PAF Air Refueling Capability

[hj786]

according to the new PAF book "A New Dawn" chapter 2, page 22 and it says

" an Ilyushin IL-76 transport aircraft was loaned to the PAF in early 2008, to train personnel on the large Russian jet before the IL-78 tankers arrive, sometime in 2009"

it further says....

"on acquisition of the F-16Cs, we will have to have another tanker, one with a boom to refuel the F-16s and we will essentially have to rely on our friends in the US to provide us with that, something like a KC-135, as I would rather go with a tried and tested air refueller than just grab anything".

As well as prospect of flying KC-135s, PAF personnel are now gearing up for the arrival of four Russian IL-78 tankers, with the first two expected in early 2009. Whether the PAF continues long term with the IL-78 or finds another type of aircraft is uncertain yet, but nothing will happen over the next 2-3 years - the budget has already been committed to so many programmes. The IL-78 is probe and drogue equipped, ideal for the JF-17s, but another western tanker will be needed to refuel the F-16 fleet, which is big enough now to warrant an air to air refuelling aircraft. While the latter is not in the current budget, it is a requirement for the five and ten year fiscal needs.

Thanks for that info FM sir.
PAF already have infrastructure for supporting KC-135 because they also operate the Boing 707 on which KC-135 is based.

 

[Haanzo]

As well as prospect of flying KC-135s, PAF personnel are now gearing up for the arrival of four Russian IL-78 tankers, with the first two expected in early 2009. Whether the PAF continues long term with the IL-78 or finds another type of aircraft is uncertain yet, but nothing will happen over the next 2-3 years -

are they delivered yet ,coz is already august ...its already late by 5 months then .....when will they arrive

 

[s90]

are they delivered yet ,coz is already august ...its already late by 5 months then .....when will they arrive

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3850339

 

[TOPGUN]

are they delivered yet ,coz is already august ...its already late by 5 months then .....when will they arrive

Yes 2 have already been seen Karachi int'l i have also heard from a cousin who flies for Air Blue (Pakistani Airline) and others have mentioned it as well on here!

 

[Haanzo]

Il-78 Tankers Arrive in Pakistan - Defense News

TANKS MATE but it says its incompatible with south african probes ..so what about this .....IS PAF CAPABLE OF A2A REFUELING PRESENTLY ....IF YES FROM WHEN

 

[Arsalan]

TANKS MATE but it says its incompatible with south african probes ..so what about this .....IS PAF CAPABLE OF A2A REFUELING PRESENTLY ....IF YES FROM WHEN

firstly:
it is by USMAN ANSARI!
secondly:
mirages have been fitted wiht refueling probes as a pilot project! perhaps it is an indication toward that!!

 

[blain2]

TANKS MATE but it says its incompatible with south african probes ..so what about this .....IS PAF CAPABLE OF A2A REFUELING PRESENTLY ....IF YES FROM WHEN

Not sure what suggests that the IL-78 tankers are not compatible? The PAF is undertaking an upgrade of the Mirage fleet for IFR. It is a collaboration with a South African concern which specializes in upgrading Mirages among many other things in their portfolio.

Courtesy X_man:

Its an ongoing project. The capability is obviously not operational fleet-wide.

 

[Arsalan]

have yet to see JF17 fitted wiht refueling probes. confusing!! isnt it??

 

[Muradk]

have yet to see JF17 fitted wiht refueling probes. confusing!! isnt it??

First they want to get the tanker than fit the probes.
A few members asked me why do we need a tanker now.
Answer: When a fighter is on ADA or during state of war it is loaded with all sorts of weapons by the time it stars up, taxis out, lines up and takes off it burns most of the fuel, So what they do is have a tanker above the base the fighter takes of with enough fuel to reach the tanker, It takes off with little fuel so the weight is less after take off it refuels and than the fighter is ready for action.

 

[mean_bird]

In addition to what Murad Sahab said I would like to add that when you take off, you use full afterburners-- something that consumes huge amount of fuel. So if you want your plane to be in the skies for some time, you need A2A refueling.

As the ACM said in his recent interview to janes, PAF can use the refueling to keep a jet in air for hours during the ongoing operation in FATA so when a target is identified, they can strike in mins. Similarly, when you are patrolling your borders against India both in war time and peace time, you can use A2A refueling to maximize your jet's time in the air.

Regarding why JF-17 hasn't already been fitted with refueling probes, well the refueling probes on the mirage is an experiment. When the tankers arrive, PAF will use the mirages and check out if everything works fine and if there is some design modification necessary. Once the design is okayed, the JF-17 can be fitted with them.

Most probably the provision will be made when making the JF-17s but the actual refueling probes fitted later.

 

[SSGPA1]

Pakistan Air Force to induct four midair refuellers next year

London, Aug 11 (IANS) The Pakistan-India defence forces’ one-upmanship continues with the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) announcing it would induct four airborne refuellers based on the Il-78 platform by next year – six years after India acquired six similar aircraft.

Terming midair refuelling capability “extremely significant”, PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman told Jane’s Defence Weekly: “This is an absolutely new capability we are getting, which we are inducting. We never had this capability in the Pakistan Air Force.”
And, to match the Indian Air Force’s acquisition of the first of three airborne warning and control systems (AWACS), PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman told Jane’s Defence Weekly that his force would receive four Chinese systems between 2011 and 2012.

Pakistan Air Force to induct four midair refuellers next year | Sindh Today - Online News

 

[HAIDER]

How good mirage for COIN operations ?..because its look like all old aircrafts are going to be transferred for controlling FATA insurgency .

 

[SSGPA1]

How good mirage for COIN operations ?..because its look like all old aircrafts are going to be transferred for controlling FATA insurgency .

Mirages have gone thru upgrades and for COIN they are great because the other side doesn't have any measures to counter (thus far).

 

[x_man]

In addition to what Murad Sahab said I would like to add that when you take off, you use full afterburners-- something that consumes huge amount of fuel. So if you want your plane to be in the skies for some time, you need A2A refueling.

As the ACM said in his recent interview to janes, PAF can use the refueling to keep a jet in air for hours during the ongoing operation in FATA so when a target is identified, they can strike in mins. Similarly, when you are patrolling your borders against India both in war time and peace time, you can use A2A refueling to maximize your jet's time in the air.

Although we have refuellers in place and the fighters also being modified for the operation but the actual employment of IL-78 in war and its survivability will be a big challenge for PAF against IAF BVR capability. It will be a very lucrative target for the opponent fighters and keeping in mind the very less depth of Pakistan, it will not be difficult to get it.

I know some will say that it will be escorted by our own fighters and will operate from farther bases...but once it’s in the air...it will be very very vulnerable.

 

[SSGPA1]

I know some will say that it will be escorted by our own fighters and will operate from farther bases...but once it’s in the air...it will be very very vulnerable.

Well you have a valid point.

Why do you think we procured this expensive item then?