Paf Is Run By Fighter Mafia Jocks---Kaiser Tufail Is Wrong

[MastanKhan]

Pakistan air force has been dominated by the fighter pilot mafia for the longest. It shows in their attitude---it shows in the decisions that they make---it shows in their management style---it shows how they comprehend the current and future threats---it shows in what their current and future plans are for aircrafts to be inducted and procured in the near and future.

Traditionally the fighter pilots gets the glory while the bomber pilots are ploughing thru the enemy forces on the ground---a job most consider worthless but is as glorifying and rewarding. If you could compare a fighter pilot to a race car driver speeding his car on the race track---then the bomber pilot would be like the heavy equipment driver that laid down that road.

This fighter pilot mindset has been dominant for decades over PAF and in its current form and inventory---since the last A5 Fantan retired---this air force does not have a dedicated bomber aircraft in its inventory and neither does it plan to get one.

If the PAF was facing a smaller enemy---it would be an acceptable error---but when the enemy has intentions of deploying 35 + division across the border from it case of a war---the current or the upcoming inventory has no heavy bombers to do strike missions on enemy forces---it does not even have medium range bombers either, to make massive strikes on the ground forces and armored columns of enemy vehicles. All it has is small aircraft like the F16's, the JF 17's and the Mirage aircraft which do not carry a heavy load---. They need an aircraft---a fighter bomber that can carry a load of 15-20000 lbs at least and is also capable of firing Bvr missiles as well---on naval strike missions---this aircraft could take on a load of at least 6 to 8 air to ship missiles as well as a couple of Bvrs---on ground strike mission with a load 8 one thousand lbs bombs at a minimum or a configuration of smart bomb load.

If cost is a concern----Paf should look at the upcoming JH 7B---the other option is off-course the J11 series.

The most important part of the buying the aircraft----Paf should only be used as a consulting firm---the civilian defence minister needs to take into consideration what the air force says it needs are and what other independent sources are saying what the air force needs.

The minister should make a decision independent of air force fighter pilot mafia---he must and he should look at the broader picture in balancing out the air superiority to the use of a sledge hammer.

Musharraf did a great job of diversifying the air surveillance aircraft much to the dislike of the air force---and over the time---his decision proved to be right---even though the air force fought tooth and nail against it.

 

[ghazi52]

Nice one...

 

[jha]

Good analysis... But which other independent sources author is talking about,..?

 

[Kompromat]

Thats what Cruise Missiles are for. If we really need bombers, a squadron of Su-34 Fullback is the answer.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

They should get latest Chinese flanker variant.. Equip atleast 2 sqds for Naval role!...

 

[Winchester]

I guess Pakistan Air Force has just limited its role to denying air superiority to the Indians

 

[Kompromat]

@DESERT FIGHTER

Its J-16.

 

[MastanKhan]

Thats what Cruise Missiles are for. If we really need bombers, a squadron of Su-34 Fullback is the answer.

Hi,

When you are fighting a war---fear factor is smoothing that you keep in the fore front all the time---the fear of the strike----the fear of heavy bombers---a sh-it load of bombs falling on your positions---the massive explosions and destruction they cause that makes the mind go crazy.

The cruise missiles don't even come close----indeed they are extremely destructive and deadly---but to date---there is nothing out there that even comes close to the strike of a bomber aircraft.

 

[Donatello]

A counter narrative i would like to add:
1-PAF has lots of options, but again, it comes down to funds. While the Chinese might offer loans, it is a bit difficult to get the same from the west
2-F-16 is not light weight, it is medium weight. 14,000lbs of payload is no joke.
3-PAF cannot let the defense minister make the decisions, what does the defense minister know about what our boys want to sharpen their claws?

I agree with the point that PAF needs at least 2 dedicated heavy strike squadrons......basically, the likes of J-11/Su30 are also multirole, but they can be beneficial at both sea and air-ground

Where PAF was given the funds, it did make some good strategic decisions for future planning....the induction of fleet tankers and EW aircraft is one such positive step.

If 6-7 billion USD were immediately made available to PAF, they can procure the heavies, decent SAMs and more EW aircraft while speed up the JF-17/F-16 induction.

 

[MastanKhan]

I guess Pakistan Air Force has just limited its role to denying air superiority to the Indians

Hi,

that is what I have been saying for the longest---Paf has been hijacked by the fighter pilot mafia---and they are wrong when they say that will deny air superiority to IAF at this time---right now---they don't have the numbers----.

