Quwa
Research Partner
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I didn't mean there's rivalry, more like, the PAF probably feels like it can't handle such a program at this time. It has its work cut out orienting itself around JF-17, AEW&C, and additional F-16s as well as integrating all of the newfound capabilities those programs bring to the table. Adding a gunship unit is an additional induction, not just from a platform perspective, but also in terms of dedicating specialists to manage its operation and grow PAF's COIN footprint. There's a bandwidth limit, and I think PA fully understands that.Long gone are the days when there used to be a rivalry between PA & PAF... Today PAF is working hand in hand with the army ... The cooperation can be witnessed in Joint Military exercises like Azm e Nau series & even in operations in WOT in FATA... Air strikes,recon,etc are bring done in real time .... Yes traditionally it's the army that operates gunships ... But we aren't talking about inducting a new platform ... Merely modernising or converting an already existing aircraft (in PAF inventory) ... Such a conversion wouldn't be very costly nor would any new training or infrastructure be required for it... PAF can either use it itself like it has been doing with the FLIR fitted C-130s etc .. Or hand over those planes to Pak army aviation corps ...
That said, I do think there will be growth in synergy as resources become available, we'll see PAF and PA work on joint programs to support COIN. I think gunships are possible, as are Hurkus or EMB-314 type aircraft to make CAS more prevalent and less costly. Not to forget further development in armed UAV technology and intelligence capabilities across the two.