air

Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim, was told by
then-President and Chief of Army Staff
General Zia-ul-Haq, that Pakistan had
reliable intelligence on Indian plans to
attack and destroy Pakistan's nuclear
research facilities in Kahuta. ACM Shamim
told General Zia-ul-Haq that, in the PAF's
current state, "Indian aircraft could reach
the area in three minutes whereas the PAF
would take eight minutes, allowing the
Indians to attack the facility and return
before the PAF could defend or retaliate".
Because Kahuta was close to the Indian
border, a consensus was reached
acknowledging that the best way to deter
a possible Indian attack would be to
procure new advanced fighters and
weaponry. These could be used to mount
a retaliatory attack on India's nuclear
research facilities in Trombay in the event
of an Indian attack on Kahuta. It was
decided the most suitable aircraft would
be the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which the
United States eventually agreed to supply
after the PAF refused to purchase the F-5.
In 1983, when the first batch of F-16s
reached Pakistan, ACM Shamim informed
Zia of the PAF's increasing capability to
effectively respond to an attack on the
nuclear research facilities at Kahuta.[31][32]
Due to rising tensions with the Soviet Union

due to its invasion of Afghanistan,
Pakistan's ISI systematically coordinated
with the CIA, MI6 and Mossad to secure
American resources and armaments for
the Afghan mujahideen who were
combating the invading Soviet forces.
Various reports during this period widely
indicated that the PAF had in fact covertly
engaged in aerial combat against the
Soviet Air Force in support of the Afghan
Air Force during the course of the
conflict;[33] one of which belonged to
Alexander Rutskoy.[33]
A letter of agreement for up to 28 F-16A

and 12 F-16B was signed in December
1981. The contracts, Peace Gate I and
Peace Gate II were for 6 and 34 Block 15
models respectively, which would be
powered by the F100-PW-200 engine. The
first Peace Gate I aircraft was accepted at
Fort Worth in October 1982. Two F-16A
and four F-16B were subsequently
delivered to Pakistan in 1983, with the first
F-16 arriving at PAF Base Sargodha (now
known as PAF Base Mushaf) on 15
January 1983 flown by Squadron Leader
Shahid Javed. The 34 remaining aircraft as
part of Peace Gate II were delivered
between 1983 and 1987.[34][35]
Between May 1986 and November

1988,[36] the PAF's newly acquired F-16s
had shot down at least eight intruding
aircraft from Afghanistan. The first three
of these (one Su-22, one probable Su-22,
and one An-26) were shot down by two
pilots from No. 9 Squadron. Pilots of No.
14 Squadron destroyed the remaining five
intruders (two Su-22s, two MiG-23s, and
one Su-25).[37] Most of these kills were by
the AIM-9 Sidewinder, but at least one (a
Su-22) was destroyed by cannon fire.
Pakistani Flight Lieutenant Khalid
Mahmoud is credited with three of these
kills.[38][39]
The PAF is believed to have evaluated the

French Dassault Mirage 2000 in early 1981
and was planning to evaluate the F-16
Fighting Falcon afterwards.[40]
U.S. arms embargo (1990–2001)
After the Pressler amendment was

passed, the United States placed
sanctions and an arms embargo on
Pakistan starting on 6 October 1990 due to
the continuance of the country's nuclear
weapons research program. All eleven
Peace Gate III F-16s, along with seven F-
16A and ten F-16B of the 60 Peace Gate IV
F-16s, which had been built by the end of
1994 were embargoed and put into
storage on U.S. soil.[34][35]
Desperate for a new high-tech combat

aircraft, between late 1990 and 1993 the
PAF evaluated the European Panavia
Tornado MRCA (multi-role combat
aircraft), and ultimately rejected it.
France's Dassault Mirage 2000E and an
offer from Poland for the supply of MiG-
29s and Su-27s were also considered, but
no deal materialized. In 1992, the PAF
once again looked towards the French
Mirage 2000, reviving a proposal from the
early 1980s to procure around 20–40
aircraft, but a sale did not occur because
France did not want to sell a fully capable
version due to pressure from the United
States. In August 1994, the PAF was
offered the Saab JAS-39 Gripen by
Sweden, but the sale did not occur
because 20% of the Gripen's components
were sourced from the U.S., which was still
maintaining sanctions on Pakistan.[41]
In mid-1992, Pakistan was close to signing

a contract for the supply of 40 Dassault
Mirage 2000s, equipped with Thomson-
CSF RDM/7 radars from France, although
U.S. sanctions also prevented this deal
from finalizing[42]
In mid-1994, it was reported that Russian

manufacturers Sukhoi and Mikoyan were
offering the Su-27 and MiG-29,[43] but
Pakistan was reported to be negotiating
for supply of the Mirage 2000–5.[44] French
and Russian teams visited Pakistan on 27
November 1994 and it was speculated
that the interest in Russian aircraft was to
pressure France into reducing the price of
the Mirage 2000. The stated requirement
was for up to 40 aircraft.[45]
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
The Pakistan Air Force is believed to have

had a primary role in the alleged
evacuation of Taliban personnel by the
Pakistani military from Afghanistan.
However, Pakistani and American officials
have denied any such airlift taking
place.[46][47]
2008 post-Mumbai attacks air alert
After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the

