Pakistan Air Force

Pak Fiza'ya
Pakistan Air Force Ensign
Founded	14 August 1947
Country	Pakistan
Size	65,000 personnel (12,000 pilots) 10,000 reservists
Part of	Pakistani Armed Forces
Air Headquarters	Islamabad
Combat aircraft	371
Engagements	1947 India-Pakistan War 1965 India-Pakistan Rann of Kutch Border Skirmish 1965 India-Pakistan War 1967 Arab-Israeli ‘Six Day’ War 1973 Arab-Israeli ‘Ramadhan/Yom Kippur’ War 1979–1988 Soviet-Afghan War 1999 India-Pakistan Kargil Conflict 2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff 2007-present COIN Operations in Northwest Pakistan (War on Terror)
Commanders
Chief of Air Staff	Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman
Insignia
PAF Logo
PAF Roundel
PAF Fin flash (left side)
Aircraft flown
Attack	A-5C
Electronic warfare	Falcon DA-20, Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C
Fighter	F-7P/PG, F-16A/B, F-16C/D, JF-17, Mirage III, Mirage 5
Helicopter	Alouette III, Mi-171
Reconnaissance	Mirage IIIRP, Falco UAV, Jasoos II Bravo+
Trainer	FT-5, K-8P, MFI-17, MFI-395, C-12, T-37
Transport	An-26, Boeing 707, C-130, CN-235, Il-78MK, Phenom 100, Saab 2000

Current aircraft

Combat aircraft

Combat aircraft
Aircraft	Entry	Role	Quantity	Notes
JF-17 Thunder SBP aircraft Serial production aircraft	2009 2007 2009	MR	14 8	First squadron (No. 26 Black Spiders) made operational on 18 February 2010 with 14 aircraft at PAF Base Minhas (Kamra). A total of 250-300 aircraft expected to be delivered.
Chengdu J-10 FC-20	~2014	MR	0	Initial 36 FC-20 under negotiation,possibly to be delivered by 2015 after improvements are made to meet PAF requirements. Upgrades to radar and avionics reported to be required by PAF in 2007. FC-20 believed to be a version of the upgraded J-10B, incorporating an IRST, diverterless supersonic intake, new radar and modified vertical stabiliser fin. Contract believed to have been signed in November 2009, delivery of dozens more aircraft likely, possibly up to a total of 150 FC-20.
F-16 Fighting Falcon F-16A/B Block 15 F-16C/D Block 52+	1983 1983 2010	MR	51 45 6	Pakistan possesses around 45 F-161A/B version. Pakistan Air Force also received around 6 F-16C/D versions of the 18 on order. Agreement signed in March 2010 with United States for an additional 14 F-16s, variant unconfirmed, to be delivered by December 2011.
Dassault Mirage III Mirage IIIEP / IIIDP Mirage IIIO / IIIOD Mirage IIIO ROSE I Mirage IIIEE / IIIDE Mirage IIIEL Mirage IIIRP	1968 1968 1990 1990s 1990s 1990s ~1968	MR Recce	~121 18 / 3 12 33 22 / 2 9 15	New build: First Dassault Mirage IIIEP delivered in early March 1968 and a total of 3 Mirage IIIDP, 18 Mirage IIIEP, 3 Mirage IIIRP delivered in 1968-1971. 10 more Mirage IIIRP ordered August 1975 for delivery in 1977 bringing Mirage IIIRP total to 13. Mirage III fleet upgraded with Litton LW-33 nav/attack system and Thomson-CSF HUD under service life extension programme circa November 1982. Second-hand: 43 Mirage IIIO, 7 Mirage IIIOD from Royal Australian Air Force delivered in 1990, 12 were overhauled and put into service, 33 selected for upgrade after inspection and 5 broken up for spare parts. 22 Mirage IIIEE, 2 Mirage IIIDE from Spanish Air Force delivered in the 1990s. 9 Mirage IIIEL from Lebanese Air Force delivered in 1990s. 40 Mirage IIIE from French Air Force (upgraded by SAGEM) delivered from 1996 onwards. Delivery of used Mirage III/5 from France suspended in 1999 due to Kargil conflict, first batch of 8 delivered in April 1999, next batch of 8 aircraft not delivered until October 1999. 33 Mirage IIIO modernised with ROSE I upgrade package in the mid to late 1990s.
Dassault Mirage 5 5PA-2 5PA 5DPA-2 5PA-3 Mirage 5F ROSE II Mirage 5F ROSE III	1973 ~1973 ~1973 ~1973 ~1973 1990s 2000s	FGA T FMA	~60 18 28 2 12 20 14	New build: 4 Mirage 5DPA delivered in 1973. 28 Mirage 5PA, 30 Mirage 5PA-2/5PA-3, 2 Mirage 5DPA-2 delivered during 1973-1979. ~26 of 32 Mirage 5PA were delivered by November 1982. Second hand: 34 Mirage 5F modernised with ROSE upgrade package, 20 ROSE II in late 1990s and 14 ROSE III in early 2000s.
Chengdu F-7 Skybolt F-7P (F-7MP) FT-7P F-7PG FT-7PG	1988 1988 ~1988 ~2002 ~2002	Int	192 120 15 50 9	Also performs limited CAS and strike duties. F-7PG ordered in early 1999, delivery complete by April 2002. FIAR Grifo 7MG radars installed after delivery to Pakistan. Pakistan air force will operate only 50 F-7PG variants until 2010 then F-7PG be replaced with JF-17 by 2015.
Nanchang A-5 A-5C (A-5III)	1983	Attack	~41	32 modifications made to Q-5IA to make A-5C/A-5III: upgraded avionics, Martin-Baker PKD10 zero/zero ejection seat, modified hardpoints for compatibility with AIM-9 Sidewinder and other PAF weapons. 3 prototypes built before production. Operated by Nos. 7, 16 and 26 Squadrons. All will be phased out and replaced by the JF-17 multi-role fighter to be complete by 2012.

