South Asia Air Forces: PAF counters IAF strategy

[Xeric]

This discussion will give us a fair idea about the indian capability and our response to it. The article is distributed in different posts. It contains headlines and news from different sources and also shows a 'dialogue' sorta response and counter-responses...

Please follow the complete article for proper comprehension.

Important of all this not for flame bait.
Indian members are welcome to give a response and prove otherwise.

The discussion of the IAF vs. the PAF is as old as Pakistan vs. India. The PAF with the induction of the new F-16s and the JF-17 Thunder is in good shape. A new factor that has entered the theater is the induction of missiles. Whereas previous Indo-Pakistan wars depended on aircraft and army mobilizations, now the scene has changed. Missiles have transformed the landscape. First some background of the PAF.

Pakistan Air Force

Combat Aircraft------Numbers----Serviceability---Combat Effectiveness---Aggregate Combat Value

.F-16------------------44-----------90% ----------- 0.9-------------------35.64

.JF-17-----------------17------------95% -----------0.93----------------15.0195

.F-7 PG ---------------55 ------------85% -----------0.75 ---------------35.0625

.F-7 MP/P--------------105-----------70%-------------0.7------------------51.45

.Mirage Rose ------------125 ---------70%------------0.8--------------------70

.Mirages - other-----------20----------60%------------0.7--------------------8.4

.A-5III/C ‘Fantan’---------40------------50%------------0.25-------------------5

.Total-------------------406 ----------72.78% --------0.72---------------220.572

.Indian Air Force

Combat Aircraft------Numbers----Serviceability---Combat Effectiveness---Aggregate Combat Value

.Su-30 MKI -------------100 -----------70% ----------0.99 --------------69.3

.Mirage 2000H/TH Vajra----51 -----------80%-----------0.9 --------------36.72

.Jaguar S(I) Shamsher-----139 ----------75%-----------0.6---------------62.55

.Mig-29/UB Baaz-----------62 ----------50%-----------0.8---------------24.8

.Mig-27 Bahadur -----------130 ---------50%----------0.55-------------35.75

.MiG-21 Bison --------------120----------60%----------0.75-------------54

.MiG-21 Bis------------------56----------50% ---------0.3---------------- 8.4

.MiG-21 M/MF---------------80-----------50%------------0.25-------------10


.Total------------------------738 -----------61.12%-------0.65------------301.52

.
.Capability Gap ------------36.70% --- (relative to PAF)

.Numbers Gap -------------81.77% --- (relative to PAF)

.Serviceability Gap ---------Minus16.03% --- (relative to PAF)

.Combat Effectiveness Gap-Minus 10.94% --- (relative to PAF)

The violation of Pakistani air space by Indian jets recently has given everyone a lot to be excited about. Everyone from every walk of life has had an opinion about it. Still it was when I saw a senior corporate lawyer suddenly transform into a TV expert on international law and its application to military aviation that I decided enough is enough, I need to jump in. After all, in the past I had pursued with some amount of seriousness the dream of joining the ranks of the Pakistan Air Force before I abandoned it for education abroad. Every now and then the PAF Warrior asleep somewhere deep inside yawns and tries to rise up from deep slumber. These are his ramblings.

There is no Pakistani worth his salt who is not proud of our Air Force–perhaps one of the few institutions that have truly lived up to the finest aspirations of the new nation that was founded in 1947. It is a truly merit-based institution that has served the nation with the devotion and integrity that is becoming of a truly professional fighting force. As was true of the whole country in 1947, RPAF too faced scarce supplies and, at partition, a deliberate kick in the pants from the Indians, who had choked the engines of RPAF planes with sugar. It also survived the great ego battle of two Englishmen, the commander in chief of Pakistan’s Army, General Gracey, and the Air Chief, Air Vice Marshal R L Atcherley, with the former holding the view that the RPAF’s only conceivable role would be to act more or less as the aviation wing of the Pakistan Army–i.e, air support to ground operations. Thankfully, the view of Air Vice Marshal Atcherley prevailed and the PAF became arguably the most efficient fighting arm of our state.

