Old/New Articles and News item about PAF

[ghazi52]

Pakistan Forges Closer Defense Ties With China

September 1997

WASHINGTON: Continued U.S. restrictions on arms sales to Pakistan will propel Islamabad even further in the direction of a strategic partnership with Beijing, its principal source of conventional weaponry and nuclear missile-related technology.

Specifically, Pakistani officials said the continued stalemate over 28 F-16s, paid for by Pakistan but embargoed by Washington since the October 1990 imposition of nonproliferation sanctions, leaves them no choice but to accelerate development of the Chinese FC-1, a multirole fighter formerly known as the Super-7.

In an interview in Zhuhai, China, last November, Yang Ying, deputy managing director for the Beijing-based China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp., said production of the first prototype would depend on added investment by Pakistan, which also has funded most of China's K-8 trainer program.

The Pakistani officials added that China has offered to include Islamabad in other air combat projects, such as the J-10 fighter, or eventual Chinese production of Russian-designed Su-27 planes.

"China already is a key ally. We have enjoyed a very special relationship with them for quite some time ... and I would expect that relationship to deepen in the future, especially absent a more balanced, equitable policy from the United States," Tariq Fatemi, an official at the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said May 20. He accompanied Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan on an official visit to Washington May 19-20.

He added, "If we cannot take delivery of our F-16s and we cannot purchase the edish-built JAS 39> Gripen because the U.S. will not grant the necessary export licenses, then we must pursue our options with China."

However, Lars Jonsson, spokesman for Gripen producer Saab AB, Linköping, Sweden, said May 22 the firm has not applied for a U.S. export license for a sale to Pakistan. He said that is because such a sale "is nothing that we are considering at present." A U.S. export license is required because the Swedish plane is powered by an engine made by General Electric Aircraft Engines, Cincinnati.

Pakistani government and military sources said they essentially have discounted the French Mirage 2000-5, long under negotiation, because of its high price. However, French officials regard such talk as negotiating tactics.

Jean-Pierre Robillard, communications director for Mirage-maker Dassault Aviation, Vaucresson, France, said May 22 that Pakistan's new austerity budget, and not the price of the aircraft, is responsible for negotiating problems. He said Pakistan's Air Force leaders still consider the fighter best suited to the country's needs.

"This is a standard negotiating ploy, and Pakistan would not be a good buyer if it didn't play it," a senior French government official said May 22.

Ken Allen, a former U.S. Air Force attaché and analyst of Chinese air combat capabilities, said the FC-1 could end up costing almost as much as a Western-built fighter. "There's this myth out there that anything built in China will be cheap, but with the FC-1, practically everything but the labor is foreign," he said.

In a May 23 interview, Allen said the Chinese never have revealed expected unit costs of the FC-1. "It's probably going to be a good aircraft when it finally comes out. But keep in mind that the Chinese Air Force is not buying it. So the FC-1 will be built for export only, and of course that jacks up the price tag." A Pakistani military official said his country's first choice remains the F-16. "We selected that aircraft a long time ago. That's the one we want ... but it doesn't look like the political situation will change any time soon," he said May 21.

In a May 19 address sponsored by the Henry L. Stimson Center, a think tank here, Khan criticized U.S. sanctions mandated under a 1985 law championed by former Sen. Larry Pressler, R-S.D., as discriminatory because there are no similar sanctions against India. Former U.S. President George Bush invoked the so-called Pressler sanctions in 1990, citing inability to certify Pakistan had abandoned nuclear weapon development.

Khan reiterated Pakistani demands that Washington release the embargoed F-16s or refund the $658 million Pakistan has paid for the planes. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's option to sue for compensation. Moreover, Khan said he would like to see an extension of waivers contained in an amendment sponsored by former Sen. Hank Brown, R-Colo., so Pakistani military officers could train in the United States.

Pakistani officials with Khan further suggested a new interpretation of the Brown amendment could facilitate export approval for the Gripen. However, Pentagon and State Department sources said such approval likely would be viewed by lawmakers as White House attempts to circumvent the spirit of the Pressler sanctions.

