fatman17
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 32,563
- Reaction score
- 98
- Country
- Location
AFD Interview: Pakistan Air Force Chief
Posted on: October 15.
Air Chief Marshal Tahrir Rafiqui Butt, an F-16 pilot, has been the Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff since March 2012. Via PAF
AFD’s Alan Warnes talks exclusively to Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tahrir Rafiqui Butt who has given few interviews since entering office in March 2012.
PAKISTAN HAS suffered its own unique share of troubles in recent years and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) found itself involved in trying to solve many of them. “The regional geo-political situation, on-going operations in north-west Pakistan and internal security have been the biggest challenges for the PAF since I came to office in March 2012” the Chief told me.
Maintaining the required operational readiness must be quite a burden on the PAF’s ageing resources, but the PAF CAS appears to have risen to these challenges. The PAF has also been engaging with ‘miscreants’ in the Federally Administered Territorial Areas (FATA) while supporting many agencies on the ground. “We have a heightened alert status and operations are regularly being flown in support of sister services [like the Pakistan Army]/Law Enforcement Agencies and security of PAF installations” he adds.
Having all this to contend with would challenge any air force and while Pakistan has not suffered such catastrophic floods as it did in 2010-11, torrential rains inundated large portions of lower Punjab and Sindh Provinces in 2012, which once again saw the PAF provide timely relief efforts as ACM Tahrir tells me, “The PAF has always been at the forefront in relief and rehabilitation work during natural disasters in Pakistan, like floods and earthquakes. In 2011 and 2012, PAF conducted rescue and relief operations to augment efforts by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). We evacuated over 23,700 people in distress and transported goods in excess of 9,550 tonnes to flood or rain affected areas across Pakistan.”
One of the ten Alouette IIIs donated by Switzerland in the aftermath of the 2010 floods is seen here receiving attention at Peshawar. During Pakistan’s regular humanitarian crisis’, the helicopters are operated on behalf of the National Disaster Management Authority, as the big badge on the side depicts. AFD-Alan Warnes
Alouette Ills and Mi-17s played a big part in these operations. Justifiably proud of the PAF helicopter fleet and the tireless work put in, that does not always get the recognition it deserves, the CAS reeled off an impressive set of statistics, “During 2010, PAF Alouette III helicopters flew 479 relief sorties transporting over 50 tonnes of cargo and PAF Mi-171s flew 374 relief sorties transporting 49 tonnes of loads. After massive floods that year, the Swiss Government subsequently donated ten ex Swiss Air Force Alouette IIIs to the PAF. In 2011, the former Swiss helicopters were put to good use, flying 115 relief sorties that transported 80 tonnes of relief goods while Ml-171 flew 50 sorties transporting 44 tonnes. In 2012 the PAF Alouette Ill fleet flew 120 missions and the Ml-171s did 40 flights transporting 92 tons of relief aid.
At the same time, the PAF’s ageing fighter inventory is causing another challenge, as the PAF CAS acknowledges, “Obsolescence and the need to replace some of our fighter fleet (particularly the F-7P and Mirage aircraft) is a concern. AFHQ remains engaged in finding viable solutions to major challenges, but this doesn’t deter the flying squadron implementing training programmes of newly inducted capabilities.”
All the fighter squadrons have deployed to Mushaf Air Base for Exercise Saffron Bandit over the past 18 months, allows personnel to refresh their current skills and learn new ones in the new range the PAF has developed nearby.
Resplendent in Pakistan’s national colour is JF-17 is 09-111 flown by the ‘Black Spiders’ at Peshawar. The JF-17 will play a big part in the PAF’s future strategy. AFD-Alan Warnes
The JF-17 has been flying since March 2007 and it is no mean feat setting up aircraft production in a country where there is no real aerospace labour force or experience. The Chief continues, “JF-17 production is moving along smoothly. Planned milestones have been achieved to date and a total of 45 JF-17s have been inducted. These aircraft are operating in two squadrons and a flight test unit established at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. Plans to raise a third squadron this year is on but is being held back due to some administrative compulsions. Whenever these are addressed one of F-7 squadrons will be replaced”.
