PAF Pilots capable of teaching lesson to much larger and advanced IAF: Air Chief

PAF Pilots capable of teaching lesson to much larger and advanced IAF: Air Chief

FORWARD OPERATIONAL BASE (FOB): Pakistan is a peace loving nation but any misadventure by the adversary will be taught a lesson to be remembered for ages.

This was stated by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Suhail Aman while responding to a question in a stake out with the media persons, after flying Mirage fighter jet at the PAF base Qadri in Skardu at the foothills of Siachin – the world’s highest battleground.


He said the PAF is a battle hardened force which is ranked as the best airforce of the world.


He said the nation has full trust in the armed forces of the country which have been carrying out operations in synergy and no one should take into account any statements from across the border.


Referring to the operation Zarb-e-Azb, he said the PAF has taken active part in the operation for about two and half years. During this entire period not even a single incident of “collateral damage”
had ever taken place, which speaks volumes about the professionalism
and level precise preparedness of PAF’s fighter pilots, officers and men.


He said no other airforce of the world that had been taking part in such operations could set such a record for avoiding collateral damage.


Giving details about his visit to the FOB, he said the PAF has been carrying out routine training activity, called summer exercise where different fighting squadrons of the airforce have been taking part to sharpen their cutting edge further.


“Every one knows, so we need not to tell anyone that we should get ready and prepared – We remain vigilant 24/7. We do not need to circulate amongst our force to become ready or prepared.”
He agreed with the questioner that air-to-air refuelling capability had not increased access of the PAF fighter jets but also their endurance.


“We are defending every inch of our country and will maintain it at every cost,” he said in a firm tone.


When his attention was drawn towards a large number of hightech aircraft were part of the inventory of the adversary, he
said, “We are not impressed with the technology or number – No situation whatsoever is difficult or challenging for PAF.”


He said in case any one thought of engaging into adventure or misadventure it will be their miscalculation. “We will respond with
full force which is in accordance to the policy of the state.”


He told a questioner may it be Radd ul Fasaad or Zarb-e-Azb  PAF had been actively participating in these operations. On the air surveillance sector, he said, the SAB aircraft
which had damaged, have now once again became operational while
acquiring more equipment was on cards.


He said Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra had been making day in and day out efforts to manufacture the world class aircraft JF-17 thunder as well as other equipments.


He said the PAC had recently boosted its production of fighter jets to thrice as compared to the past. He said PAC had successfully completed a two-year study
on the indigenously manufactured fighter aircraft, which will go a long way in further modernization of the flying machines.


He said JF-17 fighter jet has been equipped with the modern weaponry and gadgets whereby making it a modern flying fighting ship. About the next generation aircraft, he said active
perceptions were continued on this subject.


The chief of air staff visited the Qadri Air Base and reviewed exercises and operational preparedness of Pakistan Air Force (PAF). He was given detailed briefing on the exercise. Later, he
interacted with the airmen, pilots and officers of his force.


He himself took part in the exercises, with the notion of “leading from the front” and flew a six-decade old Mirage aircraft for around 30 minutes to have a bird eye view of the geographical
boundary in the vicinity of Siachin.


The PAF has the honour of flying these ages old aircraft after refurbishing and overhauling indigenously to attain efficiency and precise accuracy, matching the present day needs