Pakistan Air Force was put on high alert in
anticipation of any potential Indian
accusations and offensives. It deployed to
all its wartime locations and started
routine combat air patrols. The speed and
intensity of the deployment and PAF's
readiness took the Indian Army High
Command by surprise and later reports
suggest that was the main factor to
influence the Indians' decision of not going
for cross border raids inside
Pakistan.[48][49] The PAF was issued a
standing order to launch an immediate
counter-attack in case of an air attack
from India, after a call from the Indian
Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to the
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari (the
call later turned out to be a
hoax).[48][49][50][51][52]
2011 U.S. raid in Abbottabad
An initial investigation report revealed that

the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reported the
movement of some half-a-dozen planes
near the Jalalabad border at 23:00 before
American helicopters entered Abbottabad
to kill Osama bin Laden. "One aircraft was
identified as a US AWACS and the
remaining five were recognized as F-18
jets of the US. These planes flew near the
Pakistani border, but did not cross into the
airspace of Pakistan,"[53]
On the detection of an intrusion, PAF jets

on air defence alert were scrambled and
the PAF immediately took adequate
operational measures as per standard
operating procedure. The PAF aircraft
continued their presence in the Abbottabad
area until early morning and later returned
to their air bases.[54]
However, the fact that so many non-stealth

aircraft had entered Pakistani airspace,
stayed for three hours to carry out a major
operation, and that PAF jets only arrived at
the location 24 minutes after the American
helicopters had left made a senior PAF
official term it "one of the most
embarrassing incidents in Pakistan's
history".[55]
Counter-insurgency operations in
North-West Pakistan (2001–2021)
Pakistan Air Force Mirage III aircraft drops two 500-pound bombs during Falcon Air Meet 2010 at Azraq Royal Jordanian Air
Base in Azraq, Jordan
The Pakistan Army faced several problems

during its 2009 offensive against the
Taliban in North-West Pakistan. Hundreds
of thousands of Pakistanis vacated the
area when the offensive was announced
and, eventually, over two million had to be
accommodated in refugee camps. The
offensive was to be completed as quickly
as possible to allow the refugees to return
to their homes but the army's fleet attack
helicopters were not sufficient enough to
provide adequate support to infantry on
the ground. The PAF was sent into action
against the Taliban to make up for the lack
of helicopter gunships. Because the PAF
was trained and equipped to fight a
conventional war, a new "counter-terrorist
doctrine" had to be improvised.[56]
The PAF's Saffron Bandit exercise focused

on extensive training of combat personnel
to undertake COIN operations. New
equipment was inducted to improve the
PAF's joint intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. A C-130
transport aircraft was indigenously
modified for day/night ISR
operations.[56][57]
Use of laser-guided bombs was increased

to 80% of munitions used, as compared to
40% in the previous 1960s Bajaur
campaign. A small corps of ground
spotters were trained and used by the PAF,
in addition to Pakistan Army spotters, to
identify high-value targets.[58]
Prior to the Pakistan Army's offensive into

South Waziristan, the PAF attacked
militant infrastructure with 500 lb and
2000 lb bombs.[58]
A number of civilian casualties occurred

during PAF airstrikes on 10 April 2010 in
the FATA tribal region. According to
sources from the Pakistani military, the
first bombing was targeted at a gathering
of militants in a compound. Locals who
had quickly moved onto the scene of the
first airstrike to recover the dead and
wounded were then killed by a second
airstrike. While there is no confirmed death
toll, it is widely believed that at least 30
civilian deaths had occurred according to
the military approximations, whereas a
local official stated that at least 73 locals,
including women and children, were
killed.[59] A six-member committee of tribal
elders from the area tasked with finding
the exact number of civilian casualties
reported that 61 civilians were killed and
21 were wounded. This was not confirmed
by government figures but Pakistan's then-
Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq
Kayani, gave a public apology on 17
April.[60][61] It is reported that BBC News
and several other media correspondences
were not allowed to take interviews from
the injured.[62]
2019 India–Pakistan standoff
The F-16BM (S. No. 84606) from the No. 11 Squadron "Arrows" which shot down one of the Indian jets in 2019
Following the Pulwama attack in Jammu

and Kashmir, India accused involvement of
Pakistani hands in this incident. In
response, India carried outairstrikes in the
vicinity of the town of Balakot in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province,[63] several miles
inside the province's boundary with
Pakistan-administered Kashmir.[64]
Pakistan's militaryclaimed that the Indian
planes dropped their payload in an
uninhabited wooded hilltop area near
Balakot after being intercepted by PAF
fighter jets.[65]
On 27 February 2019, when a standoff

between India and Pakistan had begun,
Pakistan claimed to have struck six
targets near Indian military installations
inside Indian Controlled Kashmir, which hit
open spaces [66] through a codenamed
"Operation Swift Retort".
Indian Air Force jets were scrambled to

intercept the PAF jets inside Jammu and
Kashmir. Following the interception, a
fierce dogfight ensued and Pakistani
aircraft shot down an Indian MiG-21.[66][67]
Meanwhile a MI 17 helicopter of the Indian
Army Aviation branch carrying 6 Indian
soldiers was shot down by Indian air
defense system resulting in losses of all
crew and 6 Indian soldiers.
India stated that it had only lost a single

aircraft (a MiG-21) while claiming to have
shot down a Pakistani F-16.[68] Pakistan
rejected India's statement, stating that no
F-16s were deployed.[69] Pakistan would
later go on to accept that F-16s had been
used, but maintained that none of them
were shot down.[70] Pakistan also claimed
to have shot down a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, a
claim rejected by Indian authorities. Wing
Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who
was piloting the MiG-21 Bison, was
captured and arrested by the Pakistani
military upon being shot down. He was
held for two days before being released at
the Wagah-Attari border crossing on 1
March.[71]
Initially, Pakistani Military officials claimed

to have had two pilots in custody, one of
whom died while undergoing treatment, a
claim which was later changed to having
only Abhinandan in custody. This was
taken to be evidence of a Pakistani pilot
being shot down by some Indian
sources.[72]
2022 Pakistani airstrikes in

Afghanistan
At least 47 people were killed and 22

injured in two airstrikes by Pakistani forces
along the border with Afghanistan on 16
April 2022. The Taliban summoned
Pakistan's ambassador in Kabul and
registered their protest against the military
airstrikes inside Afghanistan.[73]
Structure
Headquarters
Air Headquarters (AHQ), Islamabad
Commands
Northern Air Command (NAC),

