Simple as that PAF will Counter IAF's new aircraft with superior Pilots(INSALLAH).
This should be kept in mind:
IAF deployments in Kashmir , for what came to be known as Operation Safedsagar, commenced on 15 May and the bulk of operational assets were positioned by 18 May. 150 combat aircraft were deployed, as follows:
Srinagar 34 (MiG-21, MiG23, MiG-27)
Awantipur 28 (MiG-21, MiG29, Jaguar)
Udhampur 12 (MiG-21)
Pathankot 30 (MiG-21, MiG-23)
Adampur 46 (Mir-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar)
One-third of the aircraft were modern, high-threat fighters equipped with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles....
...While the Indians had been surprised by the infiltration in Kargil, the IAF mobilised and reacted rapidly as the Indian Army took time to position itself. Later, when the Indian Army had entrenched itself, the IAF supplemented and filled in where the artillery could not be positioned in force. Clearly, Army-Air Joint Operations had a synergistic effect in evicting the intruders. ...
...There was no doubt in the minds of PAF Air Staff that the first cross-border attack (whether across LOC or the international border) would invite an immediate response from the IAF in the shape of a retaliatory strike against the home base of the intruding fighters, thus starting the first round. PAFs intervention meant all-out war: this unmistakable conclusion was conveyed to the Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif by PAFs Chief of Air Staff in no equivocal terms. ...
...The over-arching consideration was the BVR missile capability of IAF fighters which unfavourably impinged on the mission success probability. The conclusion was that a replication of the famous four-Vampire rout of 1st September 1965 by two Sabres might not be possible. A fighter sweep thus came to be a non-starter....
...While the PAF looked at some offensive options, it had a more pressing defensive issue at hand. The IAFs minor border violations during recce missions were not of grave consequence, in so far as no bombing took place in our territory; however, the fact that these missions helped the enemy refine its air and artillery targeting, was, to say the least, disconcerting. There were constant reports of our troops on the LOC disturbed to see (or hear) IAF fighters operating with apparent impunity. ... and so on
PAF in Kargil : A PAF warrior speaks out Pak Tea House
The bottom line is, since Kargil it is evident that the clear BVR superiority of IAF is the biggest problem for PAF. Not that IAF has more fighters, or that they now have Flankers, but the simple fact that even good PAF pilots with F16 B15 were most likely shot down way before they can prove their skills in dog fights.
In todays warfare with BVR missiles, lower RCS, AWACS and soon even stealth capabilities, the skill of a pilot in engaging an opponent is less important that it was in the past. Today you try to detect an enemy before he can and shoot first, that has nothing to do with skill, but with technology.
That's why PAF is countering this disadvantage by upgrading and new procuring of real 4th gen fighters (F16s and JF 17). In numbers and even in capability they still can't match IAF, but at least the clear
superiority in BVR will be reduced.
Regarding PAFs defense capabilities, I said it in the Indian defense section often too, not the new F16s, or JF 17 will be a problem for IAF in this decade, but the induction of AWACS in PAF! This capability is way more important for the defense than trying to counter the MKI for example 1 on 1. If you can detect it before it can cross border, you can also send fighters to engage them and if you could even guide BVR missiles via data links, even SD 10 will be a problem, let alone AMRAAM.
Exactly the same problem that PAF has now against IAF, although they Bisons won't win a dogfight against PAFs F16s, in BVR with MKI, or AWACS guidance, they will be more than a problem for these superior fighters.
That's why I don't see any alternative for IAF than procuring fighters with very low RCS for the future like the Euro Canards (through MMRCA), or 5. gen fighters like Pak Fa. These will be detected sooner, or later too, but will give the superiority again back to IAF.
First sight, first shoot!
Just my 2 cents about this, btw for Indian members that report should be interesting too, because it is always good to see things from a different point of view!
) making u say so..?