Khan met recently with U.S. officials, on May 19 with Walter Slocomb, undersecretary of defense for policy, and May 20 with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. U.S. officials attending both meetings said specific proposals pertaining to relaxation of sanctions or restrictions on exports were not discussed.

"The conversation was very broad-based. We made it very clear that our paramount concern in South Asia was not to create a potential for nuclear confrontation. They suggested that the Pressler Amendment is an uneven law. Then both sides lamented that we couldn't go further to support their existing capabilities," a Pentagon official told Defense News May 20.

 

[peagle]

Thanks.

Aray yaar, do you not know how much we enjoy your contributions, I always wonder where you get the energy from, we, I for one, are extremely grateful, probably more then you realise.

My heart feels happy to come across Pakistanis like you, thank you so much.

 

[ghazi52]

PAF takes delivery of HAMC Y-12 (II) Light Transport Aircraft
April 1998

The Pakistan Air Force has recently taken delivery of at least one HAMC Y-12 (II) twin-turboprop STOL, general purpose transport aircraft from China.

The aircraft is now in service for liaison and light transport duties at Chaklala Air Base in Rawalpindi with No. 6 Squadron, which also operates the PAF's C-130B/E Hercules fleet.

 

[ghazi52]

40 Armee de' l'Air Dassault Mirage IIIs and Vs delivered to the PAF

April 1998

Deliveries have commenced to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) of the first of 40 surplus French Armee de' l'Air Dassault Mirage III and V fighters following upgrade work carried out by Sagem and Sogerma in France.

The deal has been shrouded in controversy. The first refurbished aircraft under the deal, known as Blue Flash 6 , was flown in November 1997 and has now been delivered to Pakistan. The 40 Mirage fighters were originally to be acquired at a total cost of $18 million and refurbishment carried out by the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF) and the Mirage Rebuild Factory (MRF) at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra. Allegedly, the deal changed overnight and was awarded to the two French companies - total cost of the project went up to $30 million which ultimately led to the sacking of Pakistan's Rear Admiral Director-General of the Defence Purchase Office who sanctioned the deal against the advice of the MOD.

 

[khanasifm]

40 Armee de' l'Air Dassault Mirage IIIs and Vs delivered to the PAF

April 1998

Deliveries have commenced to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) of the first of 40 surplus French Armee de' l'Air Dassault Mirage III and V fighters following upgrade work carried out by Sagem and Sogerma in France.

The deal has been shrouded in controversy. The first refurbished aircraft under the deal, known as Blue Flash 6 , was flown in November 1997 and has now been delivered to Pakistan. The 40 Mirage fighters were originally to be acquired at a total cost of $18 million and refurbishment carried out by the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF) and the Mirage Rebuild Factory (MRF) at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra. Allegedly, the deal changed overnight and was awarded to the two French companies - total cost of the project went up to $30 million which ultimately led to the sacking of Pakistan's Rear Admiral Director-General of the Defence Purchase Office who sanctioned the deal against the advice of the MOD.

Pac was busy with Australian mirages overhaul and upgrade Rose I per paf history and did not had capacity , theses rose 2 were just 19 /39 aircraft upgraded ( one crashed out of 40 in France before delivery /upgrade) , remaining aircraft were delivered as non rose and upgraded later on at Pac to Rose 3

 

[ghazi52]

DCC Discusses Options for Purchase of High-tech Aircraft

4 April 1998

ISLAMABAD: In its first meeting since the present administration assumed power early last year, the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) discussed various options to purchase new high-tech aircraft in view of the growing threat from across the borders.

"We have disposed of 50 percent agenda of the DCC, as the remaining items will be taken up in the next DCC meeting on April 16," said a senior official. The meeting, originally scheduled for April 16, was held because the "Prime Minister, in view of the long list of the items on the agenda, wished to meet today for taking up several items as all the members of the committee were present in the country," said a highly-placed source.

"The committee reviewed the prevailing regional situation," said an official announcement. The meeting also discussed various matters concerning the national security and defence. He said that the French Mirage 2000-5, Russian high-tech aircraft Su-27 and some western aircraft were some of the options the DCC discussed. "Pakistan needs new high-tech aircraft to narrow down the disparity between India and Pakistan, which has gone almost 7 to 1 in high-tech fighter planes," said a participant of the meeting.