Key: MR = Multi-Role, T = Training, FGA = Fighter Ground Attack, FMA = Fighter Maritime Attack, Int = Interceptor, Recce = Reconnaissance

Training aircraft

Training aircraft
Aircraft	Entry	Role	Quantity	Notes
MFI-17 Mushshak MFI-17 Mushshak MFI-395 Super Mushshak	1970s	Basic training, communications	145 115 30	115 Mushshak, 30 Super Mushshak in service as of February 2003. Some MFI-17 to be upgraded to Super Mushshak standard according to a November 2004 report.
K-8 Karakorum K-8 K-8 K-8P	1994 1994 2003 ~2005	Intermediate jet trainer	~40 6 6 28	6 K-8 powered by Honeywell TFE731 handed over to PAF on 21 September 1994 for evaluation. 12 in service as of 2004. 27 K-8P ordered in 2005, 16 delivered as of January 2009.,remaining 11 were delivered on 13 Oct 10 at Nanchang Factory of HAIG
Shenyang FT-5 FT-5	1975	Intermediate jet trainer	30	First delivered in 1975 to replace T-33A, 30 in service as of February 2004.
Shenyang FT-6 FT-6		Operational conversion	19	19 aircraft in service as of 2004.
T-37 Tweet T-37B T-37C		Intermediate jet trainer	40	A mix of T-37B, T-37C believed to be in service, 40 T-37B in service as of 2004. 20 refurbished ex-USAF T-37 delivered by end of 2008 to replace older T-37 or provide parts. T-37 to be eventually replaced with K-8P.

Transport and aerial refuelling aircraft (jet)

Transport and aerial refuelling aircraft (jet)
Aircraft	Service entry	Role	Quantity	Comments
Airbus A310 A310-300	2009	VIP transport	1	Previously operated by PIA, handed over to the PAF in November 2009.
Boeing 707 707-320	1986	Heavy-lift transport	3	Decommsined according to latest reports.Two freighters transferred from PIA in 1986, first one delivered July 1986. Conversion to aerial refuelling tankers considered but never implemented. A third aircraft in VIP transport configuration delivered in 1987.
Cessna Citation V		VIP transport	1	One aircraft in service as of 2004.
Gulf Stream IV		VIP transport	?
Embraer Phenom Phenom 100	2009	VIP transport	1	Four ordered, first aircraft delivered in March 2009.
Ilyushin Il-78 Il-78MK	2009	Aerial refueller, heavy-lift transport	2	Primarily to be used for aerial refuelling, 4 aircraft ordered from Ukrainian surplus stocks for delivery starting late 2009. First aircraft delivered 19 December 2009, remaining 3 aircraft to be delivered in 2010. Equipped with three-point Russian UPAZ refuelling equipment. Fuel tanks fitted in cargo hold for aerial refueller role can be removed for transport role.