In 1965, the PAF was able to retain air superiority over India by retaining the element of surprise and scaring the living daylights out of Indian pilots by strategic use of the dozen F-104 Star Fighters in aid of the F-86 Sabres. In 1971, the war that was lost politically and on the ground, the PAF still came out on top with more than three times the number of kills than its Indian rivals. In his autobiography, renowned American pilot Chuck Yeager, the then attaché to Pakistan, wrote, “PAF is second to none… the air war lasted two weeks and the Pakistanis scored a three-to-one kill ratio, knocking out 102 Russian-made Indian jets and losing thirty four airplanes of their own… they were really good aggressive dogfighters and proficient in gunnery and air combat tactics. I was damned impressed. Those guys just lived and breathed flying.” Despite the numerical disadvantage, the PAF managed to keep up with the IAF over the first four decades since Pakistan’s inception through superior pilot training, as well as aircrafts which had qualitative edge over Indian planes. This prompted another American, Lt Gen Charles Horner, the architect of the air segment of the Gulf War, to declare that “Pakistan has one of the best most combat ready air forces in the world… For the Indian war planners, the Pakistan Air Force is their worst fear. Pakistani pilots are respected throughout the world…because they know how to fly and fight.''

 

[Xeric]

Some more...

IAF is down to 30-32 squadrons at present, with many more older MiG variants lined up for retirement

The reduced size of the Indian AIr Force and its decision to place its aircarfts in forward bases in Tezpur (Northeast India), and Ladakh (Indian Occupied Kashmir) shows some sort of frustration on the part of the decision makers. The Northeast and Ladakh placement of Su IAF jets threatens China and attempts to intimidate the Pakistanis. The Pakistan Airforce (PAF) has taken corrective actions and for the first time since 1947 may achieve parity with the IAF. India attempts to threaten China from Ladakh & Northeast
IAF is down to 30-32 squadrons at present, with many more older MiG variants lined up for retirement

NEW DELHI: At a time when the primacy of airpower in winning wars or at least “shaping” the battlefield for the army to move in is well-established, IAF will not be able to achieve its “sanctioned” strength of 39.5 fighter squadrons even by 2017.

The sheer inability of successive governments to formulate long-term integrated defence plans to progressively build the country’s military capabilities in tune with its geopolitical objectives means the IAF will continue to grapple with a shortage in fighters for the foreseeable future.

The IAF is down to just about 30-32 squadrons (each has 12 to 18 jets) at present, with many more older MiG variants lined up for progressive retirement.

Even with new acquisitions, India will only have 35.5 fighter squadrons by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan (2012), and 37.5 squadrons by end of the 12th one, say IAF projections.

“The depleted air force is a serious risk to national security,” warns the latest report of the parliamentary standing committee on defence.

“There is an imperative need to revise acquisition targets to meet the authorised strength in the shortest possible timeframe,” it adds, calling for “an action plan” by the government in this regard.

This is especially important since IAF itself has held it needs 44 squadrons to meet the “possible contingency” of “a full conflict” with Pakistan, while maintaining “a dissuasive posture” against China.

Moreover, simultaneous conflict with both Pakistan and China, with the capability to hold Pakistan and defend against China, will require 55 squadrons.

Though the IAF is inducting advanced multi-role fighters such as Sukhoi-30MKIs (230 jets have also been contracted from Russia in deals worth $8.5 billion) and force-multipliers like IL-78 mid-air refuellers and ‘Phalcon’ AWACS (airborne warning and control systems), numbers do matter in the ultimate analysis.

Both Pakistan and China, on their part, are rapidly boosting their air forces. Pakistan, for instance, is getting 36 more F-16s from the United States, coupled with its plans to induct as many as 250 JF-17 ‘Thunder’ fighters from China.

More..

The previous IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi, in fact, had even warned the UPA government that “unless immediate steps are taken to arrest the reduction in IAF’s force levels, the nation will, for the first time in its history, lose the conventional military edge over Pakistan”.