However, in that context the issue of F-16s between the United States and Pakistan also came under discussion. "We have not yet decided to take the US government to the court, though discussions took place on this issue in the sense of policy options," said a cabinet member.

Pakistan is now facing a tight time-frame to take the US government to the court, though some people oppose it by saying that any litigation will result into another irritant between the two countries. "Filing a case is never treated as an irritant, but to settle the issue in which parties have difference of opinion," said a senior official.

 

[ghazi52]

PAF prevents hijacked PIA Fokker F-27 from entering India and forces the airliner to land at Hyderabad Airport

25 May 1998

KARACHI: Three hijackers claiming to be Indian nationals hijacked and attempted to route a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane, Flight 544, to India on Sunday, 24 May 1998, but were forced to land within the country's borders by two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-7MP fighters from Faisal Air Base, Karachi.

The hijackers were still aboard the aircraft, officials said. Initial reports indicated that none of the 24 passengers and 5 crew members aboard had been injured.

From the Control Tower in Hyderabad, where the plane landed, there were reports that the pilot had been released with a written list of demands from the hijackers.

The Fokker F-27 Friendship propeller aircraft was en route on domestic flight from Turbat in southwestern Baluchistan to the Karachi, Pakistan`s largest city, when it was seized, said officials at Karachi International Airport.

By 8 p.m. (1500 GMT), the plane was on its way to neighbouring India. There were reports the aircraft was headed to Jodhpur, in India`s Rajasthan state. As soon as the KIA Control Tower received confirmation from the PIA pilots of the hijacking, the PAF was alerted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and immediately two F-7MP fighters on air defence alert at the nearby Faisal Air Base were scrambled to intercept the aicraft to prevent it from leaving Pakistani airspace and to force it to land.

Officials said that by 8:20 p.m. (1520 GMT) the aircraft had been forced to land at Hyderabad, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) from Karachi, by an F-7MP fighter of the PAF.

The aircraft was sitting on the tarmac with its lights and engines off. The evening temperature in Hyderabad was around 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 C).

The hijackers said they were Indian citizens, according to an unidentified airline official quoted by The Associated Press of Pakistan.

The Control Tower at the Karachi International Airport said the aircraft hijacked Sunday was coming from Turbat, 400 kilometers (240 miles) away in Pakistan`s Baluchistan province.

Pakistani army commandos belonging to the Special Services Group (SSG) later captured the group of 3 armed hijackers on Monday (25 May 1998).

The 24 passengers and 5 crew members who were on board the plane were reported to be safe. An Army Major was wounded, but not seriously. One of the hijackers was also wounded.

After hours of negotiations, the hijackers released 13 of their hostages and were persuaded to leave the aircraft and come out onto the tarmac early Monday morning for further negotiations, according to Defense Ministry officials.

Dozens of SSG commandos who lay in wait for the hijackers, pounced and arrested all three, the officials said.

The Pakistani Defense Ministry identified the hijackers as members of an Indian-financed terrorist group that has been protesting purported plans by Pakistan to conduct underground nuclear tests in the province. They had demanded passage to India.

During the hijacking, the plane's crew calmed their captors by telling them that the plane was crossing into Indian territory and was landing there, according to sources in the Defense Ministry. But before the plane could leave the country, a Pakistan Air Force F-7MP jet fighter forced it to land in Hyderabad, about 90 miles (144 kilometers) from Karachi, at about 8:20 p.m. (1520 GMT).

There, it was surrounded by security forces belonging to the SSG and ASF (Airport Security Force), who parked vehicles in front of the plane to prevent it from leaving. Negotiators then boarded the plane to talk to the hijackers, who were armed with both guns and grenades.

A crew member had been released with a list of demands. Pakistan Television reported that the men wanted fuel and safe passage to New Delhi.

The hijackers later admitted to be Indian agents.

