ASIA PACIFIC
Date Posted: 09-Apr-2010
Jane's Defence Weekly
PAF's biggest operational exercise enters second phase
Farhan Bokhari JDW Correspondent - Islamabad
Combat aircraft flown by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) carried out a series of demonstrative attacks on 6 April, setting in motion the second stage of the 'High Mark 2010' exercise.
The firepower demonstration took place at the PAF's firing range in the Thar desert and featured fighter aircraft from the PAF fleet, including Pakistan Aeronautical Complex/Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation JF-17 Thunders, Dassault Mirages and Lockheed Martin F-16s.
Phase two of the exercise officially began on 7 April and will see the PAF co-ordinate with Pakistan's army and navy over the next month to demonstrate its preparedness in dealing with anti-terrorist operations in areas along the Afghan border, as well as continuing to deter India: the country's main potential foe.
This is the first time such an event has taken place since the army, supported by the PAF, expelled Taliban militants from Pakistan's northern Swat valley in mid-2009.
According to Pakistan's Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, 'High Mark 2010', which began on 15 March, is a significant milestone in the PAF's effort to improve its standards and set the pace for future development. New features tested during the exercises include a demonstration of the PAF's newly acquired mid-air refuelling capability using an Ilyushin Il-76 strategic transport aircraft purchased from Ukraine. Another three Il-76s are due to be inducted at a later date.
"We are showing our capability to maintain peace with honour in our region," ACM Suleman told Jane's . His comments broadly relate to the PAF's increasingly important internal role in support of the army's campaign, while seeking to safeguard Pakistan's security interests alongside the eastern border with India and the western border with Afghanistan.
Another important feature of the exercise is the first ever use of a full squadron of JF-17s. Later this year Pakistani officials expect to see the JF-17 perform at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK for the first time. The PAF plans to eventually acquire up to 250 JF-17 aircraft, making it the main backbone of its fighter fleet.
In a related development a senior Pakistani government official told Jane's on 29 March that discussions were taking place between Pakistan and the United States concerning the PAF's acquisition of between 14 and 18 used F-16C/Ds from Washington.
Pakistan is keen to use its status as a non-NATO US ally, which allows the country to seek hardware that has been declared as an excess defence article (EDA). Under this category, Pakistani officials say, the country will only be required to pay for essential refits but will not be charged for the equipment itself.
At the same time, negotiations are continuing between the two countries regarding the possible supply of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Pakistan. While Pakistan is seeking more advanced UAVs equipped with missiles, Western defence officials based in Islamabad said that the US is only prepared to supply UAVs for reconnaissance purposes.