Transport aircraft (prop)

Transport aircraft (prop)
Aircraft	Service entry	Role	Quantity	Comments
C-12 Huron		Utility aircraft, training	1
C-130 Hercules C-130B C-130E	~1960s 2005	Tactical (theatre) transport	~12 5 7	First 7 C-130B delivered by the U.S. in early 1960s, a further 4 C-130B and 5 C-130E delivered later from Iran, 2 civilian versions (L-100-20) transferred from PIA and 2 more ex-USAF C-130B models. All surviving B and E model aircraft modified with addition of Allison T56-A-15 turboprops and extended fatigue lives by Lockheed-Georgia Co. at Marietta by 1987. At least 7 attritional losses pre-1988 and 1 more in 1988. Sale of 6 ex-Australian C-130E with wing/engine/avionics upgrades, plus 1 aircraft for spare parts, concluded with U.S. in September 2004.First aircraft delivered October/November 2005.Avionics upgrades for the PAF's entire C-130 fleet also included, upgrades progressing as of 1 May 2009. During the 1965 war, modifications to enable rear ramp opening at speeds above 150 knots enabled C-130s to be used for night-time bombing of moderately defended targets.
CASA CN-235 CN-235-220	2004	Medium-lift tactical transport	4[16]	First three aircraft are military transport versions, the second aircraft was delivered in early September 2004.[59][60][61] Last of 4 aircraft delivered on 6 June 2005, equipped with VIP interior intended for transporting the PAF Chief of Air Staff.[62]
Harbin Y-12 Y-12II	1980s	Utility	2	One Afghan aircraft put into service after crew fled to Pakistan in mid 1980s.[63] Two aircraft in service as of 2004.[29]
Saab 2000	2008	VIP transport, training	1[16]	Will also be used to train aircrew for the Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C. Delivered in December 2008.

[edit] Helicopters

Helicopters
Aircraft	Service entry	Role	Quantity	Comments
Mil Mi-17 Mi-171	2002	SAR, transport	8	First batch of Mi-171 purchased for PAF and Pakistan Army Aviation Wing from Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in 2001,inducted by the PAF in 2002.
Alouette III SA-3160 SA-316B SA-319B		Utility, SAR	15 7 4 4	SA319B was locally produced.

Special mission aircraft

Special mission aircraft
Aircraft	Service entry	Role	Quantity	Comments
Dassault Falcon 20 DA-20 (EW variant)	~1987	ESM, ECM	3	Operated by No. 24 Blinders Squadron which was revived in 1987 following induction of DA-20. Participated during PAF exercises in both airborne early warning and ECM roles. First participated in a PAF exercise, in the ESM and ECM role, during Exercise High Mark 89 (14 November to 23 December 1989). Also used for ESM/ECM support during Saffron Bandit exercises of 1992, 1994, 1997 and 1999. Third aircraft delivered March 2008. Original two aircraft flown to France for upgrade and structural overhaul during 2004-2007. One Falcon 20 used for VIP transport in 1983, three Falcon 20E for VIP transport in 1986.
Saab 2000 Erieye Erieye Horizon	2009	AEW&C	2	Selected in 2005 and developed for the PAF under Project Horizon, initial order of 6 aircraft later reduced to 4. First aircraft delivered on 8 December 2009, second on 24 April 2010. Remaining 2 expected to be delivered in 2010. First aircraft flown to Grenada, Spain, in 2008 for flutter testing in hot and high conditions for 2 weeks. Underwent final testing of aircraft and systems (including radar, command and control systems, defensive aids systems, communication systems and integration with PAF Command and Control Ground Environment) in Sweden in late October 2009
Shaanxi ZDK-03 Y-8F600	2010	AEW&C	0	Reported in March 2007 to have been tested and evaluated by PAF, found to be "fairly good" but some improvements desired in both platform and radar. Order signed for 4 aircraft in December 2008, with Chinese AESA radar mounted on the Shaanxi Y-8F600 platform, designated ZDK-03. Delivery was initially reported to occur in 2011 and 2012. Delivery of first ZDK-03, designed specifically for the PAF, is now due before the end of year 2010. The aircraft is powered by four turboprop engines and its radar is reported to have a range greater than that of the Erieye radar fitted to the PAF's Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C.