Peshawar
Central Air Command (CAC), Sargodha
Southern Air Command (SAC), Karachi
Air Defence Command (ADC),
Rawalpindi
Air Force Strategic Command (AFSC),
Islamabad
Training Establishments
Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur

Combat Commanders' School (CCS),
Sargodha
PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence (PAF
ACE), Sargodha
PAF Air War College, Karachi
Weapons Production Establishments
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC),

Kamra
Air Weapons Complex (AWC), Kamra
Bases
The PAF has 22 airbases of which 14 are

flying bases and 8 are non-flying bases.
Flying bases are operational bases from
which aircraft operate during both
peacetime and wartime; whereas non-
flying bases conduct either training,
administration, maintenance, air defence
operations, or mission support.[74]
Flying bases
1 PAF Base Mushaf (Sargodha)

2 PAF Base Bholari (Bholari) Jamshoro
District, Sindh
3 PAF Base Masroor (Karachi)
4 PAF Base Rafiqui (Shorkot)
5 PAF Base Peshawar (Peshawar)
6 PAF Base Murid (Chakwal)
7 PAF Base Samungli (Quetta)
8 PAF Base M.M. Alam (Mianwali)
9 PAF Base Minhas (Kamra)
10 PAF Base Nur Khan (Rawalpindi)
11 PAF Base Faisal (Karachi)
12 PAF Base Risalpur (Pakistan Air
Force Academy) (Risalpur)
13 PAF Base Shahbaz (Jacobabad)
14 PAF Base Sukkur (Dadu)
Non-flying bases
PAF Base Korangi Creek (Karachi)

PAF Base Malir (Karachi)
PAF Base Lower Topa (Murree)
PAF Base Kallar Kahar (Kallar Kahar)
PAF Base Kohat (Kohat)
PAF Base Lahore (Lahore)
PAF Base Sakesar (Sakesar)
PAF Base Kalabagh (Nathia Gali)
Squadrons
Rank structure
Structure of commissioned officer

ranks:
Rank group General/flag officer
Pakistan
Air Force
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Abbreviation MAF ACM AM AVM
Pay grade O-11 O-10 O-9 O-8
Structure of enlisted ranks:

Rank group Senior NCOs
Pakistan
Air Force
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Abbreviation CWO WO AWO Snr Te
Pay grade OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-
Civilian occupations
Gazetted Officer
Steganographer
Stenotypist
Warehouse and Factory Personnel
Clerk
Special forces
The Pakistan Air Force's Special Services

Wing (SSW) is the branch's elite special
operations fighting force. Originally coming
into existence following the Indo-Pakistani
War of 1965, the SSW is heavily modelled
off of the United States Air Force's Special
Tactics Squadrons with some elements
inspired by the United States Army
Rangers. The unit remained active but saw
little prioritization by the Pakistani military
until after the Kargil War. In late 1999, the
SSW was largely revived and restructured
for active service and is currently fielding
around 1,200 troops.
Women in the Pakistan Air Force
No nation can ever be worthy of

its existence that cannot take its
women along with the men. No
struggle can ever succeed
without women participating
side by side with men. There are
two powers in the world; one is
the sword and the other is the
pen. There is a great
competition and rivalry between
the two. There is a third power
stronger than both, that of the
women.[75]
— Quaid-e-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, c.
1947–1948
In its early history, women had been
employed by Pakistan's armed forces—
albeit in non-combat roles only. It was
commonplace to find women serving in
service branches such as the medical
corps (as nurses or in other similar
disciplines).[76] Aside from these
exceptions, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)
had remained strictly all-male throughout
its history, and women (as well as male
youths under the age of 18) were
prohibited from being deployed for
combat, despite Muhammad Ali Jinnah's
contradictory views on the subject upon
Pakistan's independence.[77] However,
since 2003, women have been allowed to
enrol in the aerospace engineering
program and others at the PAF Academy in
Risalpur—including fighter pilot training
programmes.[76][78] It has been stated that
physical and academic standards are not
compromised or exploited to favour
women, and those who do not achieve the
same performance as their male
counterparts are immediately dropped
from the course, however the level of
enforcement of this rule is unknown.
Within the structure of the PAF, a level of
segregation between the genders is
maintained in line with traditional views.
For example, early-morning parades are
performed together but some parts of
training—mainly physical exercises—are
done with males and females separated.
According to Squadron Leader Shazia
Ahmed, the officer in charge of the first
female cadets in the PAF and a
psychologist, this seems to improve the
confidence levels of women.[79]
In 2005, it was reported that two batches

in the PAF Academy's flying wing
contained at least ten women, with many
more in the engineering and aerospace
wings. One such woman—Cadet Saba
Khan from Quetta, Balochistan—applied
after reading a newspaper advertisement
stating that the PAF was seeking female
cadets. She was one of the first four
women to pass the first stages of flying
training on propeller-driven light aircraft
and move onto faster jet-powered training
aircraft.[79]
In March 2006, the PAF officially inducted

a batch of 34 fighter pilots which included
the organization's first four female fighter
pilots. Three years of training had been
completed by the pilots at PAF Academy -
Risalpur before they graduated and were
awarded their Flying Badges during the
ceremony. Certificates of honour were
handed to the successful cadets by
General Ahsan Saleem Hayat, then the
vice-chief of the Pakistan Army, who
acknowledged that the PAF was the first
branch of the Pakistani military to
introduce women to its combat units. One
of the women, Flying Officer Nadia Gul,
was awarded a trophy for best academic
achievement. The other female graduates
were Mariam Khalil, Saira Batool and the
above-mentioned Cadet Saba Khan.[76] A
second batch of pilots, including three
female pilots, graduated from the 117th
GD(P) course at PAF Academy - Risalpur in
September 2006. The Sword of Honour for
best all-round performance was awarded
to Aviation Cadet Saira Amin, the first
female pilot to win the award. Aviation
Cadet Saira Amin also had won the Asghar
Hussain Trophy for best performance in
academics.[80]
External video
A news report on the PAF's first operationally
qualified female fighter pilots. (http://www.kal
am.tv/ur/video/59712/index.html)
An interview with Ambreen Gul. (Urdu) (http