 

[ghazi52]

Belgium offers to sell 24 Mirage 5 fighters to Pakistan

11 May 1998

ISLAMABAD: Belgium has expressed willingness to sell 24 Mirage 5 fighter aircraft to Pakistan at a very low price. Informed sources said that both Pakistan and Belgium had decided to expand their military cooperation and that a broad understanding had been reached during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's recent visit to Belgium. Sources said Belgium and Pakistan had discussed enhancement of military cooperation at a breakfast meeting that took place between Nawaz Sharif and senior Belgian authorities. And as a first step Belgium offered to sell 24 Mirage 5 aircraft to Pakistan.

The price of all the 24 aircraft will be about six million dollars. However, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was told that 2.5 million dollars would be charged for the upgradation of "each aircraft". Pakistan was assured that the upgradation would be done in accordance with international standards. The planes will then be at a par with those manufactured by France, USA and Russia. These 24 aircraft, sources said, had been declared surplus by the Belgian government due to downsizing in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

The sources said some other military equipment was also declared surplus by the authorities in Brussels and Pakistan had been offered to purchase them. "We had a very good trip to Brussels this time and both sides not only decided to expand their economic ties but also agreed to increase defence cooperation," said an official who toured with the prime minister. He said a new chapter in military cooperation could soon be opened between Pakistan and Belgium.

Sources said Nawaz Sharif would soon have a high-level meeting with the three services chiefs to apprise them about the possibilities of enhancing military cooperation with Belgium in the light of his discussions in Brussels.

They said Pakistan's point of view over the Kashmir dispute, with a special reference to human rights violations in the occupied valley, was also heard by the Belgian authorities with great interest and they promised to play their due role in this regard.

"Before the arrival of the prime minister in Brussels, there were 10 irritating issues to be raised by the Belgian government, but eventually there were only four left."

 

[ghazi52]

Government drops plan to buy 10 CN-235 Transport Aircraft for the PAF

7 May 1998

KARACHI: The government has dropped a plan to buy 10 Spanish-designed CN-235 light transport aircraft for the Pakistan Air Force due to financial constraints. The CN-235 is manufactured by Turkey and Indonesia under licence from the Madrid-based Construcionnes Aeronauticas S.A. (CASA).

The Turkish licencee is the Akinci-based Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI) and the Indonesian licencee is the Bandung-based IPTN. CASA and IPTN co-designed and co-developed the plane, which costs around $12 million per copy.

TAI, which is building 50 CN-235s for the Turkish armed forces under an agreement with CASA, has been seeking to sell 10 to 20 CN-235s to Pakistan in recent years, according to a report in the May 3 issue of the American weekly military journal Defence News.

Indonesia's IPTN was also competing for the 10-aircraft deal, valued at about $ 120 million. Spare parts, crew training and logistic support facilities would probably have added an estimated $ 10 million to $ 15 million to the cost.

In an interview with Defence News, Humayun Khan Bangash, Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey, said: "After our evaluation, we have decided that at this point there is no need to buy the CN-235s." TAI, which, reportedly, is close to a fresh agreement with CASA for nine CN-235s for the Turkish navy and army, also is said to be seeking to sell three CN-235s to Croatia.

"Political relations between Pakistan and Turkey are excellent," Bangash was quoted as saying. "However, due to practical difficulties, like Turkey being a NATO member and the restrictions imposed (by the United States) on us, our defence industry ties are not at the desired level," he said.

"Still, in very difficult conditions, Pakistan and Turkey provide valuable military assistance to each other," Bangash added, without elaborating. That assistance, however, does not extend to Turkey supplying Pakistan military equipment manufactured under licence from US companies. US law prohibits the sale of such equipment to third countries without export licences from the American government.

For this reason, Ankara is prevented from selling Turkish-built F-16 aircraft to Pakistan. It cannot even sell F-16 spare parts to Pakistan because even spare part sales to third countries require a US export licence.

Given this situation, reports appearing recently in a section of the Pakistani press about a proposal to route Pakistan's 28 embargoed F-16s to Islamabad through Turkey appear to be little more than hot air.

"We are trying to find possibilities of cooperation, although our systems are different. Turkey has NATO standards and we don't," Bangash said. "In an example, we have bought hundreds of Land Rover-type wheeled armoured vehicles from (Istanbul-based private company) Otokar. And talks are underway for a new batch," he said.