And any force that fight from a defencive position from day one----is going to be smashed-----like the Iraqi army during Gulf war 1----it let the u s forces build up---it let the u s forces come to it---the problem was that they did not have the terrain to support their actions. If the Iraqis had continued with the attack moving further in and taking more real estate---things would have turned different.

The Paf is being managed and run by a defeatist mindset for a longtime. Until and unless---your forces cannot reach and stab at the enemy's heart---that means that your forces have ether sold you short---lied to you about their preparation and procurement and sold you a bill of goods that you did not need.

The state needs to take charge of which direction the air force needs to go----the state needs to decide the strike capability of the air force and the state needs to force its will on the air force----the air force needs to do what the state wants.

I see so many of my articles / posts being stolen and posted with minor modification by the Pakistani media---.

When I talk about a defence minister---I imply by default that the man is a capable person.

 

[Kompromat]

Hi,

When you are fighting a war---fear factor is smoothing that you keep in the fore front all the time---the fear of the strike----the fear of heavy bombers---a sh-it load of bombs falling on your positions---the massive explosions and destruction they cause that makes the mind go crazy.

The cruise missiles don't even come close----indeed they are extremely destructive and deadly---but to date---there is nothing out there that even comes close to the strike of a bomber aircraft.

J-16 or Su-34 can solve that problem. It will cost a stack of cash however!

 

[Irfan Baloch]

@MastanKhan khan

seems like the PAF lost the focus why it exists.
when the Army aviation (corps) and later independent airforce was envisioned

the bombers were the primary force, the whole reason to militarise the aircrafts. they were used for Artillery reccy and later on bombing.

the fighter element was added as a compulsion and as forced necessity to safegaurd the bombers. the role of the air corps was still to support the ground forces, plotting maps, recon and bombing.

but yes , with the air kills the fighters got the glamorous fame. it was the bombers that ended the WW2. brought Japan to its knees, blew up the German Dams and disrupted its supply chains , performed carpet bombing, blitz, morale bombing.

and then the issue of strike plans, that role is also loathed and looked down upon. this mentality is not PAF specific, sadly it is present in other countries too. CAP role seems to be too low for a pilot (check out the initial reactions and rejections to A-10s)

 

[Basel]

Thats what Cruise Missiles are for. If we really need bombers, a squadron of Su-34 Fullback is the answer.

if our economy become good and also relations with Russia then Su-35 will be answer to that issue and Su-34 for Navy as it can be tweaked for MPA role while having capability of a fighter / bomber.

 

[Irfan Baloch]

Hi,

that is what I have been saying for the longest---Paf has been hijacked by the fighter pilot mafia---and they are wrong when they say that will deny air superiority to IAF at this time---right now---they don't have the numbers----.

.

even there they are failing
they are planning to defeat the enemy air force with what? multirole single engine medium and light aircrafts? facing what? dedicated twin engine heavy air superiority fighters and missile trucks.

Thats what Cruise Missiles are for. If we really need bombers, a squadron of Su-34 Fullback is the answer.

cruise missiles will not replace the need for the strike fighters .. YET in our life time.
cruise missiles have a niche and a place but they are not the primary weapon
they are for select and high value limited targets. much like special forces vs. larger regular troops.
imagine how many cruise missiles you need to stop 33 divisions moving on your country from Sindh to Kashmir.

 

[Shabi1]

Strike aircraft work when you have depth and total air dominance. Dynamics of air warfare is different for PAF, air space denial is the number one priority rather than strike. In a Pakistan Vs India scenario the biggest air losses on both sides would be strike aircraft as the air defences on both sides have advanced by leaps and bounds.

PAF strategy is to field a multi role fleet, because of the funds and aircraft availability issue. Since proximity of forward bases is very near to the potential conflict areas so it has the cushion to field smaller multi role jets. Smaller jets can be at par with bigger twin engined aircraft, they only lack the weapon truck and extended ranges but offer lower operating costs yet other attributes associated with being smaller. Once the fleet is updated. Next priority should be induction of 1-2 squadrons of air-superiority fighters instead of bombers.

PAF potential threat planning is more or less similar to what the Israeli airforce has in place. Both face larger opponents with low strategic depth.

So considering options and resources I think PAF management is doing everything perfectly. A conflict with India is not eminent anytime soon and Pakistan's resources should rather be used to strengthen the economy. Until the J-31 becomes operational it should only concentrate on replacing older aircraft with JF-17s and any refurbished F-16s with decent remaining life it can find.