Pak-US joint air exercises planned

[ajpirzada]

By Mazhar Tufail

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the US Air Force (USAF) will conduct joint exercises in the US towards the end of this year and the F-16 aircraft of the PAF will participate in the manoeuvres, defence and diplomatic sources told The News here.

“The joint exercises have been planned in the wake of the quality performance of the PAF in air raids in the tribal areas as part of the war on terror as well as the recognition of its air power in South Asia,” said the source, requesting anonymity.

“The F-16 fighter jets, which are already part of the PAF fleet, will be flown to the United States for participation in the manoeuvres,” they said. The sources said a meeting would soon be held in Washington to not only finalise the schedule but also other modalities for the exercises, including the US where the exercises would be held, duration of exercises and technical details. They said 12-15 F-16 aircraft of the PAF would be flown to the US by the Pakistani pilots.

“The offer of joint exercises by the US authorities is a recognition and appreciation of the role of the Pakistan Air Force in the war on terror,” remarked one of the sources. “In the war on terror operations, the PAF pilots not only eliminated several important militant commanders in the difficult terrains like Swat, Malakand, Waziristan, etc, but also expertly destroyed the hideouts of militants, which were apparently difficult to be seen,” he pointed out.

It was also learnt that PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman too would participate in the Pakistan-US joint exercises and would also be awarded a medal by the US government in recognition of the good performance of the PAF.

“Before the joint exercises, the PAF will also get delivery of the next batch of the F-16 aircraft from the United States,” the sources said. Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman attended the Pakistan F-16 Peace Drive-I inauguration ceremony and luncheon at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, the manufacturers of the state-of-the-art aircraft, on October 13 last year. The ceremony was held on the company premises at Fort Worth in Texas. The contract for the supply of 18 new F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft was signed between the Pakistani and US governments on September 30, 2006.

Pak-US joint air exercises planned

 

[fatman17]

^is this Red Flag or a bi-lateral excercise?

 

[Frankenstein]

 

[Desert Fox]

 

[Windjammer]

In a related subject, Airforces monthly commenting on a recent exercise conducted in and around UAE, says that although PAF participated with their F-7PGs, which were probably not in the same category as other participating aircrafts, but none the less the PAF has earned great respect for the excellent pilot quality.

 

[Super Falcon]

well uselessss exercise we goo with same crap from last 20 years and usa keep brining new stuff

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

No point in such training excercises when preditors are flying in our back yards

 

[Gin ka Pakistan]

Why not to take few JF-17s for A2G role during the exercises , it will give it a international standing.

 

[TOPGUN]

No point in such training excercises when preditors are flying in our back yards

Those preditors are flying in our back yards cuz our gov is allowing it too rem .....

 

[mshoaib61]

Statement on US Refuelling Tanker Programme Announcement
(Source: European Commission; issued March 9, 2010)

The European Commission notes the decision announced on 8th March by Northrop Grumman / EADS not to submit a bid to the US Department of Defence contract for the US Air Force's aerial refuelling tanker programme.

"It is highly regrettable that a major potential supplier would feel unable to bid for a contract of this type. Open procurement markets guarantee better competition and better value for money for the taxpayer", stated Commissioner Karel De Gucht.

In February 2008, Northrop Grumman / EADS was selected and awarded the contract to provide aerial refuelling tankers for the US Air Force in a fair and transparent competition. This was a positive sign for free and open competition across the Atlantic. This also seemed to indicate that successful bids are possible when European industry teams up with US industry and they are allowed to compete fairly. This award was subsequently cancelled at the end of 2008.

In December 2009, Northrop Grumman / EADS expressed serious concerns to the Department of Defence and the US Air Force on the proposed acquisition criteria for the contract.

The European Commission would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract.

The US defence trade balance with the EU has traditionally been significantly in the US' favour. In 2008 the US exported $5 billion and imported only $2.2 billion worth of defence material, in line with a historic ratio of double exports to imports.

The Commission will be following further developments in this case very closely. (ends)

EU Warns Against Protectionism In Billion Dollar Air Force Contract
(Source: Deutsche Welle German radio; issued March 9, 2010)

The EU has warned against US protectionism, after European aerospace giant EADS said it was dropping out of a multi-billion dollar contract bid process. American rival Boeing is now the only bidder.

The EU has warned Washington of negative consequences for future defense deals between the US and Europe if a recent contract for Air Force air-refuelling tankers is proven to have favored a US company.

The European Commission called the decision by a European-led consortium not to submit a bid for the Pentagon's contract for refuelling tankers "highly regrettable."

"The European Commission would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract," a statement from Brussels said.

European aerospace giant EADS withdrew its bid on Monday for $35 billion (25.7 billion euros) in tanker plane contracts with the US Air Force, saying the terms of the deal appeared designed to favor a smaller jet offered by American rival Boeing.

