extremly unrealistic on current capabilities and for future lets look at some analysis that I have done
the transport aircraft in pak airforce
C 130- payload 20.4 tonnes for 130H
il 78- payload 85 tonnes of fuel(lets assume tanks as i am not sure weather it can drop tanks or not as it can carry cargo)
so its pretty clear that as of now c130 can not be used to tranfer tanks beause of lower payload but it can only tranport troops or para drop them on special missions
lets go to tanks
al zarrar- 40 tons
al khalid- 46 tons
T 80- 53-55 tons
type 69- 37 tons
type 63- 22 tons plus
type 59- 36 tons
t 54-55- 36 tons
M48 pattons- 50 tons
I have taken into cosideration the weight of base versions of tanks higher versions have a higher weight due to significant improvements. So its obvious if you are dropping armour behind enemy lines it should be most modern of your equipment hance only al zarrar, al khalid and t 80UD are left. Now T 80UD are alot heavy with upgrades and hence not very viable for air drop due to significant difficulties and support equipments and forces can not be dropped
Left are al khalid as the best choice with 46 tonnes of combat weight and with all support equipment and additional supplies for air drop some where around 50 tons.
Now present il 78 can drop them but pak uses them for refuelling and only has 4 hence i don't see any point in using them as airial refulling is much more important task and they can't risk using all 4 of them to drop one tank each and instead be risk of being destroyed by indian airforce, AD
as you would need atleast a formation of 8-12 tanks to fire any massive assault on any base else they can be repelled very easily by anti tank missiles vehicles, attack helis, and hand held anti tank missile launcher(with multiple attack)
Conclusion
PAK would need atleast 6 dedicated heavy transport aircraft's if it really wants to transfer some heavy armour quickly and options available are
il 76MD 90A- 60 tons
y 20- 50-55 tons( will be increased to 66 + tons with W 20)
and it would be a lot of investment
any other thoughts ??
You have put in a good effort and researched well.
I doubt Pakistan will Para drop Armoured forces through transport aircrafts, for that matter even lighter M-113 or any other vehicle. Firstly because heavier armoured vehicles like MBT or M-113 will not be used in Mountain sector. In Northern Punjab/southern kashmir sector around Jammu, a strike Corps is already present which will take ground route.
Secondly, A para drop doesnt seem feasible in desert sector where armoured forces can exploit the terrain on their own instead of being para dropped.
Pakistan believed in same $h!t when then paradropped their SSG in Kashmir on 1965. I wonder how many returned home from that mission.
You perhaps don't know,but Air assault is the hardest form of battle.Paratroopers are lightly armed and provisioned troops which can never beat a provisioned regulars in enemy territory.And that too without proper armor and air support.Blabbering here in PDF and performing proper action in battlefield is whole different stories,that too heavily in militarized border of the world.Germany learned it in Crete,Allies learned it during Marketgarden,and hopefully Pakistan learned it in 1965.Good luck.
If i may have the liberty to point out a few mistakes in your post.
Firstly, An amphibious assault is even harder than an airborne or air assault ops.
Secondly, Air assault operation doesnt include Para troopers, it includes infantry riding in helicopters and dropped at Landing Zone through touch down or rappel. An Airborne operations includes para troopers who are para dropped through parachutes by transport planes on Landing zone.
Thirdly, Air Assault troops can carry powerful weapons with them like ATGM, Mortar, SAM etc which can give them a lethal punch against enemy. These weapons help them engage heavily entrenched enemy in bunkers or hardened shelters, tanks and other armoured vehicles. In some cases, Gunships also accompany air assault troops and provide devastating fire power.
Fourthly, do yourself a favour and get out of the past. Doctrines and strategies are constantly evolving. This can be seen through Military excercises and relevant training.