Defence News quoted sources as saying that "when the United States in 1994 suspended sales of cluster bombs to Turkey following their alleged use against separatist Kurds, Pakistan provided Ankara with the weapons." Turkey later developed the technology to produce its own bombs.

According to Defence News, "Pakistan also extended help after Turkey's main bomb-making plant, the Makina Kimya Endustrisi Kurummu plant at Krikkale, was partly destroyed in an explosion last July."

Islamabad has "revised its military needs under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and the CN-235 deal lost its priority in the light of financial difficulties," Defence News said. But while the deal may have "lost its priority," there is no denying the fact that the Indian air force (IAF) - with 192 transport aircraft in its fleet - has a 9 to 1 advantage over the PAF in transport planes, though the two air forces have an equal number of helicopters (140 each).

In testimony before the US Senate Foreign Relations sub-committee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs on September 14, 1995, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Bruce Riedel said: "One additional consideration in the air balance (between India and Pakistan) is the vast Indian advantage in transport aircraft."

Riedel added: "While perhaps not of truly strategic consequence, these 192 transport aircraft do provide India the capability to move forces rapidly over substantial distances, thus offering the potential to have an impact at at least the tactical level."

Coupled with India's advantage in combat aircraft, Riedel said, "these transport aircraft could conceivably enable India to deploy and support ground forces in Pakistani rear areas in sufficient strength to disrupt the latter's tactical operations."

According to the "Military Balance 1995-96", published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, London, the Pakistan Air Force's transport fleet comprises twelve C-130 aircraft (5-B and 7-B), one L-100, three Boeing 707s, three Falcon 20s, and two F-27-200s.

As against this, the Indian air force's transport fleet is made up of 11 squadrons, including six squadrons with 105 An-32 Sutlej aircraft, one squadron with 16 BAe-748s, two squadrons with 30 Do-228s, and two squadrons with 24 Ilyushin-76s.

 

[ghazi52]

Aviation experts blame poor city planning for accidents: Masroor Air Base to be shifted to Thatta district
31 July 1998

KARACHI: While the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) quickly took rescue measures and immediately sent back the air officer commanding of the Southern Air Command to Karachi to personally supervise the rescue efforts soon after the F-7P crash on 30 July 1998, aviation experts blamed the poor city planning for such incidents, particularly for the casualties.

"The runway at the Masroor Air Base was constructed at the peak of World War II in 1940-41, at a safe distance from the city," said an expert privy to the expansion of the air base. "The air force had taken full care not to construct any air base near the civilian population," he said, pointing out that almost all localities in the four districts of Karachi were built much after the construction of the Masroor Air Base or for that matter the PAF Base Faisal.

Unfortunately, the ill-planned expansion of the city still continues since the 1950s. Same is the case with other cities in Pakistan, where little consideration was shown in urban planning. "New localities have sprung up near the Chaklala and Peshawar air bases during the recent years, adding to the risks the civilian population faces," said the expert. As a result, similar accidents have taken place elsewhere in Pakistan, including at residential colonies built at the fringe of Ojhri Camp when the dump exploded on April 10, 1988.

Not only that, because of the encroaching population, the approach funnel to the Masroor Air Base -- the area which is to be cleared of obstructions for landing and takeoffs -- has been affected. Moreover, because of the expanding population, garbage dumps have sprung up in nearby localities where large number of birds thrive. These dumps are constant hazards for both the aircraft and the pilots -- the bigger the birds, the greater the damage.

Keeping such problems in mind, the PAF had decided to shift the air base to some 100 km from Karachi on the National Highway in Thatta district. For this purpose, land was acquired. However, progress has been slow on account of several factors, in particular lack of funds.

"Masroor is the oldest and the largest air base in Pakistan area wise, spread over some seven square miles. Not only that, it houses several fighter squadrons, aircraft workshops and large number of officers and airmen," said the expert. The shifting of the air base to its new location would be a gigantic exercise, he added.

The Masroor Air Base, named to honour Air Commodore Masroor Hosain, the station commander who died when his B-57 was hit by a bird in July 1967, defends the southern air space of Pakistan, the coastal regions of the country and provides support to the Pakistan Army.

