KARACHI – PAF JF 17 fighter jet has achieved another milestone bysuccessfully launching a long range Anti ship cruise missile from theplatform. The cruise missile was launched today in the Arabian Sea.
Very few Air Forces have this standoff cruise missiles launching capabilityand only superpowers have the capacity to launch cruise missiles from theindigenous built fighter jets.
In an impressive demonstration of fire power and combat readiness, PakistanNavy and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Monday conducted long range anti-shipcruise missile firings.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi along with Chief ofthe Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman witnessed the Live WeaponFiring onboard Pakistan Navy Ship NASR, said a statement issued byDirectorate of Public Relations of Pakistan Navy.The Firing was conducted by JF-17 fighter aircraft and Pakistan Navy ShipSAIF which is a multi mission F-22P frigate.
Upon arrival, Chief of the Air Staff was received by Chief of the NavalStaff onboard PNS NASR, a combat logistic support ship. Joint PN-PAFfirings were conducted on the final day of Exercise RIBAT-18, which wasfocused on validating war fighting concepts under the evolving multifaceted threats.
The hallmark of exercise was successful firings of C-802 AK (Air to SurfaceMissile) by PAF JF-17 Thunder aircraft and C-802 (Surface to SurfaceMissile) by PNS SAIF.Missiles launched from both platforms, successfully hit their intendedtargets, which not only re-asserts the efficacy of weapon systems but alsomanifests the extended range of Joint PN-PAF Sea-Air operations and desiredsynergy between the two Services.
On this landmark occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff expressed his utmostsatisfaction on operational readiness of PN Fleet and commended officersand men for their professionalism and devotion in the line of duty.
The Admiral also added that Pakistan Navy was transforming into a strongand formidable force fully capable to protect and advance the nationalmaritime interests and collaborate international responsibilities acrossthe Indian Ocean.