The six-year delay by the government in launching the hunt for 126 new multi-role combat aircraft, under the gigantic Rs 42,000-crore project, will lead to the first lot of these fighters being delivered only by 2012 at the earliest.

By then, IAF would have retired 100 more MiG-21s, which constitute the bulk of its combat fleet, and 40 more MiG-27s.

To counter the sharp fall in numbers, IAF has upgraded 125 MiG-21 ‘Bisons’ and 100 each of the MiG-27MLs and Jaguars with new avionics, weapon systems and life-extension refits.

And now, after signing a Rs 3,840-crore deal with Russia to upgrade its 69 MiG-29s by 2011, IAF is looking for a similar package for its 51 Mirage-2000s with France.

Then, of course, there is the indigenous ‘Tejas’ Light Combat Aircraft programme, which was launched in 1983 to replace the ageing MiGs. But it’s running years behind schedule, with the first squadron likely to be inducted only by 2011-2012 now.

 

[Xeric]

Another set of concerns and counter-concerns: These are the notions on both sides.....see what consequences we get after reading them...
This will give a fair pictures of the actions being carried out on both sides. The concerns raised by one country are answered by the other. i have colored the response and counter-responses to make it easy for the readers....

NEW DELHI: Pakistan may be getting more spanking new F-16 fighters from US and JF-17 ‘Thunder’ jets from China but IAF is not scrambling for cover. It remains quite confident of its war-waging capability.

“Every country has its own perception of its defence requirements. Pakistan’s acquisitions do not disturb us too much or give us sleepless nights,” said Western Air Command (WAC) chief Air Marshal P K Barbora, talking exclusively to TOI.

If India was so unconcerned why did it try to put pressure on Russia not to sell China-Pakistan WD-93 engines for the JF/17-Thunder? Other press and IAF reports show alarm at the deterioration of the Indian Air Force. Within a few months, the PAF will have parity with the IAF. This should be a cause for concern, and lack of concern on this matter shows incompetence or arrogance or both.

......................................................................................

But what about the fact that IAF is haemorrhaging with a free-fall in the number of its fighters, down to a never-before low of around 30 squadrons (each has 12 to 18 jets) from a “sanctioned” strength of 39.5.

“Yes, the numbers have fallen. There have been procurement delays. But, at the same time, induction of advanced fighters like Sukhoi-30MKIs and force-multipliers have compensated for the downslide in numbers,” said Air Marshal

..........................................................................................

Barbora.
“We have enough assets to ensure that the skies over this part of the country are free from any external or internal threats. What 10 MiG-21s could do in earlier times, a single Sukhoi can do today,” he added.

The Mig 21s were called the Flying coffins where almost every month Indian pilots would go up in flames.

..........................................................................................

The government, for one, has approved faster induction of the 230 Sukhoi-30MKIs contracted from Russia in deals worth around $8.5 billion.

Pakistan is about to receive the build capability for the Chinese J-11s and should be able to produce 50 per year.

.............................................................................................


For another, after “upgrades” of the MiG-21, MiG-27 and Jaguar fleets, the go-ahead has been given for new avionics and weapon systems for Mirage-2000s and MiG-29s as well. Then, of course, the gigantic Rs 42,000 crore project to acquire 126 multi-role combat aircraft has kicked off now.


The Flying coffins Mig 21 and Mig 27s are pretty useless planes. They blow up on their own. Investing in junk is like Tata buyng cars that have never shown a profit. Pakistan is not upgrading their versions of the Migs. Pakistan is retiring them altogether
..........................................................................................


As for “force-multipliers”, IAF has already inducted six IL-78 mid-air refuellers, 30 UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and a wide array of radars, with more in the pipeline.


Pakistan has indigenous capability to produce UAVs. Pakistan’s own Jasoos, Mukhbar and Uqqab are being updated with the latest Chinese and Israeli technology through Turkey.
................................................................................................


i missed these......



It’s also getting ready to get the first of three Israeli ‘Phalcon’ AWACS (airborne warning and control systems), contracted for $1.1 billion in 2004, with a case now being made by IAF to procure three more.


