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i think f-16 is the biggest mistake PAK made to purchase
mig 29 or mirage 2000 was the best option
Unfortunately, the war for Pakistan, this time around would not be fought by the genrals but deft handling by our politicans on the international and domestic front.
how many pak army have f16 in service (active) ??
i think f-16 is the biggest mistake PAK made to purchase
mig 29 or mirage 2000 was the best option
F16 is still the most loved fighter of PAF pilots, the maneuverability and performance of the a/c hold no match with other fighters before induction of JF-17. Since 1983, all the inter-sqn skill competitions were won by F16 squadrons ( No.14 only once, 9 and 11 mainly)...it was difficult for other squadrons to bridge the gap between their a/c and F16.
Back in mid 90s , ACES (Assessment of Combat Efficiency of Squadrons) become a victim of criticism...and as a result its procedure was changed. Since then, the competition is held in three sub-groups Multi role Sqn (F16),Tactical Attack (Mirage & A-5) and air superiority Sqn (F-7).Winners of each group compete for ACES Top Squadron trophy.
Now PAF has other options too, they are going further towards JF-17 and FC-20 too. The rule of F16 in PAF, has to end...definitely in next five years things will be different!
Whilst Sq wise the F-16 did win..
On an individual engagement basis the F-16 has had it handed to it by some antiques as well.
Some rookie's in the F-16 found themselves in the sights of the F-6 and FT-5.
and in the recent high mark..
F-16's were regularly shot down by F-7PG's.
I don't know about FT-5, but F-6 was a very good air defence fighter...a PAF pilot shot down USN F-14 with it too. Mirages are no where in air combat. F-7PGs are also very maneuverable and their performance is close to F16...its not a very surprising news, because of routine DACT missions our pilots have understand the weaknesses of other fighters, also because of postings of pilots from one type to other the lessons learned by one person is shared among others ....still today its panic whenever a F16 jumps into a DACT.
The USN F-14 incident was with a mirage 5.. with the late AC Rizwanullah Khan..
He related the incident to me personally..
and to get the proof that it all happened.. there is a video of F-14 pilots on youtube.. around the same timeline.. 94-95.. where they show a placard with a profanity about Pakistan.. this is what triggered it
On a different note, F-6 pilot also shoot one down... Alan Warnes has narrated some part of it in his book, 'PAF 1998-2008 The new dawn'.
If iam not mistaken the pilot was F/L Jawad Saeed, later commanded 9 Sqn.
I have the book.. but cant recall it.. F-6's have shot down F-15's in exercises.. it is possible that they achieved the same with an F-14 during exercises with the USN.
However.. the mirage| F-14 incident was no exercise.. weapons had gone hot that day.
Not exactly a good omen is that?? Deft..or more likely dumb handling..
With Useless Raza Gilani denying any future permissions for various acts ...
Can you post more details of the F14 incident?
I have heard from some 'old flyres' that USN a/c flew close to Pakistan's air space near Karachi(back in 90s)...their purpose was to tease PAF pilots....one day two Mirages intercepted them...Mirage No.2 lost visual of the tomcat...he decided to lock the target...which was a very offensive move, may be he forgot that locking means 'official' start of an encounter...the tomcat pilot gave full throttle,climbed straight up, and ran away.
Since then, it was all silent from their side.....i am sure the mission debrief would be a 'hot session' for both pilots.
Exactly Santro, before we all start pointing fingers at everyone else for our problems, the fact remains that opportuties have risen in the past for Pakistan and will continue to do so in the future -- but are we prepared to make the best use of them???