PAF Scramble Time!!!

[Blackpearl]

I am really interested to know what is the scamble time of PAF.

On the map, Pakistan does not hav much of strategic depth. The min average distance goes from 300-400 KM, which is not much to give our fighter intercepters to interdict the invader. Now we are facing threats from two sides:> Eastern Border and Afghan Western border.

As all our Air Defence system is ground based, with no AWACS (persumeably),
how, we are going to react and launch our inerceptors.

This thing becomes all more importance, on western border, as area is mountainous. Any low flying helicopters (Coalition Forces AH-64s and Cobra helicopters), get a cover in North/South Waziristan, while enteringPakistan (if they really mean business), will go undetected.

So how Pakistan Air Force is going to respond? What fighters will be committed by PAF?

 

[x_man]

On the basis of airspace, PAF has Northern, Central and Southern Air Commands. Although we have Western Air command but it’s not functional as rest of commands but Samungli gives ADA when required. ADA duties are performed simultaneously in each of the command. For example in Central air command, Sargodha and Rafiqi share ADA, in NAC, we have Peshawar and PAF Minhas ( attock) and obviously Masroor in SAC.

The two main types of scrambles are:-

** Standard Scramble time is 6 minutes from ADA hut: It means that pilots are sitting in ADA hut with G-suit on and in a ready state. Phone rings, siren goes off, pilots pick their helmets, dash to their aircrafts, jump in, quickly strap up, taxi out , line up and take off with full after burners…..every thing from hut to take off should take 6 minutes.

** Cockpit standby time is 3 minutes. Sometimes when radar picks an aircraft that is lurking close to International border but not a threat yet, ADA pilots are ordered to sit in the cockpits with radios on and wait for the instructions. If the aircraft becomes a threat, then a scramble is ordered and can be carried out within 3 minutes as pilots were already sitting in cockpit.

During escalation in 2001, we had few cockpit standbys that lasted for hours and thank god it was winters, otherwise it actually become extremely difficult to sit in that cramped space of cockpit with helmet and G-suit on for hours. But at the same time during those cockpit standbys, your heart is pumping hard in excitement and anticipation that may be time has come to get some real action that one has been training for years.

 

[x_man]

Now we are facing threats from two sides:> Eastern Border and Afghan Western border.

As all our Air Defence system is ground based, with no AWACS (persumeably),
how, we are going to react and launch our inerceptors.

This thing becomes all more importance, on western border, as area is mountainous. Any low flying helicopters (Coalition Forces AH-64s and Cobra helicopters), get a cover in North/South Waziristan, while enteringPakistan (if they really mean business), will go undetected.

Whats the threat from West ???? Are these Coalition helicopters ?? Why would PAF jets will scramble against Coalition assets ? Since when they have become threat for us....I thought we were on their side on the war of terror. Coalition aircrafts will also never cross Pakistan's border without prior permission even if they need to. There are people in Air Defence command to take care of this. No worries please

 

[mujahideen]

Can someone also tell me how often do our F-16's fly?

 

[Blackpearl]

Thanks Sir x-man, for an elaborate answer.

As far as crossing by Coalition forces aircarft is concerned, I assume, there is a likelyhood, that US aviation may mount a sort of probing incursion, just to check our operational readyniess and response time. The recent statements of some of the US Congressmen are, indeed threatening.

On the other hand, President Musharraf, has strongly warned for any uninvited venture in our territory. Scrambling of aircraft, directing the aircarft to western borders, will definitely, be picked up by radio communication ands radar blips on the scopes of US Early Warning Systems, operating over Iraq. The PAF aintercepters, understandabely, will never have the orders to get into combat situation or chase of the intruders. However, they may escort the plane out of the Pakistani airspace. This is just a demonstration of a sort of showing a body language.

My question remains, what type of aircarft will be intercepting, F-7, F-16 or JF-17.

 

[Blackpearl]

Some other questions..

1. What is the night interception capability of PAF. Do pilots use night vision system or not. How in the night, pilots visually identify the aircrfat,either its a frieldly or a bogey.

2. In movies, i have seen, that interceptor aircarft closes on to the intruder and pilot gives a massage on communication system to the other pilot of hostile aircraft. Does this really happens in real world.

 

[EagleEyes]

Yes it does. If the hostile aircraft does not obligue, it can even be shot.
This is what happened to Atlantique when it intruded Indian waters.

Atlantique wasn't a hostile aircraft for your information. It didn't even have any weapons.

The hostile aircraft is which posses danger to a nation. During the time of Kargil two MIG aircrafts were shot down by Pakistan for conducting ground targetting in the Pakistan area.

 

[Muradk]

Some other questions..

1. What is the night interception capability of PAF. Do pilots use night vision system or not. How in the night, pilots visually identify the aircrfat,either its a frieldly or a bogey.

2. In movies, i have seen, that interceptor aircarft closes on to the intruder and pilot gives a massage on communication system to the other pilot of hostile aircraft. Does this really happens in real world.

You dont work for Air Intelligence Directorate of IAF do you.

 

[Muradk]

Yes it does. If the hostile aircraft does not obligue, it can even be shot.
This is what happened to Atlantique when it intruded Indian waters.

And small question for the Indian members, i am sure you have resources to find my answer.
You Interior minister of Punjab died in 1971 war, How did he die?

 

[solid snake]

I know for a fact that it takes as long as 15 minutes for the F-16 to startup. When the pilot starts the Jet fuel starter, it takes a few minutes for the main engine to get going. Then the pilot turns on the inertial navigation system which also takes a while to get going. I think the shortest time a skilled pilot could start the plane from off to afterburner is 5 minutes.

Yes it does. If the hostile aircraft does not obligue, it can even be shot.
This is what happened to Atlantique when it intruded Indian waters.

That was an unarmed Navy plane which was inside Pakistan when it was shot down in a cowardly act by the Indian Air Force. The IAF was still smarting from the 2 jets that Pakistan shot down, so they took advantage of this situation - it was quite clear the IAF had been waiting for an opportunity like this for quite some time. The Atlantique fell well inside Pakistan. Not possible if it had been shot inside India.

 

[Blackpearl]

What about my earlier queries
Can PAF fight back intruders at night?

 

[A.Rahman]

Any more irreverent discussion about Atlantique will be rewarded with a ban.

Take care.

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

Any more irreverent discussion about Atlantique will be rewarded with a ban.

Take care.

So what is the Scramble time of IAF.

 

[A.Rahman]

Atlantique has been discussed many times, you can continue it here:

http://www.defence.pk/forums/think-tank-group/7457-picture-all-paf-bases.html#post102380

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

We are discussing about PAF, and we sure did got some answers.

Not about IN!....