Pakistan has twin and redundant AWAC capability using Chinese and Swedish technology. Local science is also producing a new level of AWACS with components purchased in Europe.

......................................................................................................
The operationally crucial WAC, which covers virtually the entire western front stretching from Ladakh to Bikaner, in particular has seen the induction of several advanced radars. “They have drastically enhanced our situational awareness,” said Air Marshal Barbora.

Pakistan’s AWAC capability is the finest on the planet. Swedish, Chinese plus Turkish/Israeli and Pakistani technology have countered India’s borders and the entire Subcontinent. Details too sensitive to reveal.


........................................................................................................
The EL/M-2083 Aerostat radar deployed in Punjab and the Master-T long-range tactical 3D surveillance radar in Jammu region, for instance, can look deep inside Pakistan to keep track of all aircraft movements and other activities. WAC, which controls 18 important airbases ranging from Srinagar, Leh, Thosie, Awantipur to Ambala, Amritsar, Halwara and Nal, has also stepped up “operational synergy” with the Army.

Pakistan’s AWAC and radar capability now covers most of Western “India”, specially the Kashmir, Kutch, Sialkot and Lahore sectors which can peek deep into Gujrat, Kutch, Eastern Indian Punjab and Occupid Kashmir. Plus Pakistan human intel is the finest in the world and has eyes on the ground all over India, Eastern India and Southern India.

........................................................................................................

This is to ensure an integrated air-land war-fighting machinery to take care of any threat in the entire western theatre. “For the swift, short and high-tech wars of the future, IAF and Army must know each other down to the lowest levels,” he said.

Pretty much lot of huff and puff. Ditto on this

 

[Luftwaffe]

by 2017 Pakistan will have JF-17 as the largest single platform in P.A.F that Pakistan would be maintaining vs India with huge number of Old planes that need to be phased out..

In simplest words more than half of iaf fleet is for Chinese threat and the rest for Pakistan would India divert all of its eggs towards Pakistan in conflict forgetting China and China factor? No..There i consider it 2:1 Air Conflict which is still great for Pakistan rather than the alleged 3:1 which is nullified as i told you China factor and 50% of fleet reserved for China..

 

[TOPGUN]

J-11's??? when is that happening?

 

[Xeric]

by 2017 Pakistan will have JF-17 as the largest single platform in P.A.F that Pakistan would be maintaining vs India with huge number of Old planes that need to be phased out..

In simplest words more than half of iaf fleet is for Chinese threat and the rest for Pakistan would India divert all of its eggs towards Pakistan in conflict forgetting China and China factor? No..There i consider it 2:1 Air Conflict which is still great for Pakistan rather than the alleged 3:1 which is nullified as i told you China factor and 50% of fleet reserved for China..

This is what i am talking about. Getting the SUs only will not make the IAF a 'potent' force until some radical changes are made in the organization.

 

[maverick2009]

luftwaffe

India & China do not have any where near the Hostility level towards each other that india & Pakistan have.

There is virtually no chance that PLAAF will engage IAF at the same time as PAF.

WHICH MEANS in a indo pak conflict 90% of india,s planes will be stationed to war on Pakistan.

China will not attack india in the next indo pak dust off.

 

[Kasrkin]

Pakistan is about to receive the build capability for the Chinese J-11s and should be able to produce 50 per year

I dunno about this mate. Some sources would be good...

China will not attack india in the next indo pak dust off.

It doesn't have to in order to ensure commitment of Indian war material and men along its border to relieve pressure on Pakistan.

 

[Xeric]

NEW DELHI: With Pakistan getting new F-16s from US and JF-17 ‘Thunder’ jets from China, IAF now has plans to progressively deploy its most potent Sukhoi-30MKI fighters on the western front.

This comes after IAF identified Tezpur and other bases in the North-East to also base the multi-role Sukhoi-30MKIs as a safeguard on the eastern front against China, which has gone in for a massive upgrade of airbases in Tibet and other areas near the Line of Actual Control.

At present, IAF has just about 60 of the 230 Sukhoi-30MKI fighters contracted from Russia at an overall cost of over $ 8.5-billion. Of the 230 jets, 140 are to be produced under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India.