Sources say that the importance of the air base has further increased following the recent tension at the Indo-Pak border. "Till the new base is set up in Thatta district, it will be impossible to vacate Masroor," said the expert. With regard to the Thursday's unfortunate accident, he added that now even more precautions were likely to be taken by the air force authorities.

 

[ghazi52]

Indian Air Force fighter planes violate AJK airspace, flee when PAF fighters are scrambled

2 August 1998

RAWALPINDI: Following three days of intensified firing by India along the Line of Control (LoC), Indian fighter jets intruded into the airspace of Pakistani-administered Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) four times on Saturday, 1 August 1998.

Four Indian fighter planes on Saturday trespassed the Line of Control (LoC) at different places, an ISPR press release said.

The IAF fighters committed air violations four times within a span of two-and-a-half hours. According to details, an Indian fighter aircraft transgressed into Azad Kashmir territory at Pandu sector around 9:15am. The second violation occurred near Chakothi sector at 11:18am. Another Indian fighter plane intruded into Shahkot and Kel sectors around 11:50 am. Eash time they fled back to occupied Kashmir when PAF fighters were scrambled or came near.

"The fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF) were flying at an high altitude," said a spokesman for the ISPR, who confirmed the air violations by the Indian fighters. "The IAF aircraft left the area when Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighters came into action," added a PAF spokesman.

"Our fighters were available in the air for taking possible tactical action," he added. Military sources say that the IAF aircraft were on a recce mission, and Pakistan brought the air violations into the notice of the United Nations Military Observers Groups in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).

In the last few days Pakistan Army inflicted a severe loss on the Indian army by targeting their bunkers and posts. Officials said that the airspace violations could be seen as Indians move to respond to the damages they received in the past few days. Indian army has been pounded at the civilian residential areas along the LoC, killing 41 civilians, since last Thursday morning.

PAF officials also confirmed the airspace violations by Indian fighter aircraft.

"PAF fighters are also available in the area to take possible tactical action and that is why Indian fighters made a hasty retreat. PAF is maintaining full vigilance to meet any eventuality," said an official.

The PAF has been put on full alert and the fighter pilots on air defence duty have standing orders to engage and shoot down any Indian military aircraft which violates the airspace of AJK and Pakistan.

 

[ghazi52]

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Indian Air Force fighter planes violate AJK airspace, flee when PAF fighters are scrambled 2 August 1998 RAWALPINDI: Following three days of intensified firing by India along the Line of Control (LoC), Indian fighter jets intruded into the airspace of Pakistani-administered Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) four times on Saturday, 1 August 1998. Four Indian fighter planes on Saturday trespassed the Line of Control (LoC) at different places, an ISPR press release said. The IAF fighters committed air violations four times within a span of two-and-a-half hours. According to details, an Indian fighter aircraft transgressed into Azad Kashmir territory at Pandu sector around 9:15am. The second violation occurred near Chakothi sector at 11:18am. Another Indian fighter plane intruded into Shahkot and Kel sectors around 11:50 am. Eash time they fled back to occupied Kashmir when PAF fighters were scrambled or came near. "The fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF) were flying at an high altitude," said a spokesman for the ISPR, who confirmed the air violations by the Indian fighters. "The IAF aircraft left the area when Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighters came into action," added a PAF spokesman. "Our fighters were available in the air for taking possible tactical action," he added. Military sources say that the IAF aircraft were on a recce mission, and Pakistan brought the air violations into the notice of the United Nations Military Observers Groups in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). In the last few days Pakistan Army inflicted a severe loss on the Indian army by targeting their bunkers and posts. Officials said that the airspace violations could be seen as Indians move to respond to the damages they received in the past few days. Indian army has been pounded at the civilian residential areas along the LoC, killing 41 civilians, since last Thursday morning. PAF officials also confirmed the airspace violations by Indian fighter aircraft. "PAF fighters are also available in the area to take possible tactical action and that is why Indian fighters made a hasty retreat. PAF is maintaining full vigilance to meet any eventuality," said an official. It is believed that the PAF fighters which were scrambled were F-7MPs. The PAF has been put on full alert and the fighter pilots on air defence duty have standing orders to engage and shoot down any Indian military aircraft which violates the airspace of AJK and Pakistan.​