“The F-7Ps and Mirages are expected to be replaced by the JF-17 Thunder over time, with production of JF-17 Block 1 almost complete, they should start replacing F-7Ps this year.” CAS adds.
The first 50 Block I aircraft are the basic version, but production of the next batch of 50 Block IIs is expected soon. These aircraft will include new radar upgrades, air to air refuelling probes and more sophisticated weapons. The CAS would not be drawn on when production of these aircraft would commence, preferring just to say, “A lot of activity including activation of the JF-17 Block II has taken place during the past 18 months. Numerous operationalization and training activities have been accomplished. We have also established a centre of excellence (COE) for maintenance requirement of the fleet. The JF-17 participated in Zhuhai Air Show last year and the project received the Aviation Laureate Award for the best collaboration effort, between Pakistan and China. JF-17s will also participate in Dubai Air Show during November”.
A pilot walks down the steps from his cockpit to waiting technicians. This PAF F-16A MLU, seen in June 2012, is one of 41 being upgraded by Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara. Half of the aircraft had been completed by early October 2013. AFD-Alan Warnes
PAF modernisation is not all about JF-17s though. The PAF is currently taking delivery of 41 F-16 Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) jets under Peace Drive II, which also includes several aircraft going through Falcon Up. The first deliveries took place in February 2012 after spending around 18 months at Turkish Aerospace Industries. The modernization is expected to be completed next year. The F-16MLUs will provide Pakistan’s F-16 with a 24 hour day/night capability which is badly needed. Half of them have now been delivered back to the PAF. “The newly upgraded F-16 MLU jets are being operated from Shahbaz Air Base and arrangements are being made for their re-basing to other locations. Other than engine and Conformal Fuel Tanks, the F-16 MLU and F-16C/D Blk-52+ are similar. Both versions have excellent night attack capabilities.”
While the PAF’s focus remains on induction of more JF-17s, it continues to monitor and assess other possible needs. “We continue to evaluate various possibilities of other weapon systems including fighter aircraft. Depending upon the options and availability of funds, some inductions could possibly materialize in the not too distant future”.
Another important development recently is the induction of additional K-8Ps and Excess Defence Article (EDA) T-37s released by the USA in 2011, which has helped in the revision of basic flying training for student pilots. “The K-8Ps and more T-37 aircraft have been great for our training aspirations. It has allowed us to replace the vintage FT-5 jets with modern K-8Ps at No 1 Fighter Conversion Unit (FCU) for pilots destined to fly F-7Ps, Mirages, F-16s or JF-17s. Based on future requirements, the PAF over the past three years has increased its aircrew induction. Moreover, inclusion of a flying aptitude test and inclusion of simulator training for K-8, K-8P and T-37 students has substantially increased the value of training, resulting in a higher number of flying graduates, with attrition now being negligible.
Over the past decade the PAF has started to train with more foreign countries, initially in the Exercise Anatolian Eagle with the Turkish Air Force in 2004. Since then their desire to learn has taken them to Red Flag in the USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey and China. “Over the past 16 months we have attended Exercise Anatolian Eagle 2012 in June at Konya, Turkey and the Advanced Tactical Leadership Course (ATLC) at Abu Dhabi, UAE in December 2012. During March 2013, the PAF hosted Indus Viper 2013, an international exercise [at Mushaf] and participated in a tri-lateral exercise at Ta’if, Saudi Arabia in May 2013.
Then in September we flew our fighters to China for Exercise Shaheen II. The PAF may also join ATLC 2013 with participation at Dubai Air Show in November 2013 too.”
PAF and PLAAF personnel pose together during Exercise Shaheen II, held at Hotain in September 2013. Via PAF
The Chief added “As I have already stated on several occasions, the PAF is ready to defend the aerial frontiers of Pakistan under all conditions. For that, we keep our personnel and equipment in a high state of readiness at our Main Operating Bases with proven capability to deploy at short notices. In the past, we have demonstrated our resolve and were ready at short notice to counter any threat.”
He rounded up by saying “Air power is an offensive tool in the hands of any Commander. Historically, PAF has always believed in offensive application for our national defence and the strategy is deeply embedded in our plans for any contingency that we might confront”.