The government, incidentally, has directed HAL to complete the ongoing Sukhoi project by 2013-2014 since IAF is grappling with both a severe shortage in the number of its fighter squadrons, down to 32 from the “sanctioned” strength of 39.5, as well as “poor serviceability” of its MiG-21, MiG-27 and Jaguar fleets.

India has so far based its Sukhois — which can be jury-rigged to carry nuclear bombs — only at Pune, Jodhpur and Bareilly, though they have operated from as diverse places as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Halwara.
With fresh deliveries of the “air superiority” fighters in the pipeline, the earmarking of important airbases to position future squadrons is taking place in full flow.

The operationally crucial Western Air Command (WAC), which covers virtually the entire western front stretching from Ladakh to Bikaner, in particular, figures high on these plans.

“Our assets have to be distributed all over the country in line with our operational thinking. After the East, the planning is to base Sukhois in our area of responsibility,” WAC chief Air Marshal P K Barbora told TOI.

WAC controls as many as 18 important airbases ranging from Srinagar, Leh, Thosie, Awantipur to Ambala, Amritsar, Halwara and Nal. But several of them need new inductions to maintain their operational readiness. Halwara, for instance, houses the old and accident-prone MiG-23s which are in the process of being phased out.

The basing of Sukhois at new bases will, of course, require new infrastructure.

The Tezpur airbase, for instance, is currently undergoing a huge revamp to house two Sukhoi squadrons.

The move is significant since the Sukhois, which have a cruising speed of 3,200 km and can carry eight tonne of armaments, can strike targets deep inside China after taking off from Tezpur. Their radius of operation, of course, can be cranked up to around 8,000 km with air-to-air refuelling by IL-78 tankers.


Interestingly, Bareilly, which already has two squadrons, has been earmarked as the “hub” for Sukhoi operations in the eastern sector. Some of the fighters have even been fitted with Israeli reconnaissance systems to enable them to “look” 300 km into China without crossing the border.

The Sukhois and the 3,500-km-plus nuclear-capable Agni-III missile, which will be ready for operational deployment by 2010 or so, constitute a crucial part of the “affordable nuclear deterrence” posture against China.

 

[Luftwaffe]

maverick2009...a conflict between India and Pakistan will drag China this time around to take advantage to take back what belongs to China...you should by now know how War Strategies work an Allie destabilizing enemy's borders in War is justified act of War to get objective fulfilled..don't tell me India will withdraw its eggs from borders with China towards Pakistan and more than half on this forum will agree with me 50% Inventory is reserved for China. We know India is competing with China broadly so China factor is crucial in Air War.

 

[Neo]

Pakistan is about to receive the build capability for the Chinese J-11s and should be able to produce 50 per year

I dunno about this mate. Some sources would be good...

Our focus is on JF-17 Block I/II and FC-20 and J-11 is not in the picture in its current capacity and capability.

Inside sources told me that we've shown keen interest in the airframe and its aerodynamics so we'll keep a close eye on the development of J-11B. A future JV could very well involve a derivative of this design to meet PAF's growing need for 4.5 gen fighter.

 

[Xeric]

Pakistan is about to receive the build capability for the Chinese J-11s and should be able to produce 50 per year

I dunno about this mate. Some sources would be good...

http://www.defence.pk/forums/160936-post1.html

Chinese J-11s for Pakistan? RUPEE NEWS: Recording History, Narrating Archives, Strategic Intellibrief Analysis: Noticias de Rupia | Nouvelles de Roupie | Rupiennachrichten | ??????? ????? | ???? | Rupi Nyheter | ?????

 

[TOPGUN]

I really hope we get the j-11's even if its in small numbers !!

 

[Xeric]

Analysis of the PAF vs. IAF - Air Combat Over the Subcontinent
by M. Hussain

Pakistan and India. Two regional powers, frequently at war, armed to the teeth, possessing nuclear weapons and with no end in sight to their mutual animosity. War in the Subcontinent today has very high stakes. But none higher than in their respective air arms. Given the importance of air combat to modern warfare, a crucial factor to analyze the outcome of any conflict between them becomes analyzing the viability of each air force. For wars today always begin in air combat, and the successor there often has Fate decide in its favor.