s://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OvXoQEPTp
I)
In September 2009, it was reported that

seven women had qualified as operational
fighter pilots on the Chengdu F-7, the first
female combat pilots to do so in the PAF's
history. Commanding Officer Tanvir
Piracha emphasized that if the female
pilots "are not good enough as per their
male counterparts, we don't let them fly." It
was noted that some of the female pilots
wear the hijab while others do not, as it is
an optional exception to uniform
standards should the woman wish to don
one.[81]
Religious minorities in the Pakistan

Air Force
Since its inception, religious minorities

have been free to pursue careers within the
Pakistan Armed Forces, with the exception
of Hindus until 2001. Following its
involvement in the global U.S.-led War on
Terror, Pakistan released the Hindu
minority in the country from the
discriminatory law and granted them the
same freedoms that were already present
for their Christian, Sikh and other various
counterparts.[82] Some notable religious
minority figures in the Pakistan Air Force
include: Air Vice Marshal Eric Gordon Hall,
a Christian who served as the Base
Commander of Chaklala Air Base during
the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Air
Commodore Nazir Latif and Group Captain
Cecil Chaudhry (both Christians) fought in
the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and later
helped establish the Combat Commanders
School (CCS). Wing Commander Melvin
Leslie Middlecoat was the Commanding
Officer of No. 9 Squadron during the 1965
war, he and Squadron Leader Peter Christy
fought and were KIA in the Indo-Pakistani
War of 1971. Patrick Desmond Callaghan
was another Christian officer who rose to
the rank of Air Vice Marshal.[83] Wing
Commander Ronald Felix has been a
notable Christian pilot known for being the
first to fly the jointly-built Chinese and
Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter jet since
2010 and was one of two PAF pilots flying
the JF-17 at the 2011 Izmir Air Show (htt
p://www.flying-wings.com/2011/izmir-airs
how-turkiye) in Turkey.
In 2020, the Pakistan Air Force recruited

Rahul Dev, a Hindu from Tharparkar, Sindh
in a major breakthrough for the Hindu
minority from this remote distant area of
Sindh .[82][84][85] He was commissioned as
a general duty pilot officer on 6 May
2020.[86]
Aircraft inventory
A PAC JF-17 taking off from Zhuhai Jinwan Airport
A Pakistani F-16BM in flight
A Lockheed L-100 Hercules departing RIAT 2006

A Ilyushin Il-78 over Pisa International
A Pakistani Hongdu JL-8 trainer
Combat aircraft
PAF Chengdu F-7PG in flight.
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon:

The F-16 Fighting Falcon currently
serves as the primary air fighter of the
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in addition to
its ground attack capabilities. The PAF
currently has ~75 F-16s in active service,
comprising 44 F-16AM/BM Block 15
MLU,[87][88][89] 13 F-16A/B ADF[90][91] and
18 F-16C/D Block 52+ variants.[92]
PAC/CAC JF-17 Thunder: A multirole
combat aircraft produced by Pakistan
with Chinese assistance, the JF-17 was
developed to replace Pakistan's aging
fleets of A-5, F-7P/PG, Mirage III, and
Mirage 5aircraft. Currently, 134 JF-17s
are in active service with the PAF,
comprising 47 JF-17A Block 1, 62 JF-
17A Block 2, and 25 JF-17B Block 2
variants.[93] A further 50 aircraft of the
Block III model, incorporating advanced
avionics systems and a new AESA radar,
are expected to be produced. In addition
the PAF is also expected to order 26 of
the two-seat JF-17B variant.[94] The JF-
17 is set to become the "backbone" of
the PAF alongside its fleet of American
F-16s.
Chengdu J-10C: The J-10C is a multirole
combat aircraft. In March 2022, the
initial batches of J-10s began to arrive in
Pakistan.[95]
Dassault Mirage III: Having been in
service since 1967, the Mirage III,
together with the Mirage 5, serves as the
primary strike aircraft of the PAF. The
PAF operates more than 80 Mirage III
aircraft, comprising multiple variants
including the Mirage IIIEP, IIIEL and IIIO
fighter-bomber variants, the latter of
which have been upgraded under Project
ROSE, the Mirage IIIRP reconnaissance
variant and the Mirage IIIBE, IIID, IIIDL
and IIIDP training variants, the latter of
which have also been upgraded under
Project ROSE.[96][97]
Dassault Mirage 5: The Mirage 5,
together with the Mirage III, serves as
the PAF's primary strike aircraft. The PAF
operates around 90 Mirage 5 aircraft of
multiple variants, including Mirage 5PA,
PA2, PA3 and 5F ground attack aircraft,
the latter of which have been upgraded
under Project ROSE, the Mirage 5DR
reconnaissance variant and the Mirage
5DD and DPA2 training variants.[96][97]
Chengdu F-7PG: The Chengdu F-7 serves
primarily as an interceptor, and around
140 aircraft are in service.[98] The PAF
has phased out most of its F-7P aircraft
from active service, with the remaining
aircraft set to be replaced by the JF-17
Thunder in the coming years. The F-7PG
variant remains the primary variant to
remain in service with the PAF, while the
two seat FT-7P and FT-7PG variants are
in use as operational conversion
trainers.
Special mission aircraft
Saab 2000: The PAF has been operating