Posted on: October 15.
Air Chief Marshal Tahrir Rafiqui Butt, an F-16 pilot, has been the Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff since March 2012. Via PAF
AFD’s Alan Warnes talks exclusively to Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tahrir Rafiqui Butt who has given few interviews since entering office in March 2012.
PAKISTAN HAS suffered its own unique share of troubles in recent years and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) found itself involved in trying to solve many of them. “The regional geo-political situation, on-going operations in north-west Pakistan and internal security have been the biggest challenges for the PAF since I came to office in March 2012” the Chief told me.
Maintaining the required operational readiness must be quite a burden on the PAF’s ageing resources, but the PAF CAS appears to have risen to these challenges. The PAF has also been engaging with ‘miscreants’ in the Federally Administered Territorial Areas (FATA) while supporting many agencies on the ground. “We have a heightened alert status and operations are regularly being flown in support of sister services [like the Pakistan Army]/Law Enforcement Agencies and security of PAF installations” he adds.
Having all this to contend with would challenge any air force and while Pakistan has not suffered such catastrophic floods as it did in 2010-11, torrential rains inundated large portions of lower Punjab and Sindh Provinces in 2012, which once again saw the PAF provide timely relief efforts as ACM Tahrir tells me, “The PAF has always been at the forefront in relief and rehabilitation work during natural disasters in Pakistan, like floods and earthquakes. In 2011 and 2012, PAF conducted rescue and relief operations to augment efforts by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). We evacuated over 23,700 people in distress and transported goods in excess of 9,550 tonnes to flood or rain affected areas across Pakistan.”
One of the ten Alouette IIIs donated by Switzerland in the aftermath of the 2010 floods is seen here receiving attention at Peshawar. During Pakistan’s regular humanitarian crisis’, the helicopters are operated on behalf of the National Disaster Management Authority, as the big badge on the side depicts. AFD-Alan Warnes
Alouette Ills and Mi-17s played a big part in these operations. Justifiably proud of the PAF helicopter fleet and the tireless work put in, that does not always get the recognition it deserves, the CAS reeled off an impressive set of statistics, “During 2010, PAF Alouette III helicopters flew 479 relief sorties transporting over 50 tonnes of cargo and PAF Mi-171s flew 374 relief sorties transporting 49 tonnes of loads. After massive floods that year, the Swiss Government subsequently donated ten ex Swiss Air Force Alouette IIIs to the PAF. In 2011, the former Swiss helicopters were put to good use, flying 115 relief sorties that transported 80 tonnes of relief goods while Ml-171 flew 50 sorties transporting 44 tonnes. In 2012 the PAF Alouette Ill fleet flew 120 missions and the Ml-171s did 40 flights transporting 92 tons of relief aid.
At the same time, the PAF’s ageing fighter inventory is causing another challenge, as the PAF CAS acknowledges, “Obsolescence and the need to replace some of our fighter fleet (particularly the F-7P and Mirage aircraft) is a concern. AFHQ remains engaged in finding viable solutions to major challenges, but this doesn’t deter the flying squadron implementing training programmes of newly inducted capabilities.”
All the fighter squadrons have deployed to Mushaf Air Base for Exercise Saffron Bandit over the past 18 months, allows personnel to refresh their current skills and learn new ones in the new range the PAF has developed nearby.
Resplendent in Pakistan’s national colour is JF-17 is 09-111 flown by the ‘Black Spiders’ at Peshawar. The JF-17 will play a big part in the PAF’s future strategy. AFD-Alan Warnes
The JF-17 has been flying since March 2007 and it is no mean feat setting up aircraft production in a country where there is no real aerospace labour force or experience. The Chief continues, “JF-17 production is moving along smoothly. Planned milestones have been achieved to date and a total of 45 JF-17s have been inducted. These aircraft are operating in two squadrons and a flight test unit established at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. Plans to raise a third squadron this year is on but is being held back due to some administrative compulsions. Whenever these are addressed one of F-7 squadrons will be replaced”.
