Of course.It is stupid to assume PAF could gain air superiority over whole India with limited assets it had.We had limited ammo, limited air crafts that too with sanctions so spares were running out fast and limited fuel reserve so to say that Hell in those days, we had areas within Westers borders where PAF could not reach due to lack of air bases and logistics...PAF should have established air sup over East Pakistan and Kashmir is quite frankly stupid.We only had 1 sqd in East Pakistan anyway.Air Power alone does not win you war.Us had Complete Air Superiority over Vietnam..but lost 50,000+ soldiers.
Actually, IAF too sent it's pilots to USA for training..In fact, there was this pilot can't remember his name who was shot down over Lahore by some PAF Pilot and on the ground was joined by another PAF Pilot who was his course mate in USA.
Well, the IAF was massive even in 65 and 71 but it helped us it brought the best out of our Pilots..they went to the extreme limits of jets.If we had air force the size of IAF i can assure you IAF would have been annihilated in very first few days..Unfortunately IAf could not do it with PAF.With the current state of PAF , yes you're correct however in 5 years situation will change.. Induction of BVR, Datalinks, AWACS, Refuelers etc will change situation.Of course we never had and never will match Indians in quantity.
I never mentioned gaining total air control over whole of India! I meant the Battlespace, that is Kashmir etc.
Air Power alone can crush an Army, in Vietnam it was guerrilla warfare mate, you are comparing apples and oranges! If PAF had total superiority, it would have decimated the Indian War Machine, and the Indian Army would never have risen again to free Bangladesh in 71.
You see, USAF destroyed Saddams army single handedly I would say, because when it came on Ground, all of them ran away. But the USAF cant win the current Insurgency in Iraq, because it Guerrilla Warfare! The Vietnamese had Ace pilots and would give the USAF a run when it could too! Its offtopic, But I brought it in to show you the Futility of your Apple/Orange agenda!!!
So you mean to say, India and USA were chums? Come on, sending some pilots for Training wont change the fact that the Soviets were supplying us, and Training us to Fly their machines! The Russians and US built their planes for different purposes, you cant Use Russian planes the way you use the US ones, atleast way back then. They neede change in tacts, and the Top Brass of IAF followed the Russian Model. The US till recently, thought IAF is still under the Russian doctrine, but after the various Excercises, they have said that IAF has changed their training pattern and brought in the best of east/west and change of tactics mid air etc. Dig out the sources if you want, I am not bothering!
You are right with your last part, the huge Size of IAF brought out the Best in your Pilots and made them excel and fight against Odds. I am sure, it might be the case now also.
So you agree IAF was not annihilated in the 65 war, and you guys didnt have complete Superiority! You didnt have to say this much to finally come down and agree with me! God Speed.
, I was trying to be Sane. I was not trying to be conciliatory, I was trying to put up the facts, which I feel are correct. I hope you will look around before you post now on.
.I assume you are talking about Muradk well you only have to check my previous posts.He is my favorite poster here and i am huge fan of Sir Muradk.He is my role model (I too wanted to defend Pakistan but cannot enter Air Force and Army due to medical issues..).May god give Pakistan more patriots like Sir Muradk.He is one of the most patriotic Pakistani..its due to people like him Indian Army could not lunch at Lahore GymKhanna.