the Saab 2000 using the Erieye radar as
its primary AEW&C platform since 2009.
Out of the original four Saab 2000 in
service, one was destroyed and two
were damaged in a Taliban attack on
PAF Base Minhas in August 2012. The
damaged aircraft were subsequently
repaired and put back into service. The
PAF had ordered three more Erieye
AEW&C aircraft from Saab with the first
batch having been delivered in 2017.[99]
Shaanxi Y-8: Four ZDK-03 variants,
locally designated as the Karakoram
Eagle, are also in service. These
incorporate a Chinese AESA radar
mounted on a Y-8F-600 airframe.[100]
Dassault Falcon 20: The PAF operates
three modified Dassault Falcon 20
aircraft with a primary role in electronic
warfare.
Saab 2000 ERIEYE AEW&C.
Transport aircraft
Lockheed C-130 Hercules: The C-130

Hercules has served as the backbone of
the PAF's transport fleet since its
induction in 1962. 15 aircraft, five C-
130Bs, nine C-130Es and one L-100, are
currently in service. PAF C-130s have
been upgraded with Allison T56-A-15
turboprops and extended fatigue
lives.[101][102]
CASA/IPTN CN-235: The PAF operates
three CN-235-220 STOL transporters as
medium transport, in addition to one
aircraft equipped for VIP transport
operations.
Harbin Y-12: Three Harbin Y-12 are
operated as light utility aircraft by the
PAF.
Gulfsteam IV: The PAF currently
operates two Gulfstream IV-SP variants.
Embraer Phenom 100: Approximately
four of these aircraft are in service with
the PAF for transportation purposes.
Cessna Citation Excel: Currently, only
one of these aircraft are used by the
PAF.
Aerial refuelling aircraft
Ilyushin Il-78: The PAF operates four Il-

78MPs equipped with UPAZ refuelling
pods, procured from Ukraine, as aerial
refuelling tankers. The Il-78 can also be
used as a general transporter by
removing the refuel tanks from the cargo
hold.[103]
Trainer aircraft
Il-78 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force.
PAC MFI-17 Mushshak: The Mushshak

serves as the PAF's basic trainer. The
PAF operates 120 Mushshak aircraft,
including the improved Super Mushshak
variant.
Cessna T-37 Tweet: The PAF has
operated the T-37 as a basic jet trainer
since 1962, and these have been
supplemented over the years with
additional aircraft from Turkey and the
United States.[104]
Hongdu JL-8: The K-8 is operated as an
intermediate trainer, before cadets move
on to conversion trainers. The K-8 is also
operated by the PAF's aerobatics display
team, the Sherdils.
Shenyang J-6: A small number of FT-6s
remain in service as jet trainers.
Helicopters
Aérospatiale Alouette III: The Alouette III

served as the PAF's primary search and
rescue platform since the 1960s, also
serving as a liaison aircraft.
AgustaWestland AW139: Beginning in
2018, the PAF started inducting the
AW139 to replace the venerable
Alouette. The first AW139 unit became
operational in March of that same
year.[105][106]
Mil Mi-17: The PAF also operates the Mi-
171, which serves primarily in CSAR
roles.[106]
Air defence systems
MBDA Spada 2000 – A medium altitude

air defence system consisting of a radar
with a range of 60 kilometres and four 6-
cell missile launchers that can intercept
enemy missiles and aircraft at a range
of over 20 kilometres. A contract for ten
batteries was signed when Aspide was
selected over competing systems from
Raytheon, Diehl BGT and Saab AB after
pre-contract firing tests in Pakistan with
assistance from the Italian Air Force.[107]
Reports state that Pakistan tested the
air defence system in July 2010,
following deliveries of the first few
batteries. Deliveries of all ten batteries
are reported to have been completed in
2013 with further orders possible upon
immediate request.[108] The missile
system was tested by the Range &
Instrumentation Division of SUPARCO in
synergy with the PAF. Three drones were
successfully intercepted and shot down
by the missile system following
extensive testing. With the procurement
of the Spada 2000, Pakistan reportedly
decommissioned most of its Crotale
short-range air defence missile
systems.[109]
HQ-2 – The PAF extensively uses a
Chinese adaptation of the Soviet S-75
Dvina high altitude air defence system,
with reportedly 12 or more batteries
procured in the 1970s.
HQ-9 – In October 2003, it was reported
that China had closed a deal with
Pakistan to supply an unspecified
number of FT-2000 systems, an anti-
radiation variant of the HQ-9 long-range
air defence system.[110] However, in
March 2009, a report was published
stating that Pakistan was not
considering importing the missile.[111] It
was reported in mid-2008 that Pakistan
intended to purchase a high altitude air-
missile defence system and the FD-
2000, another variant of HQ-9, was
expected to be chosen.[109][112]
AML HE 60-20: A modified version of the
French Panhard armoured vehicle
equipped with a 20mm anti-aircraft
cannon used primarily for on-base
security.[113] At least five were originally
in service in the late 1990s.[114][115]
Drone technology
On 7 September 2015, Pakistan became

the fifth nation globally to develop and use
an armed unmanned combat aerial vehicle
(drone), the NESCOM Burraq. Pakistan first
started exploring drone technology when it
acquired Falco drones from Selex Galileo
for approximately $40 million in 2008.
Since then, Pakistan has been developing
variants of the original Falco drone in the
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) in
collaboration with the Italian firm. The
Burraq was developed which was based
on the Falco's technology. By March 2015,
Pakistan was able to test-fire Burraq
armed with an air-to-surface missile
named Barq with pin-point precision.
Burraq drones were used extensively to
provide support to the Pakistan Army
during Operation Zarb-e-Azb.[116]
Pakistan has already talked with Turkey to