The Pakistan Air Force has traditionally been known as one of the most professional air forces in the world. But the 1990s was a tough decade for the PAF and much of their prestige was lost. Pakistan chose to invest in nuclear weapons and diverted resources there. Damaging sanctions against Pakistan also hurt the PAF more than any other armed service. Thus, a decade was lost and PAF was left behind.
The Indian Air Force meanwhile, found the 1990s most fruitful. They progressed in leaps and bounds, as the Indian economy expanded, military equipment from the West and Russia opened up, and the IAF started learning and incorporating Western standards of air combat. Yet, there were times when India’s political environment forced itself upon the IAF. Forced to wait for a local replacement for its MiG-21s that has been in development for over 20 years, and forced to abandon purchases because of political interference from within India, the IAF, on the turn of the century, found itself restrained.

Pakistan meanwhile gained momentum. Years of sanctions led to the development of a joint project with China - the JF-17. Unlike the Indian effort, this bore fruit quickly, under the able leadership of the PAF and astute decision making on the part of their military leader Musharraf. And after 9/11, the doors to Western equipment and military aid opened up again. But constant stalling plagued them such that little of concrete and operational value has been inducted. The PAF is nevertheless modernizing, and by 2012 would have caught up with the IAF. With induction in numbers of JF-17s and J-10s by the end of 2009, the PAF will see the gap vis-à-vis the IAF close rapidly.

Yet, in the Winter of 2008/2009, the PAF is yet half-made and the threat of war is thrust upon her. The PAF and IAF are on their highest alert, as the IAF sees its last opportunity to break the PAF, and the PAF holds strong and does not back down. The vital question thus becomes, what will happen if war broke out now? Today? Would the PAF collapse? Such a question cannot be answered without looking carefully at the assets and capabilities of both air forces.

The first salients we notice is that the IAF is far larger, with about 740 combat aircraft versus the PAF’s approximate 400 aircraft. We see that the IAF has over 100 FLANKERs that are modernized and top-rate against the PAF’s handful of early block F-16As. The IAF fields BVR missiles in platforms ranging from the MiG-21 Bisons to the Su-30 MKI against a PAF which officially does not have BVRs.

Yet, everything is not as it seems. What at first glance seems overwhelming odds against the PAF, on closer examination, do not seem as overwhelming. The IAF has far lower serviceability of its aircraft, their pilot training, as evidenced by recent Red Flag exercises with the US is also not yet up to par with the PAF, their maintenance crews are not as diligent, their mainly Russian/Soviet technology is generally less reliable and less effective than advertised, and a large part of their fleet of MiG-21s and MiG-27s are outdated. PAF aircraft are either of Western stock or Chinese and are far more maintenance friendly. Pakistan has also been upgrading their aircraft massively and have incorporated a complex combination of technology from across the globe – from China to Brazil, from South Africa to the US. PAF also very likely has BVRs that are not advertised of South African and Chinese origin. PAF pilot training is on par with the best in the world, and its maintenance crews are trained on the level of Western maintenance crews. Lastly, fighting an air war over Pakistan gives the PAF a home advantage and makes their radar and SAM infrastructure very relevant.

IAF aircraft are mainly of Soviet/Russian origin and are not designed for easy maintenance. The Soviets designed aircraft for mass production and on the view that combat aircraft would have short lives in a full scale conflict. As such, ease of maintenance was the last item on their mind. Even the latest Indian acquisition of Russian aircraft, the Su-30 MKI is known for being highly maintenance intensive and extremely fragile. Modifications to the FLANKERs have made them even more difficult to maintain – and example being that IAF sometimes faces tire shortages because the increased tonnage of the Indian FLANKERs make their tires burn out very rapidly.
Indian maintenance crews are also not up to par – at least compared to Western air forces. The large number of IAF crashes is indicative of this, one of the highest rates amongst air forces of the world. What compounds this problem is the age of large sections of the Indian fleet which has large numbers of MiG-21s and MiG-27s that are, besides the Bisons, highly outdated and are sometimes referred to as “Flying Coffins” by their pilots. It is no wonder that India has a hard time recruiting and retaining pilots .