“The F-7Ps and Mirages are expected to be replaced by the JF-17 Thunder over time, with production of JF-17 Block 1 almost complete, they should start replacing F-7Ps this year.” CAS adds.
The first 50 Block I aircraft are the basic version, but production of the next batch of 50 Block IIs is expected soon. These aircraft will include new radar upgrades, air to air refuelling probes and more sophisticated weapons. The CAS would not be drawn on when production of these aircraft would commence, preferring just to say, “A lot of activity including activation of the JF-17 Block II has taken place during the past 18 months. Numerous operationalization and training activities have been accomplished. We have also established a centre of excellence (COE) for maintenance requirement of the fleet. The JF-17 participated in Zhuhai Air Show last year and the project received the Aviation Laureate Award for the best collaboration effort, between Pakistan and China. JF-17s will also participate in Dubai Air Show during November”.
A pilot walks down the steps from his cockpit to waiting technicians. This PAF F-16A MLU, seen in June 2012, is one of 41 being upgraded by Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara. Half of the aircraft had been completed by early October 2013. AFD-Alan Warnes
PAF modernisation is not all about JF-17s though. The PAF is currently taking delivery of 41 F-16 Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) jets under Peace Drive II, which also includes several aircraft going through Falcon Up. The first deliveries took place in February 2012 after spending around 18 months at Turkish Aerospace Industries. The modernization is expected to be completed next year. The F-16MLUs will provide Pakistan’s F-16 with a 24 hour day/night capability which is badly needed. Half of them have now been delivered back to the PAF. “The newly upgraded F-16 MLU jets are being operated from Shahbaz Air Base and arrangements are being made for their re-basing to other locations. Other than engine and Conformal Fuel Tanks, the F-16 MLU and F-16C/D Blk-52+ are similar. Both versions have excellent night attack capabilities.”
While the PAF’s focus remains on induction of more JF-17s, it continues to monitor and assess other possible needs. “We continue to evaluate various possibilities of other weapon systems including fighter aircraft. Depending upon the options and availability of funds, some inductions could possibly materialize in the not too distant future”.
Another important development recently is the induction of additional K-8Ps and Excess Defence Article (EDA) T-37s released by the USA in 2011, which has helped in the revision of basic flying training for student pilots. “The K-8Ps and more T-37 aircraft have been great for our training aspirations. It has allowed us to replace the vintage FT-5 jets with modern K-8Ps at No 1 Fighter Conversion Unit (FCU) for pilots destined to fly F-7Ps, Mirages, F-16s or JF-17s. Based on future requirements, the PAF over the past three years has increased its aircrew induction. Moreover, inclusion of a flying aptitude test and inclusion of simulator training for K-8, K-8P and T-37 students has substantially increased the value of training, resulting in a higher number of flying graduates, with attrition now being negligible.
Over the past decade the PAF has started to train with more foreign countries, initially in the Exercise Anatolian Eagle with the Turkish Air Force in 2004. Since then their desire to learn has taken them to Red Flag in the USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey and China. “Over the past 16 months we have attended Exercise Anatolian Eagle 2012 in June at Konya, Turkey and the Advanced Tactical Leadership Course (ATLC) at Abu Dhabi, UAE in December 2012. During March 2013, the PAF hosted Indus Viper 2013, an international exercise [at Mushaf] and participated in a tri-lateral exercise at Ta’if, Saudi Arabia in May 2013.
Then in September we flew our fighters to China for Exercise Shaheen II. The PAF may also join ATLC 2013 with participation at Dubai Air Show in November 2013 too.”
PAF and PLAAF personnel pose together during Exercise Shaheen II, held at Hotain in September 2013. Via PAF
The Chief added “As I have already stated on several occasions, the PAF is ready to defend the aerial frontiers of Pakistan under all conditions. For that, we keep our personnel and equipment in a high state of readiness at our Main Operating Bases with proven capability to deploy at short notices. In the past, we have demonstrated our resolve and were ready at short notice to counter any threat.”
He rounded up by saying “Air power is an offensive tool in the hands of any Commander. Historically, PAF has always believed in offensive application for our national defence and the strategy is deeply embedded in our plans for any contingency that we might confront”.