manufacture parts for Anka UAV and
possibly to produce the combat drones
locally. Also the CAIG Wing Loong II UCAVs
will be produced in Pakistan with joint
collaboration with China.[117][118][119][120]
Modernisation and
acquisitions
The first F-16D Block 52 fighter of the PAF, rolled out on 13 October 2009 after undergoing flight testing in the United States
prior to delivery.
For a brief period, the Pakistan Air Force

experienced a stall in modernization
efforts, however this ended in April 2006
when the Pakistani cabinet approved the
PAF's proposals to procure new aircraft
and systems from several sources,
including modern combat aircraft from the
United States and China. The AFFDP 2019
(Armed Forces Development Programme
2019) would oversee the extensive
modernization of the PAF from 2006 to
2019.[121]
On 24 July 2008, the Bush administration

informed the U.S. Congress that it planned
to shift nearly $230 million of $300 million
in aid from counter-terrorism programs to
upgrading Pakistan's ageing F-16s.[122] The
administration had previously announced
on 27 June 2008 that it was proposing to
sell ITT Corporation's electronic warfare
gear valued at up to $75 million to enhance
Pakistan's existing inventory of F-16s.[123]
Pakistan has asked about buying as many
as 21 AN/ALQ-211(V)9 Advanced
Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare
Suite Pods (AIDEWS) as well as other
related equipment.[124] The proposed sale
will ensure that the existing fleet is
"compatible" with new F-16 Block 50/52
fighters being purchased by Islamabad.
After 9/11, the U.S. and Pakistan began

discussing the release of the embargoed
F-16s and Pakistan's ability to purchase
new aircraft. Of the 28 F-16A/B built under
the Peace Gate III/IV contracts and
embargoed in 1990, 14 were delivered as
EDA (Excess Defense Articles) from 2005
to 2008,[125] two of which were delivered
on 10 July 2007.[126]
Between 2005 and 2008, 14 F-16A/B Block

15 OCU fighters were delivered to the PAF
under renewed post-9/11 ties between the
U.S. and Pakistan. These had originally
been built for Pakistan under the Peace
Gate III/IV contracts but were never
delivered due to the subsequent U.S. arms
embargo imposed on Pakistan in 1990.[127]
To upgrade the F-16A/B fleet, 32 Falcon

STAR kits were purchased for the original
Peace Gate I aircraft and 35 Mid-Life
Update (MLU) kits were ordered, with 11
more MLU kits optional. Four F-16A/B
being upgraded in the U.S. to F-16AM/BM
had an expected delivery date of
December 2011.[125] F-16A/B in the PAF's
service were to be upgraded starting in
October 2010 by Turkish Aerospace
Industries, at a rate of one per
month.[128][129]
The Peace Drive I contract for 12 F-16C

and six F-16D Block 52+ (Advanced Block
52) aircraft, powered by F100-PW-229
engines was signed on 30 September
2006.[130][131] The first F-16 to be
completed, an F-16D, was rolled out on 13
October 2009 and began flight testing
immediately.[132][133][134][135][136] The first
batch of F-16C/D Block 52+, two F-16D
and one F-16C landed at PAF Base
Shahbaz, Jacobabad, on 26 June
2010.[137][138][139] One more F-16C was
received by 5 July 2010.[140]
On 13 December 2008, the Government of

Pakistan stated that two Indian Air Force
aircraft were intercepted by the Pakistan
Air Force a few kilometres inside Pakistani
airspace. This charge is denied by the
Indian government.[141]
During talks with a delegation from the

French Senate on 28 September 2009,
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani stated
that the PAF had used most of its
stockpile of laser-guided munitions
against militants in the Malakand and
FATA regions and that replacements for
such types of equipment were urgently
required.[142]
PAF ZDK-03 AEW&C in flight.
In December 2009, Pakistan saw the

delivery of the PAF's first Saab 2000 Erieye
AEW&C from Sweden and an Il-78MP
aerial refuelling tanker/military transport
aircraft from Ukraine.[143][144][145]
The PAF was reported to be considering

purchasing the Chinese Hongdu L-15
advanced jet trainer to train pilots for high-
tech fighters such as the FC-20. Extensive
evaluations of the aircraft took place in
Pakistan in December 2009.[146][147]
According to Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Rao

Qamar Suleman (then Chief of Air Staff),
the new fighters would eliminate the PAF's
limitations in conducting precision night-
time strike operations,[148] as the existing
capability was based on around 34
Dassault Mirage 5 fighters upgraded with
new avionics for night-time precision strike
missions under the Retrofit of Strike
Element (ROSE) programme during 1999–
2004.[149][150][151] The SABIR (Special
Airborne Mission Installation & Response
System), a FLIR system that has Brite Star
II and Star Safire III EO/IR sensors installed
on a C-130 saw extensive usage during the
Pakistani military's operations against
militants in the FATA region.
In 2021, Pakistan agreed to buy 36

Chengdu J-10CP multirole fighter aircraft
from China to counter the Dassault Rafale
which India bought from France.[152]
On March 11, 2022, PAF inducted modern
J-10C fighter aircraft in its fleet, the formal
ceremony was conducted at the Minhas
Airbase Kamra.[153][154]
Planned acquisitions
Mass production of the PAC JF-17