Pakistan on the other hand has no problems recruiting pilots – the PAF has one of the highest rejection rates amongst air forces in the world. The PAF also has a better pilot to aircaft ratio than the IAF, meaning it could sustain a greater sortie rate over a protracted conflict. PAF aircraft are also “pimped” in that they have been extensively modified. Thus, while on paper PAF is flying ancient Mirages that were bought second hand from the Australians, when one actually examines any such model, one is surprised at how extensively they have been rebuilt – almost from scratch and the hardware is extremely lethal. Other than the secretive BVR AAMs, the PAF has extensively incorporated the strike element into its Mirages, at a level only matched by the IAF’s Mirage-2000s and Su-30 FLANKERs, and even then, some of the equipment has no IAF equivalent.

Let us also remember than any conflict between the two forces would last a maximum of 2 weeks as neither side has either the logistics or the political will to fight a longer war. This means that the smaller air force can sustain itself on a more equal footing for the briefer period of time.
The IAF’s fleet of MiG-21s are very short legged. the PAF’s F-7s have better ranges and also don’t need to fly as far given that they would be defending. Considering how large the IAF’s fleet of MiG-21, this becomes a rather relevant point. It would be hard to imagine IAF’s MiG-21s being able to sustain a presence over Pakistani airspace. Meanwhile, Pakistani cruise missiles and ballistic missiles are significantly more developed, effective and numerous than their Indian counterparts. This means that many of the forward Indian air bases would effectively be discounted, further compounding the problem for the IAF.

All these factors suggest a far more complex and mixed picture of the balance between the two air forces. To quantify military power in a more concrete way and to see how this balance plays out, let us look at a model of the PAF and the IAF.
Let us consider three main elements - number of aircraft, how valuable each aircraft is in battle and aircraft serviceability. We have the number of aircraft as a given. We assign percentages for serviceability, and assign a value between 0 and 1 for how effective each aircraft is. To get a broadly accurate picture, these numbers do not have to be absolutely accurate, but relatively accurate.
We find the aggregate combat value by multiplying each of the factors and the number of aircraft. As you notice, I have not included factors such as home advantage to the PAF, PAF’s higher pilot ratio or PAF’s better training. I have also not included the short-legged nature of the MiG-21s and India’s likely inability to lose (or risk not losing) their forward air bases, effectively rendering them nonoperational. These factors are more intrinsic and are harder to quantify, so I will leave the reader to judge by how much to upgrade the PAF’s score on these parameters, or discount the IAF’s. Referring to the table in the first post..

I am assuming that Air-to-Ground capabilities will also be an important aspect as destroying enemy aircraft on the ground or important installations is a significant element of the air war. I therefore am holding higher numbers of effectiveness for aircraft on both sides that otherwise would be completely redundant such as the IAF MiG-27. Of course, Air-to-Air is more important generally but strike missions should also be considered relevant. As such the model is only moderately biased towards air-to-air capabilities.

Conclusion
It would appear that the IAF is still the superior force. And while accounting for the exogenous items in this model would further lower the gap than the massive 37% gap shown in the table, depending on how it is discounted, it is still decidedly in India’s favor. However, given the short nature of any conflict between India and Pakistan, the gap does not lend credibility to India attaining air superiority over Pakistan under any scenario as could be concluded if we took the 82% gap in numbers. The PAF would likely sustain significant causalities but would likely be able to deny the IAF any semblance of air superiority over Pakistan, at least for any conflict lasting up to a few weeks. As long as PAF can deny the IAF air superiority, it can be considered to have done its job and would be ready to pick the pieces up from where it left it in the last conflict over Kargil.

 

[digitaltiger]

It’s good if your AF got that metal, AF alone can’t win wars, and we have no issue as long as these articles make u happy. It more or less sounds like blowing your own Baja.