Pakistan builds air base near Gujarat border, deploy JF-17 fighters

[Armchair]

PAF Masroor is prime land and plan during Musharaf era was to convert it as a civilian airport for Karachi waterfront project.

The project went on an in definite hold with the regime change and financial crunch in Dubai. It will probably be revived someday in future but with a different investor setup.

For now no change in PAF Masroor´s status so PAF will keep it operational but will use it less.

What do you think of my idea of using it as a reserve base for 2nd line fighters and a pool of semi-retired personnel?

 

[Shabi1]

What do you think of my idea of using it as a reserve base for 2nd line fighters and a pool of semi-retired personnel?

Things for PAF arn´t that bad that such steps would be needed. In my own opinion PAF will actually be growing it´s fighter fleet numbers despite the replacement of jets. Its old work horses will likely go on war reserve storage but there will likely be no need for them to ever return to service.

Despite having been the most effected by bird strikes Masroor is a fully operational base for now. There was a video/picture of a damaged ZDK-03 AWAC from a bird strike but can´t find it. PAF can decide to keep it or it can sell it if via a DHA scheme and generate a pretty handsome amount of revenue.

There should be no compromise to safety and protection of our air assets so no need to endanger more pilot lives. PAF also has another base in Karachi which is PAF Faisal base so we still have a secondary base if needed and issues at Masroor don´t get better. I remember Faisal base having F-6s parked near the tarmac for storage when they were retired.

PAF Faisal usually is home to PN air assets, C-130s and AWACs.

Years ago some one told me PAF Bolari has some geo strategic advantages/ surprises which I prefer to keep to my self since who knows who is reading this, but rest assured upgrading it´s status was a really good decision from operations and some other reasons.

 

[Armchair]

Despite having been the most effected by bird strikes Masroor is a fully operational base for now. There was a video/picture of a damaged ZDK-03 AWAC from a bird strike but can´t find it.

There should be no compromise to safety and protection of our air assets so no need to endanger more pilot lives. PAF also has another base in Karachi which is PAF Faisal base so we still have a secondary base if needed and issues at Masroor don´t get better.

PAF Faisal usually is home to PN air assets, C-130s and AWACs.

You could, in theory, not need to fly aircraft out of Masroor if you use it as a war reserve base. Use the pens to house moth-balled aircraft, keep pilot training at Bholari, so during war, you have an additional air base to count on.

If used this way, bird strike wouldn't be a problem anymore, as there are no regular flights except during war time, when bird strikes would be the least of the problems.

Well, that's the thought anyways.

 

[SABRE]

Bholari close to Gujrat border? Technically any military hardware deployment in Sindh, Punjab & Azad Kashmir can be considered close to the Indian border. But it is way faraway from what the Indian media is insinuating.

Aircrafts operating from Bholari can cover significant operational radius in Southern Pakistan in four directions. That's the main reason for developing airbase there. There are also significant economic activities in the surrounding areas now days.

 

[New World]

Bholari is in Jamshoro not in Karachi, why they named it in Karachi?

 

[Aasimkhan]

We know what planes are currently deployed ... As of now mirages have the strike role ... So if they are not there then probably this base is not active for the nuclear role ...

Masroor is located right on the sea shore, closest point to monitor our Arabian sea area. It's importance can never be over emphasized.

W

PAF Masroor is prime land and plan during Musharaf era was to convert it as a civilian airport for Karachi waterfront project.

The project went on an in definite hold with the regime change and financial crunch in Dubai. It will probably be revived someday in future but with a different investor setup.

For now no change in PAF Masroor´s status so PAF will keep it operational but will use it less.

What is Karachi waterfront project?

 

[HariPrasad]

How far is it from Indian border?

 

[Imran Khan]

How far is it from Indian border?

kiyoo tu ne sunny deol ko bhegna hai ?

128km from indian border

 

[khansaheeb]

It's a major cause of concern for the Indians. PAF gets offensive and defensive enhanced with one stroke. The flexibility to support ground troops or assist navy apart from assisting 5th Squadron for strike role as escorts or top air cover is monumental.

We need a backup airbase too, must keep PAF Masroor. Karachi is vital for Pakistan and must have a ring of bases to protect it.

 

[The BrOkEn HeArT]

kiyoo tu ne sunny deol ko bhegna hai ?

128km from indian border

It seems very easy task for Indian Airforce in war time. Pakistan's strategy is wrong. If you are a defensive force against a powerful enemy, you can't have your assets in easy range. I m sure Indian Airforce would we happy for your new base.

 

[ziaulislam]

Things for PAF arn´t that bad that such steps would be needed. In my own opinion PAF will actually be growing it´s fighter fleet numbers despite the replacement of jets. Its old work horses will likely go on war reserve storage but there will likely be no need for them to ever return to service.

Despite having been the most effected by bird strikes Masroor is a fully operational base for now. There was a video/picture of a damaged ZDK-03 AWAC from a bird strike but can´t find it. PAF can decide to keep it or it can sell it if via a DHA scheme and generate a pretty handsome amount of revenue.

There should be no compromise to safety and protection of our air assets so no need to endanger more pilot lives. PAF also has another base in Karachi which is PAF Faisal base so we still have a secondary base if needed and issues at Masroor don´t get better. I remember Faisal base having F-6s parked near the tarmac for storage when they were retired.

PAF Faisal usually is home to PN air assets, C-130s and AWACs.

Years ago some one told me PAF Bolari has some geo strategic advantages/ surprises which I prefer to keep to my self since who knows who is reading this, but rest assured upgrading it´s status was a really good decision from operations and some other reasons.

Should sell those bases for low cost housing and move 60-70 mills or more out of city

 

[Aamir Hussain]

Masroor is a nuclear weapons strike base. The base itself and its surrounding areas houses certain special handling facilities for nuclear weapons. The whole are area has become important after the construction of K2 & K3 power plants and it ancillary Fabrication Complex. So it wont be abandoned any time soon.

 

[Imran Khan]

It seems very easy task for Indian Airforce in war time. Pakistan's strategy is wrong. If you are a defensive force against a powerful enemy, you can't have your assets in easy range. I m sure Indian Airforce would we happy for your new base.

dont worry those who make this plan are real airforce not internet self made think tanks .

 

[Aamir Hussain]

Infact its facilities have been upgraded recently when it started hosting the K-Eagles (3).

 

[saltyashell]

dont worry those who make this plan are real airforce not internet self made think tanks .

Did this real airforce also make plans for defense of bangladesh ? U guys seem to have capitulated pretty fast.
Dont underestimate value of collective wisdom , it gets it right 9 out of 10 times.

Bases near borders are at high risk.