Thunder A Block-3, a 4.5 generation
aircraft, is underway to replace the F-16 as
the "backbone" of the Pakistan Air Force's
arsenal. After every 3–5 years, newer
blocks of the aircraft are expected to be
produced. Pakistan has been in extensive
talks with China to acquire between 40 and
60 upgraded fifth-generation Shenyang FC-
31 stealth fighter aircraft (J-31 for short).
The TAI TF-X, another fifth-generation
aircraft under development by Turkey
(intended to operate with critical assets
such as the American F-35 Lightning II) has
also been a viable offer for Pakistan, as
these fighters can greatly strengthen the
PAF's fleet before the country's own fifth-
generation fighter is developed under
Project Azm. Pakistan is also reportedly
working on developing a strong arsenal of
UAVs alongside China's CAIG GJ-2 MALE-
UCAV.[155]
Project Azm
On 7 July 2017, the Pakistan Air Force

announced the development of a fifth-
generation fighter aircraft, a medium-
altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial
vehicle (MALE UAV) and munitions under
the banner of Project Azm (Urdu for
resolve/determination).[156][157][158][159][160]
Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sohail Aman
stated that the design phase for the MALE
UAV was in its final stages.[156][160]
Military exercises
A PAF Mirage III of the No. 7 Bandits Squadron alongside a US Navy F-18 and F-16s of the USAF and RJAF.
The Pakistan Air Force sent a contingent

of six F-16 A/B fighters to the 2004
international Anatolian Eagle exercise in
Turkey.[161][162] In 2005, after around one
year of planning, the PAF held the High
Mark 2005 military exercise which lasted
for one month and also involved the
Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy. The
scenario saw two opposing forces,
Blueland and Foxland, engaging in
simulated combat which involved both
offensive and defensive operations. It was
stated that the exercise would consist of
three stages and PAF aircraft would fly
around 8200 sorties. The involvement of
units from the Pakistan Army and Navy
was aimed at providing more realistic
operational scenarios. High Mark 2005
followed the Tempest-1 military exercise
which was focused purely on air power but
differed in terms of the duration, intensity
and complexity of all air operations being
conducted.[163]
In 2008, the Turkish Air Force sent five F-
16C/D fighters and 50 personnel from 191
Cobras Squadron to Pakistan to take part
in the joint Indus Viper exercise at PAF
Base Mushaf.[162]
In the summer of 2005, a PAF team of 20

airmen, including pilots, navigators,
engineers, maintenance technicians and a
C-130E was sent to the United States to
take part in the AMC (Air Mobility
Command) Rodeo.[164] The PAF again took
part in the AMC Rodeo two years later, in
July 2007.[165][166]
In 2009, while undertaking combat
operations against militants in the FATA
and Swat regions, the PAF initiated the
Saffron Bandit exercise with the aim of
training the PAF's entire combat force to
undertake such anti-terrorist
operations.[167][168]
In December 2009, the PAF sent six

Chengdu F-7PG fighters of No. 31 Wing
based at PAF Base Samungli to the United
Arab Emirates to take part in the Air
Tactics Leadership Course (ATLC)—also
known as Exercise Iron Falcon—at Al
Dhafra Air Base.[169][170][171]
The PAF's High Mark 2010 exercise was
launched on 15 March 2010, the first time
a High Mark exercise had been conducted
since 2005, after all PAF received their Air
Tasking Orders (ATO). The country-wide
exercise involved units based all over
Pakistan, from Skardu to the Arabian Sea,
at all Main Operating Bases and Forward
Operating Bases. Joint operations
involving the Pakistan Army and Pakistan
Navy were also conducted, aiming to test
and improve integration and co-operation
between the three branches of the
Pakistan Armed Forces. Operations
emphasized a near-realistic simulation of
a wartime environment, exposure of PAF
aircrews to contemporary concepts of air
combat, new employment concepts and
joint operations between the Pakistan Air
Force, Army and Navy. New inductions
such as the JF-17 Thunder, Saab 2000
Erieye AEW&C and Il-78 MRTT also saw
service in this exercise.[172] On 6 April
2010, the end of the first phase of exercise
High Mark 2010 was celebrated with a 90-
minute firepower demonstration at the
PAF's firing range facility in the deserts of
Thal. The H-2 SOW was also shown to the
public for the first time, being launched
from around 60 km away before hitting its
target, and a mock counter-insurgency
operation was performed by participating
forces. The demo heralded the beginning
of High Mark 2010's second phase, where
the PAF would practice joint operations
with the Pakistan Army during its own
exercise Azm-e-Nau-3 (New Resolve
3).[173] During High Mark 2010, a Chengdu
F-7 and Mirage 5 fighter practiced landing,
refuelling and take-off operations from a
motorway. It was reported that the PAF is
in negotiations with the Ministry of
Communications to set up any required
facilities for PAF operations on various
motorways in Pakistan.[174][175]
A PAF Mirage III competes in the Alert Scramble Competition during the 2010 Falcon Air Meet in Jordan.
In July 2010, the PAF sent six F-16B

fighters of No. 9 Griffins Squadron and 100
PAF personnel to Nellis Air Force Base in
the U.S. to participate in the international
Red Flag exercise for the first time. During
the exercise, the PAF pilots practiced in-
flight refuelling with their F-16s using the
Boeing KC-135
Stratotanker.[176][177][178][179][180]
External video
Mirage III ROSE fighters of the PAF's No. 7
Bandits Squadron take part in the Falcon Air
Meet 2010 exercise. (https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=iA75Yq4dHQU)
In October 2010, the PAF's No. 7 Bandits