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan to buy 50 F-7MG fighters from China

20 February 1999

LAHORE: PIADS has confirmed from sources inside the PAF and the Ministry of Defence that Pakistan is to purchase at least 50 new F-7MG fighters from China. This will come up during the visit of a senior Chinese military delegation to Pakistan led by the Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Haotian on 19-24 February 1999. The F-7MG is a modified variant of the Chinese J-7/F-7 which is a derivative of the Russian MiG-21. The F-7MG was publically revealed at the Zhuhai International Air Show in 1996 and was most recently displayed again at the same air show in 1998 with a new two-piece canopy.

The F-7MG is an improved version of the F-7M with a J-7E/F-7E style wing and additional upgrades, including GEC-Marconi/LETRI Super Skyranger multi-mode PD radar (I band, 15km for missiles and 5km for guns), new colour CRT displays, HOTAS control, GEC-Marconi Air Data computer and WP-13F afterburning Turbojet (13,200lb with afterburner). Its maximum climb rate is 38,300ft/min (195m/s) and its combat radius is 850 km (Hi-Hi-Hi Air-Superiority Role) and its maximum load is 1,800 kg. It is also fitted with a new HUD, RWR and a single internal 23 mm cannon. The F-7MG is believed to be more agile and formidable in a dogfight than its predecessor, the F-7MP. Its most notable visible difference from the F-7MP is its leading-edge wing i.e. the wings are cranked outwards towards the edge. The new wing with leading-edge flaps retains the existing leading-edge sweep angle of 57° inboard but reduced sweep of only 42° outboard. This results in a slightly larger wingspan and 8.17% more wing area, which gives the F-7MG more fuel capacity and better maneuverability than the F-7MP or any MiG-21 variant in service anywhere in the world.

Its other more visible difference is its new clear one-piece windscreen i.e. 2-piece canopy instead of the 4-piece one, which gives the pilot a better front view than the F-7MP or the MiG-21. The most important internal difference is that the old-style internal frame has been replaced by a new, more strengthened one.

The F-7MG first flew in 1993. It is believed that Bangladesh has already placed an order for 8 F-7MGs. The Pakistan Air Force already operates 160 F-7MPs. The addition of 50 new F-7MGs will bring the total number of F-7s in the PAF inventory to 210.

Pakistan is also showing interest in the two-seat FBC-1 'Flying Leapord' bomber built by China's Xian Aircraft Co. (XAC) and may send a PAF delegation to evaluate the aircraft in the near future. It is believed that the FBC-1 will also come up during the upcoming talks between Chinese and Pakistani defence officials.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan may purchase more arms from China

19 February 1999

ISLAMABAD - The bilateral defence cooperation between Pakistan and People's Republic of China was initiated at a time when the US had stopped all military aid to Pakistan and the Chinese connection provided a useful alternative source of military supplies, Now, when the 16-member Chinese Defence team led by General Chi Haotian, Defence Minister and Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission arrived in the Federal Capital here on Friday, 19 February 1999 to hold talks with Pakistan defence officials, the country is again in need of supply of arms to arrest the widening gap in conventional capabilities with India. The conventional imbalance is further widened by recent arms acquisitions agreements worth $16 billions which India has signed with Russia.

In the face of US military sanctions, Pakistan is looking for relatively cheap source for arms supply in order to cope with the inadequacies in conventional weapons inventory. Pakistan's economic situation doesn't permit it to go for expensive weapons systems. Defence collaboration with China started as far back as 1966 when the US military embargo was effectively in place in the wake of 1965 Pak-India war. It was the time when China used to provide military assistance to Pakistan on credit basis. In the 60s and 70s Chinese helped Pakistan in establishing defence production units. Some examples are as follows:

(1) In 1966 Beijing assisted Pakistan in establishing an ordnance factory for the production of Chinese rifles and ammunition at Ghazipur (then East Pakistan). The Chinese also provided a production line for the manufacture of 75 mm recoilless ammunition at Pakistan ordnance factories. Interestingly the cost of these projects was met from Chinese credit given to Pakistan in 1965.