Gallery of special mission aircraft

DA-20 Falcon DA-20 Falcon DA-20 Falcon Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Aircraft	Service entry	Role	Quantity	Comments
Burraq		Reconnaissance, strike	0	Unmanned aerial vehicle under development by PAF and NESCOM, armed with laser-guided missiles and laser designator. Reported to be undergoing flight-testing in May 2009.
SATUMA Jasoos II Bravo+	2009	Tactical reconnaissance, training		Formally inducted in 2009. Telemetry and ground equipment for 3rd batch of UAVs ordered July 2009, 3rd batch delivered August 2009. In use as "primary work horse for UAV Operations and Training Program."
SELEX Galileo Falco	2007/08	Surveillance	25	First production Falco UAV System reported to be ready for delivery to PAF (launch customer) in January 2007. 5 Falco UAV Systems ordered, including 25 Falco UAVs. Formally inducted in 2009, 2 systems (10 UAVs) in service by March 2009. Co-manufacture at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex began in August 2009.

Retired aircraft

Fighter aircraft

Fighter aircraft
Aircraft	In service	Peak quantity	Notes
Shenyang F-6	1965—2002	253	First 2 F-6 arrived at Sargodha Airbase from the Chinese airfield at Hotian on 20 December 1965, aircraft were equipped with VHF radios and Soviet style instruments/equipment. Induction started 30 December 1965 with 72 delivered initially, further deliveries bringing total to 253. Replacement by Chengdu F-7P began in late 1980s to mid 1990s. Retired in 2002 when squadrons 17 and 23 were re-equipped with the Chengdu F-7PG. Around 140 modifications were made to increase effectiveness in interception and close air support roles. Formally retired on 27 March 2002, last flight made over Baluchistan province. Initial batch of 60 aircraft delivered free of cost. Modified for carriage of AIM-9B Sidewinder.
North American F-86 Sabre F-86-F40 Canadair CL-13B Sabre Mk 6	1955—1980 1955—~1960s 1966—1980	120 120 ~90	F-86F replaced with 90 Canadian-built Sabre Mk 6 procured illegally from West Germany via Iran in 1966: 10 delivered in April; 20 in May; 20 in June; ~8 in October and 20 in December. A total of 320,185 hours flown by PAF pilots on the F-86. 50 CL-13 Sabre Mk 6 remained before retirement and phasing out in 1980 due to exhaustion of airframe service life.
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter F-104A F-104B	1961—1972 1961—1972 1961—1972	12 10 2	Deliveries commenced in 1961, retired in late 1972 due to lack of spare parts after US arms embargo.
Supermarine Attacker De-navalised Attacker F Mk.1 (Type 583 Attacker)	1951—1958	36	"De-navalised" version of the standard Attacker with main modifications being removal of deck-landing hook and wings being "locked down". First delivered in August 1951 to No.11 squadron. The first jet-powered fighter in PAF service. Phased out in 1958. Type 583 Attacker was a land-based variant powered by the Nene 4 turbojet, 36 built for the PAF.
Hawker Sea Fury Fury FB 60 Fury T-61	~1950—~1956	~97 ~92 5	The PAF's mainstay fighter early 1950s. Dual-seat Fury T-61 model also used for training.
Hawker Tempest Tempest II	1947—1956	16	Provided to Pakistan on formation of the Royal Pakistan Air Force, 14 August 1947. Patrolled the northern areas during first Kashmir war of 1948. Tempest IIs of No.5 Squadron based at MiranShah were used for policing the North Western Frontier region.
Supermarine Spitfire Spitfire VIII	1947		Flown by No.9 Squadron from August to December 1947.

Bomber aircraft

Bomber aircraft
Aircraft	In service	Peak quantity	Notes
B-57 Canberra B-57B B-57C RB-57F	1959—1985 1959—1985 1959—1985 1960s—1985	28 24 2 2	24 B-57B and 2 B-57C delivered to Mauripur Air Base in Karachi in 1959, all B-57B retrofitted with RB-1A all-weather bombing system starting in 1963, some also fitted with underwing hardpoints to facilitate carriage of four extra fuel tanks. Two RB-57F ELINT aircraft delivered in the early 1960s. Some 10-11 B-57s remained, being replaced in a ceremony on 27 December 1983 when No.7 Squadron was formally re-equipped with the A-5 'Fantan'[20] Inducted November 1959. 24 B-57B, 2 B-57C delivered, forming No.7 and No.8 Bomber Squadrons of No.31 Bomber Wing based at Masroor (then known as Mauripur). 2 RB-57F and 2 RB-57B also supplied to No.21 ELINT Squadron. Served in 1965 and 1971 wars, retired in 1988, 4 preserved in Pakistan and 6 dumped at Masroor.
Harbin H-5		16	Chinese-built version of the Ilyushin Il-28. 16 aircraft (1 squadron) believed to be in service during early 1970s.
Handley Page Halifax HP-57 Halifax Halifax B-VI	1948—1954 1948 1949	8 2 6	First two Halifax delivered in 1948, used during 1948 Kashmir War for night-time supply drop missions at Skardu and other northern areas of Pakistan. 6 ex-RAF Halifax B-VI delivered in 1949, equipping No.12 Heavy Bomber Squadron raised in March 1950. Squadron converted to a composite squadron of four flights, including one flight of Halifax bombers, in September 1953. Halifax aircraft transferred to long-term storage in 1954 and then disposed of as salvage. Served with No.12 Squadron, supported troops with supply drop sorties during first Kashmir war of 1948.