The announcement left Boeing as the only bidder.

The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, parent company of Airbus, had joined forces with US firm Northrop Grumman to compete with Boeing over the contract to build 179 tankers, which refuel warplanes.

The EADS move came after Northrop Grumman dropped out of the bid for the contract, which would have guaranteed thousands of manufacturing jobs in Britain, France, Germany and Spain.

Bitter battle comes to an end

The decision followed a two-year struggle against American protectionism, and ended a bitter political battle over the deal, which is among the biggest US defense procurement projects on record.

In presenting his decision, Airbus CEO Thomas Enders criticized the Pentagon for presenting guidelines that he said clearly favored Chicago-based Boeing.

"The current bid is clearly tailored to the smaller and less-capable refueller of the competition," Enders told German press agency dpa. "The conclusion is clear: This is not about the best tanker and also not about a fair competition."

Possible no-bid contract

The US Defense Department said it was disappointed by the EADS-Northrop decision, but it denied accusations of unfairness. The Pentagon may now be forced to award a contract to Boeing without any competition, a practice US President Barack Obama has sharply criticized as a bad deal for taxpayers.

Meanwhile, Boeing used the announcement to talk up its own model for the tanker, based on the commercial 767.

"The Boeing NewGen Tanker will be safe and survivable in combat, will save the American taxpayer $10 billion in fuel costs over its 40-year life, and is American-designed and built," Boeing spokesman Bill Barksdale said in a statement.

EADS and Northrop were offering a larger model based on the Airbus A330, which they claimed had greater capability, lower risk and better value despite its size.

Fight for jobs

The Air Force has sought to replace its 1950s-era set of Boeing tanker planes for years. The Pentagon originally awarded the contract to EADS and Northrop, leading critics in the US to decry a loss of jobs to European manufacturers when they were most needed at home.

Boeing was later able to convince a congressional oversight agency to reverse its decision in June 2008, and the Defense Department officially reopened the competition last month.

Support for EADS-Northrop was concentrated in southern states because of Northrop's promise to build an assembly plant in Alabama. The aerospace duo said 58 percent of the plane and its parts would be assembled by American labor.

The decision to drop out of the competition was a setback for EADS' plans to expand into the enormous US defense market, where its current presence is relatively small.
Statement on US Refuelling


Tanker Programme Announcement

 

[mshoaib61]

 

[All-Green]

well uselessss exercise we goo with same crap from last 20 years and usa keep brining new stuff

No point in such training excercises when preditors are flying in our back yards

Guys,
You are both senior members on a defense forum...
Please do realize the need for PAF to train with the supreme air power that is the USAF.

It is a very beneficial thing for PAF and its staff who will come home with lots of new tricks and tips to share with their colleagues.
Pilot training is something very important and such exercises open up a lot of avenues of learning for all involved.

I hope you understand why this is something positive and to be taken as such.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Perhaps 2011 was a better time for joint excercise our forces might be in need locally at present , , that is all I would say

 

[LCA Tejas]

hey thats a cool news, hope to see PAF in the next red flag If am not wrong, congratz guys

 

[Rank]

Guys,
You are both senior members on a defense forum...
Please do realize the need for PAF to train with the supreme air power that is the USAF.

It is a very beneficial thing for PAF and its staff who will come home with lots of new tricks and tips to share with their colleagues.
Pilot training is something very important and such exercises open up a lot of avenues of learning for all involved.

I hope you understand why this is something positive and to be taken as such.

Can i ask a simple question ?

What is the purpose of training ?

new tricks and tips share with their colleagues .... Still flying 25 years old aircraft only 18 coming (still coming let see coming F18 with wings or wheat)

learn new tricks and tips and use against ????? India ??? or own people (NWFP) ??

or ?? We are actualy stupid US use pakistan since last 30 years and still we feel proud when our people stand with REAL enemy of our country!

I love American weapons but similarly hate American Govt and military officials. US always use us we are soo stupid EXTREMELY STUPID. US showing us **** on the otherside US selling state of the art weapon to our real enemy. MAN!!

what can i say! we still trust American make me always SHAME!


Simply but sorry for this remarks but frankly speaking

"ham idiot hain aur idiot he raheengay.. jab America ke Afghanistan may kutay wali horahe hey tu usnay dekha asay baat nahe banayge chalo Pakistan ko thora support kartay hain woh tu wesay b apnay he ghar kay bachay hain thora sa khelaoo pelaoo koosh hojatay hain aur ham apna kaam nikal wal eengay thora khela pela kar insay kaheengay chalo g Taliban say hamari doosti karwaoo phr wohi 1985 ka scene chalayga aur eek baar phir pakistan as usual....."

man man man!!