Abingdonboy
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I can't see that any long range capability really exists with the PAF, after all the PAF is be doctrine purely a defensive force and not offensive and not expeditionary. Look at the way the PAF is structured-its main strike a/c the F-16 within the PAF doesn't even have IFR capability because the IL-78s are unable to refuel them. As such it is unlikely there will be any IFR experince within the PAF F-16 pilot cadre. Yes, a few pilots might have done some IFR in various exercises but this is hardly substantial and not enough to actually have an affect on the PAF as a whole. The PAF is structured to defend Pakistani skies and conduct CAPs not go on long-range strike missions to Israel. This is simply not a capaility the PAF has or needs to have.
And then there is the lingering issue of the infamous "kill switches" on the F-16s. If these do exist or if they don't tracking systems almost certainly are present on PAF F-16s so the US would almost certainly either flat out allow the PAF jets to go on their mission or would warn their good buddies in Israel long before PAF fighters got anywhere near Israeli airspace. And the other PAF a/c either don't have the "legs" or level of sophistication to undertake such a long range mission. And I seriously doubt the PAF pilots are trained in such missions.
I just can't see that in the condition Pakistan is in why it would invite more hardship or turmoil to the nation, it would be lunacy to say the least. Paksitan has little buisness being concerned about the ME it has bigger fish to fry closer home. There are only a handful of nations who could truly do such a mission successfully. Pakistan isn't one of them and doesn't need to be.
And then there is the lingering issue of the infamous "kill switches" on the F-16s. If these do exist or if they don't tracking systems almost certainly are present on PAF F-16s so the US would almost certainly either flat out allow the PAF jets to go on their mission or would warn their good buddies in Israel long before PAF fighters got anywhere near Israeli airspace. And the other PAF a/c either don't have the "legs" or level of sophistication to undertake such a long range mission. And I seriously doubt the PAF pilots are trained in such missions.
I just can't see that in the condition Pakistan is in why it would invite more hardship or turmoil to the nation, it would be lunacy to say the least. Paksitan has little buisness being concerned about the ME it has bigger fish to fry closer home. There are only a handful of nations who could truly do such a mission successfully. Pakistan isn't one of them and doesn't need to be.