Whenever Indian elections approach, there is a danger of a stage-managed misadventure by India against Pakistan to develop a domestic narrative. Therefore, it was necessary to find out if we are prepared to face off another February 2019, and by the Grace of Allah, I can say with confidence that PAF is in an even better position than before.
Since the assumption of Command in March 2021, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu embarked upon an ambitious plan to transform the PAF into a modern air force that is capable of facing the evolving challenges of contemporary warfare. The incumbent drew inspiration from Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s direction to PAF in his inaugural visit to PAF Station, Risalpur on April 13, 1948. The Father of the Nation had said “A country, without a strong air force, is at the mercy, of any aggressor.”
Pakistan must build, up her Air Force, as quickly as possible. It must be, an efficient Air Force, Second to None. I charge you to remember, that only with, Discipline and Self-Reliance, can the Pakistan Air Force, be worthy of Pakistan.”
The Father of the Nation had said “A country, without a strong air force, is at the mercy, of any aggressor.”
The CAS embraced Quaid’s directives in their essence and launched a drive to transform the PAF into a modern, capable, and out-performing air force. Notwithstanding the difficult geopolitical and geostrategic environment which was plagued with a plethora of issues including the fading Pandemic, the hasty withdrawal of the US-led NATO from Afghanistan, and the Russia-Ukraine War, closely followed by politico-economic crises in Sri Lanka and the country, the CAS formed a dedicated team of experts to which I named as ‘Team Baber.’ The ever-evolving regional environment did not deter him from his mission of transforming the PAF into a force, second to none.
The ‘Team Baber’ ably led by the CAS himself chalked out a plan that covered each aspect of operations, air defence, cyber domain, administration, human resources, training, mobility, and perhaps most importantly the indigenization of arms and equipment in synch with Quaid’s directives of self-reliance.
This short article, perhaps will not be able to cover all aspects but will give a brief overview only. Without going into technical details of the induction and operationalization of the arms and equipment, one can say that PAF is on the right path to deter the enemy from a repeat of February 2019.
The CAS gave the vision to transform the PAF to meet future challenges and started to induct some essential platforms on priority. This included integrating cutting edge, long range, and 1st Shot capability through J-10C, 4,5 Generation aircraft, JF 17 Block-III, PFX-JF-17, and Block 52 F-16 aircraft. This combination leaves out the old guards like Mirages and F-7Ps and gives PAF an advantage in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) engagement even beyond the usual ranges.
The Russia-Ukraine war has relegated the efficacy of manned aircraft due to the fear of high attrition, therefore, PAF quickly adopted Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The fleet includes Bayraktar TB-2, Akinci, Wing Loong, Shahpar-II, Swarm Drones, and Loitering Munitions. These are some very potent platforms being used for counterterrorism operations as well.
In today’s technology-intensive battlefield scenario, one must be able to protect communication and concurrently penetrate the enemy’s doings. Therefore, PAF ventured into acquiring and upgrading its Electronic Warfare Platforms and now has successfully operationalized Global-6000 SOJ, EADS, MIDAES, and Anti-Drone System.
The beauty of an air force lies in its mobility and therefore the PAF needed to be made to move quickly with its paraphernalia to respond to evolving situations across the length and breadth of the country at short notice. To meet this challenge, PAF has successfully inducted and operationalized certain Mobility Platforms which include C-130H, Airbus 319, Boeing 737, BKA-350i, and Piper M-600. These aeroplanes are not only used for combat support but also for relief operations wherever needed. PAF is conducting Gaza relief operations these days.
In the domain of Long-Range Vectors (RADAR), YLC 8E, MRR, and YLC-18A have given PAF the capability to “detect, identify, intercept, and neutralize within its entire airspace and beyond.” PAF is also making efforts to procure HQ-9B, CM-400, and C-802 systems to enhance its range and kill probability at sea and land-based targets beyond 150 and 250 km, respectively.
The future wars would be technology-intensive, where real-time intelligence and targeting would matter the most. No operation would be conducted without blinding the enemy and from the close ranges. PAF has understood this concept and adopted to vision of its Commander to transform the service into a hard-hitting, agile, and efficient air force, second to none.
Since there have been too many developments in the PAF in the past 30 months, and only a few aspects could be covered in this part, therefore, in Part II, I will cover the remaining fields of development in Training, Human Resources, Indigenization, and Cyber domain.
To Be Continued
The writer has authored three international books: “Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan” “South Asia Needs Hybrid Peace” and “Understanding Sun Tzu and the Art of Hybrid War.”