Pakistan conducts missile firing exercise

[Neo]

Pakistan conducts missile firing exercise

Monday April 16, 2007

Islamabad, April 16 (Xinhua) Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Monday completed a three-day 'Live Missile Firing' exercise at Somniani Range of southern Pakistan.

'In the live missile firing exercise, all types of fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missile units of Pakistan Air Force participated actively,' a PAF statement said.

The combat pilots and controllers successfully employed various types of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles on the inventory of PAF at Somniani Range during the exercise.

The statement said the missile firing camp 2007 was marked with accurate and skilful handling of the missiles.

The camp is an yearly event in which PAF provides real time training to its fighter pilots and air defence controllers to enhance their skills.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/070416/43/6emmq.html

 

[Neo]

The camp is an yearly event in which PAF provides real time training to its fighter pilots and air defence controllers to enhance their skills.

Hmm...I thought it was all about testing the readiness of our armed missile regiments.

 

[EagleEyes]

The aircrafts beasted!

 

[Introvert]

Is there a video for that??

 

[EagleEyes]

No mate.

I wonder what were the surface to air missiles for air defence.

 

[Ababeel]

The SAMs were "Crotale" from France.

 

[Keysersoze]

The SAMs were "Crotale" from France.

How do you know that?

 

[blain2]

How do you know that?

Two SAMs were fired. Crotale 4000 and Mistral MANPADs. Both in use by the PAF.

 

[Keysersoze]

Two SAMs were fired. Crotale 4000 and Mistral MANPADs. Both in use by the PAF.

When did the Mistral come into use? My understanding was that the Stinger, RBS-70 and Russian/Chinese systems (long with the PAK variants) were the ones in service.

It's interesting in terms of the whole "PAK does/does not have good missile capabilities (production)" debate as the Crotale's were upgraded in Pakistan to the 4000 standard

 

[blain2]

When did the Mistral come into use? My understanding was that the Stinger, RBS-70 and Russian/Chinese systems (long with the PAK variants) were the ones in service.

It's interesting in terms of the whole "PAK does/does not have good missile capabilities (production)" debate as the Crotale's were upgraded in Pakistan to the 4000 standard

Mistrals were acquired in considerable quantities in the late 90s. Most of the Mistral stations have been NVG'd thus allowing day/night capability for low level defence of the ADGE. Its in use by PAF and PN Marines.

Stinger is in use by the PA, same goes for RBS-70 and the Chinese system is also in use by the PAF but is either phased out or in the process of getting phased out (thus you see the reports about Pakistan looking at various medium-high altitude options). Low level/MANPADS are not an issue with Pakistan any longer esp. with the induction of Anza MkII and III eventually.

Crotale was upgraded to the the 4000 config I believe in the late 90s or early 2000 (not sure there). However even Crotale4K is not a comprehensive solution.

 

[Awesome]

So how are missiles fired at each other in exercises?

 

[blain2]

So how are missiles fired at each other in exercises?

They are not fired at each other. Essentially for the AAM firing, the aircraft launch their missiles against drones. The same goes for the SAMs and MANPADs.

Here is a similar one from the missile firing camp in 01 at Sonmiani.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3067742538372338325&q=Pakistan+airforce+missile

 

[Neo]

Waw, great video!

What are the drones Blain, they were to small to be seen clearly in the video.
Is it something like a UAV and do we produce them?

 

[blain2]

Waw, great video!

What are the drones Blain, they were to small to be seen clearly in the video.
Is it something like a UAV and do we produce them?

See there is a difference here. This is a demo and requires the impact close to the seating area thus in many cases, they have used flares to get a good hit.
Usually in exercises etc., when munitions have to be expended, the PAC/AWC produce various target drones that are used by both PAF and PA/PN trainees involved in air defence/anti-aircraft/Anti-AShM roles.

We have been producing targetting drones since the 80s in the days of Pakistan "Aeronautical" Complex.

 

[Neo]

I see! Thanks for elaborating.
Well I'm impressed by the pin-point accuracy of the missiles fired coz every single of the hits the drone/flare!