Squadron sent a team of its Dassault
Mirage III ROSE fighters to Jordan to
participate in the Falcon Air Meet 2010
exercise at the Azraq Royal Jordanian Air
Base.[181][182] January 2011 saw a PAF
contingent of F-16A/B and Dassault
Mirage fighters take part in the Al-Saqoor II
exercise in Saudi Arabia with the Royal
Saudi Air Force.[183][184][185]
In March 2011, a joint Sino-Pakistani
exercise, codenamed Shaheen-1, was
conducted involving a contingent of
Chinese aircraft and personnel from the
PLAAF.[186] Information on which aircraft
were used by each side in the exercise
remained classified, but photos of
Pakistani pilots inspecting what appeared
to be Chinese Shenyang J-11B fighters
were released on the internet. The exercise
lasted for around four weeks and was the
first time the PLAAF had deployed to
Pakistan and conducted "operational"
aerial manoeuvres with the PAF.[187]
Involvement in Pakistani
society
The Pakistan Air Force, alongside other
branches of the armed forces has played
an integral part in the civil society of
Pakistan since its inception.[188] In 1996,
General Jehangir Karamat described the
Pakistani military's relations with
Pakistan's populace:
In my opinion, if we have to
repeat of past events then we
must understand that military
leaders can pressure only up to
a point. Beyond that their own
position starts getting
undermined because the
military is after all is a mirror
image of the civil society from
which it is drawn.
— General Jehangir Karamat

on civil society–military
relations, [188]
In times of natural disaster such as the

chaotic floods of 1992 or the October
2005 earthquake, PAF engineers, medical
and logistics personnel alongside the rest
of the armed forces played a major role in
bringing relief aid and supplies to those
who were affected.[189]
In addition to the PAF's involvement in

relief activities at home, it has also helped
the Pakistani military's responses to
natural disasters in many other countries
globally.[189] The PAF was involved in the
dispatching of relief to Indonesia,
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka after they were
hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
and tsunami. Coordinating a synergized
response, the Pakistan Armed Forces sent
ships and helicopters with aid and
personnel to assist in the international
relief operation.[189]
In popular culture
In Pakistani literature, the shaheen falcon
has a special association with the poetry
of the country's national poet, Allama
Muhammad Iqbal.[190] The bird also
appears on the official representative
badge of the Pakistan Air Force.
Various Urdu-language drama serials on

the PAF have been written, produced,
directed, and televised nationwide.
Notable Urdu drama serials and films
involving the PAF are Shahpar and Sherdil,
which were televised on PTV and ARY
Digital, respectively.[191]
Notable personnel
M.M. Alam, aka Little Dragon
Squadron Leader Najeeb Ahmed Khan aka 8-Pass Charlie
The Nishan-e-Haider (Urdu: ‫نشان حیدر‬,

lit. 'Mark of Ali'), is the highest military
award of Pakistan, and is roughly
equivalent in value to the United States'
Medal of Honor. Pilot Officer Rashid
Minhas (1951 – 20 August 1971) is the
only officer of the PAF to have been
awarded the Nishan-e-Haider for
sacrificing his life to save an aircraft from
being hijacked to India.[192]
Other notable recipients of major military

awards include:
Air Commodore Muhammad Mahmood

Alam – awarded for downing nine
fighters[193] (of which five were downed
within one minute[194][195][196][197][198]) of
the Indian Air Force in direct air-to-air
combat.[199] (Sitara-e-Jurat)
Air Commodore Najeeb Ahmed Khan –
B-57 Canberra bomber pilot who raided
the Adampur Airbase several times
during the 1965 war.
Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed
Rafiqui – awarded for refusing to
abandon his group of fighters during a
battle despite his guns being jammed.
He continued his attempts to assist his
squadron in the battle by chasing enemy
fighters until eventually being shot
down.[200] (Hilal-e-Jurat, Sitara-e-Jurat)
Nur Khan
See also
Air Force Strategic Command
List of Pakistan Air Force bases
List of Pakistan Air Force squadrons
List of retired Pakistan Air Force aircraft
Special Services Wing - (SSW)
Pakistan Air Force Museum
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
Notes
1. Pāk is a term commonly used in South Asia
(as well as outside of it) to refer to the
country of Pakistan or anything related to it.
In terms of pronouncing the words for the
Pakistan Air Force in Urdu, the full form—
Pākistān—would be used, with the
respective spelling in Urdu being: ''‫پاکستان‬
‫''ہوائی فوج‬
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External links
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The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) (Urdu: ‫پاک‬

Badge of the Pakistan Air Force

Founded 14 August 1947

Type Air force

Role Aerial warfare[1]

Size 70,000 total active

Part of Pakistan Armed

Headquarters Air Headquarters

Motto(s) Urdu: ‫قوم کا سرمایہ‬

Anniversaries Air Force Day: 7

Engagements Major conflicts and

1999 Kargil War

First Afghan Civil

Chairman Joint General Sahir

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal

Vice Chief of Air Air Marshal Syed

Electronic 2000 Erieye

Reconnaissance Mirage IIIRP, Jasoos I

Trainer MFI-17 Mushshak,

Transport C-130B/E/L-100, CN-

Tanker Ilyushin Il-78

1959 Indian aerial intrusion

On 10 April 1959, on the occasion of the

Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

The PAF fleet at the time consisted of 12

Many publications have credited the PAF's

Sajad Haider, who flew with No. 19

Per India, most of the aircraft losses of the

The two countries have made

Despite the intense fighting throughout the

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

PAF B-57 Canberra bombers lined up at an airbase.

Hostilities officially ended at 14:30 GMT on

In 1979, the PAF's Chief of Air Staff, Air

Due to rising tensions with the Soviet Union

A letter of agreement for up to 28 F-16A

Between May 1986 and November

The PAF is believed to have evaluated the

U.S. arms embargo (1990–2001)

After the Pressler amendment was

Desperate for a new high-tech combat

In mid-1992, Pakistan was close to signing

In mid-1994, it was reported that Russian

The Pakistan Air Force is believed to have

2008 post-Mumbai attacks air alert

After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the

An initial investigation report revealed that

On the detection of an intrusion, PAF jets

However, the fact that so many non-stealth

The Pakistan Army faced several problems

The PAF's Saffron Bandit exercise focused

Use of laser-guided bombs was increased

Prior to the Pakistan Army's offensive into

A number of civilian casualties occurred

Following the Pulwama attack in Jammu

On 27 February 2019, when a standoff

Indian Air Force jets were scrambled to

India stated that it had only lost a single

Initially, Pakistani Military officials claimed