(2 Between 1971-78, China helped Pakistan to establish two major projects, namely the Heavy Rebuild Factory (HRF) for T-59 tanks and the F-6 Aircraft Rebuild Factory (F-6 RF). They also provided assistance for a number of projects such as the double propellant production line for the production of 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine guns, its ammunition and a plant for production of fuses for artillery ammunition. These projects were funded by Chinese credit given to Pakistan in November 1970. However, the year 1980 saw a basic change in the Chinese policy of "arms supply support" to friendly countries. The free-aid concept of furnishing arms to Pakistan was replaced by supply through purchase from various semi-autonomous Chinese corporations. A senior retired army official recalled that even after 1980s, the Chinese were considerate when it came to dealing with the Pakistan Armed Forces.

However, this time Pakistani defence planners may find a more business-minded Chinese Defence officials in the bilateral talks on defence cooperation. Although China is perhaps one of those few countries in the world which would like to see the problem of conventional arms imbalance in South Asia's redressed, China now gives more importance to economic progress than military strength. Chinese military analysts in their recent writings have pointed out that Asia financial crisis is the primary threat to China's national security and "they are now searching for a role to play in safeguarding the country against economic turmoil." Chinese government recently published a White Paper on Defence which pointed out that economic security is becoming more important in shaping of national interests. Chinese Armed Forces are undergoing reforms and reorganisation involving huge costs and restructuring.

There are reports that Pakistan is interested in purchasing F-7MG fighters from China. Pakistan already operates 160 Chinese-made F-7MP fighters in service with the Pakistan Air Force. According to reports, Pakistan intends to place an order for at least 50 F-7MG fighter planes, a new version of the F-7MP which the PAF already operates. Pakistan and China are also working to develop the Super-7 (Pakistani designation of the FC-1) fighter aircraft the agreements for the development of which was signed between the two countries in the late 1980s.

However, due to lack of funds the project has slowed down. However, the two countries have successfully completed the project for the development of the K-8 jet-trainer aircraft. Pakistan has already received 20 of these jet-trainers and has a total order for 80 aircraft. Some other countries, including Myanmar and some Middle Eastern countries, have shown interest in inducting the K-8 jet trainer into their respective air forces.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan not informed about Indian Air Force firepower demonstration

4 March 1999

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has not received any advance information from India on its planned largest Air Force Fire-Power Demonstration (FPD) in the Pokhran desert to be held on Sunday, 7 March 1999.

The announcement has been taken as the first significant negative signal emanating from India which may give a jolt to the peace process in the region. Both civil and military sources in Pakistan confirmed that no advance information was provided by India about the Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise.

In the Pokhran desert, India has three air force bases at Jaselmir, Jodhpur and Bikaner and any fighter aircraft taken off from these bases may fly into 10 nautical miles of the international border. In the realm of border security measures, the 1991 agreement between Pakistan and India on the violation of airspace, apparently stipulates that armed fixed-wing aircraft are not to fly within ten nautical miles and no aircraft of any kind may fly within 1000 meters of the border.

India conducts three air force exercises every year, but last year during the same period Indians apparently under the garb of FPD moved the nuclear equipment to the Pokhran nuclear site. India conducted five nuclear tests on May 9 and 11, though the US intelligence reports warned the world about Indian intentions much before New Delhi exploded the nuclear device.

India announced this FPD few months after it conducted its largest wargame in a decade near Pakistan's border, with the involvement of a more than 100,000 troops backed by armour, artillery and warplanes.

Though from November 1998 to end-January 1999 integrated wargame by India was conducted with supply of prior information to Pakistan, this time the Indians have not done so. It surprises at least those who are blindly walking into the Indian trap in the name of peace talks and the, somewhat, faulty bus diplomacy. At least, the IAF FPD is an eye-opener for these people.

Senior officials, who are still evaluating the Indian intent to announce this FPD, raised the question as to why this air exercise, involving 100 frontline fighter jets and bombers, has been planned immediately after the integrated military exercise held in the same area.