Training aircraft

Training aircraft
Aircraft	In service	Peak quantity	Notes
MiG-15UTI Shenyang FT-2	1960s	6	Chinese-built version of MiG-15UTI. 3-4 aircraft delivered in 1960s for final operational conversion of pilots to the Shenyang F-6.
Lockheed T-33 T-33A RT-33A	1955—1993	21 15 6	First 15 delivered 1955—1956, replacing Hawker Tempest and Hawker Fury of No.2 (Fighter Conversion) squadron at Mauripur to fulfil advanced (jet) trainer role. Performed ground-attack duties against forward area Indian targets in 1965 and 1971 wars. Replaced with Shenyang FT-5. 15 T-33A, 6 RT-33A received during 1955-56 under the US military assistance programme, equipped No. 2 Fighter Conversion Unit and a tactical reconnaissance flight, the latter becoming No. 20 Photo Reconnaissance Squadron in 1959. No.20 Squadron was number-plated in 1972, its RT-33s and other photographic equipment transferred back to No. 2 Squadron to form a recce flight. T-33 and RT-33 used for ground attack and photo recce duties in 1965 and 1971 wars against forward Indian targets. 1 T-33 lost when East Pakistani instructor pilot attempted to hijack it to India, trainee Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas forced it to crash. T-33 retired from PAF service in 1993. 6 T-33 airframes preserved, including 3 RT-33A.
T-6 Harvard T-6G	1947—1970s	12	Provided to Pakistan on formation of the Royal Pakistan Air Force, 14 August 1947. Replaced with MFI-17B Mushshak by 1980.
de Havilland Tiger Moth	1947—	7	Provided to Pakistan on formation of the Royal Pakistan Air Force, 14 August 1947.

Transport aircraft

Transport aircraft
Aircraft	In service	Peak quantity	Notes
HS.121 Trident Trident 1E	1967—	1	VIP transport, delivered to No.12 Squadron on August 1967.
SA-16 Albatross SA-16A	1950s—~1981	4	Deployed at Drigh Road (now Faisal) Airbase, Karachi, during mid-1950s as part of the Search and Rescue Flight. Also used for coastal patrol and maritime reconnaissance during 1965 war. Under control of Pakistan Navy, 4 present in October 1980, possibly retired by August 1981.
Bristol Freighter	~1950—1966	81	Purchased in early 1950s, 81 delivered, used for transport and communications. Phased out 1966 and replaced with C-130. Freighters of No.12 VIP Squadron were painted silver with a blue fuselage line and green propeller spinners; No.6 Squadron aircraft were painted with camouflage patterns and red spinners; the Transport Conversion Squadron aircraft had brown spinners.
Vickers Viking	1947—~1962	1	Inducted 1947, joined two Dakotas and two Harvards of Pakistan's first communications flight at Mauripur (now Masroor) airfield. Used exclusively to transport Governor General Muhammad Ali Jinnah, now preserved in the PAF Museum.
C-47 Dakota	1947—1955	2	Transferred to Pakistan on formation of the Royal Pakistan Air Force, 14 August 1947. Used to start the crucial Valley Flights to Pakistani Outposts in Azad Kashmir, retired from PAF service in 1955.

Helicopters

Helicopters
Aircraft	In service	Peak quantity	Notes
Sikorsky H-19 H-19D	1950s—1971	8	First helicopter operated by the PAF, 8 received in the mid-1950s and used for search and rescue operations at certain PAF bases. Phased out in 1971.
Bell H-13 Sioux		~13	Approximately 13 aircraft in service during mid-1971.
Kaman HH-43 Huskie HH-43B		4