Pakistan Air Force | News & Discussions.

[Incog_nito]

100 trainers sounds ridiculous

Come on.
M345 is a basic & intermediate Jet Trainer.
M346 is an advance Jet Trainer + LIFT.

 

[fatman17]

Super Mushshaks, Super Popular!
Published in Show Daily 2018 - Day 1

By
Alan Warnes
-
January 9, 2019

The 260hp Super Mushshak training aircraft has gained a new lease of life since a new glass cockpit has been integrated. (Alan Warnes)




The Super Mushshak trainer aircraft has seen a renaissance in its popularity since being fitted with a digital ‘glass cockpit’.

After sales to Qatar Air Force (eight) and Nigeria (10) in 2016, manufacturer Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) won its biggest export order to the Turkish Air Force for 52 aircraft in April 2017. This was followed in July 2017, by a sale of another ten to Azerbaijan.

In the space of a year or so, PAC had racked up the sale of 80 Super Mushshaks. The government owned facility is offering the 260hp piston aircraft, with options for two different glass cockpit configurations.

The Turkish AF has selected the Garmin 950 avionics suite for its aircraft, which will replace its fleet of SF260s and Cessna T-41s based at Izmir-Kaklic and Istanbul-Yesilkoy for student pilot and undergraduate training respectively. All 52 aircraft are being delivered over the next three years. The previous PAC Chairman, Air Marshal Arshad Malik, signed the deal with Turkey’s Undersecretary for Defence Industries Professor Dr. Ismail Demir, at the International Defence Exhibition and Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul in May, 2017. It came nine months after the Super Mushshak had been selected in August 2016.

The Qatar Air Force examples have all been all fitted with Garmin 950 avionics too, while the ten aircraft for Nigeria, are operated with a Dynon avionics suite. The Nigerian Air Force was initially loaned three PAC-owned and one PAF aircraft to train instructor pilots before the ten new aircraft were delivered in 2017. It is unclear which avionics system Azerbaijan selected.

The PAF’s Asghar Khan Academy operates around 60 Super Mushshaks for basic flying training and a number of them have been upgraded with the glass cockpit to train student pilots. New life has been breathed into a trainer that, PAC’s Aircraft Manufacturing Factory has been assembling and manufacturing since 1975. Until 2017, the last export customer was the Saudi Arabian Air Force which purchased 20 aircraft in 2003.



https://asianmilitaryreview.com/?bsa_pro_id=86&bsa_pro_url=1

• TAGS
• PAC
• Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
• Qatar Air Force
• Super Mushshak
• Turkish Air Force

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Alan Warnes
Alan has travelled to over 60 countries writing/taking photos of military aircraft and enjoying the many cultures he has encountered. Since 2001 has been a regular visitor to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). He has written two books on the PAF. @warnesyworld


Pakistan Air Force builds for the future
Published in Show Daily 2018 - Day 1

By
Alan Warnes
-
January 10, 2019

PAF Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan took over in March this year. (Alan Warnes)




Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), talks to IDEAS show daily correspondent Alan Warnes.

Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) knows a thing about pressure. He previously served as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) which is probably the second most demanding job in the PAF.

The PAF is on a constant state of alert along all of its borders. In the west, it has been supporting the Army against the terrorists Pakistan is trying to eliminate, while on the northern, eastern and southern boundaries comes a threat from its bigger neighbours.

There have been two wars with India and several serious stand-offs since Pakistan was founded in 1947 and the threats are growing more sophisticated through newer technologies.

The CAS’ role is to provide stability, leadership and vision for the PAF, which is regarded as one of the most professional air forces in the region. “My main role is to ensure continuity of policies and operational preparedness,” he explained at the Zhuhai Air Show in early November.

”But I am trying to build a broader and longer vision – Building a Next Generation PAF for 2047 when the PAF will be 100 years old”.

Next Generation Fighter
Spearheading that vision is the development of a 5th Generation aircraft. “We can’t afford to lag behind others”.

Regional stability is undoubtedly the focus of his concern. “The geo-political and geo-strategic situation means that we have to maintain a strategic balance in the region and we need to be build it up now”.

We know that when other countries have inducted new generation fighter aircraft, they have been badly prepared for the training. Developing a new generation aircraft is always a difficult proposition, but over the years the PAF has succeeded in facing these challenges.

“I want to make sure that we have certain potent capacities and capabilities right across our aircraft, battle systems and our training too. Education will play a big part in that. It might seem a long time away but with technologies continuing to evolve at such a fast pace we have to remain focused on what that could be.

The PAF has been working on a 5th Generation fighter for almost a year now and it is likely to take at least a couple of years before it is flying. “It is indigenous at this time – we will be self-reliant and not dependent upon western or eastern partners”.

That is a tall task, considering the Chinese have struggled to develop indigenous power plants for their own fighters, but the Chief is adamant and aware of the huge challenges the PAF faces on this project. It will of course have to be ITAR-free, because Pakistan has suffered so many times in the past from United States sanctions.

“It will be collaborated with private industry and our academia. Our Aviation City is being built up now, that will one day work towards building a brighter future for our aerospace industry. Aviation education is almost non-existent in Pakistan and we need to fix that. We are setting up our own aviation hub and now formulating our vision which will cover manufacturing facilities and laboratories”.

“We have recently opened up a new university too, albeit in a make-shift location and we will link all of this to developing our own 5th Generation fighter and commercial aircraft”.

Training
Right now the PAF fulfils its training requirements on the elderly Cessna T-37 and Hongdu K-8s. But the Chief needs something more modern. “We are upgrading the T-37s with a glass cockpit, just as we have the Super Mushshak previously”.

That’s the futuristic approach – we have to adapt them to our needs. It’s the first step.

“For future lead-in fighter training, we have evaluated certain aircraft which included the Hongdu L-15 and Leonardo M346. There might be shortfalls in some aircraft, but if they can fulfil our air staff requirements”.

The Chief’s predecessor, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman flew in the Leonardo M346 before he retired, to look at the jet-trainer’s capabilities as a LIFT. (Leonardo)
“Pakistan is a third-world country, and it might not have the same resources and finances that others might have in the region. So when the PAF does evaluate something, it is evaluated thoroughly”.

Everyone in the industry knows that the PAF are hard taskmasters, and if they want to sell to the PAF, it will evaluated from every angle. “But once we have bought something, the companies are usually very keen to market our acquisition”.

On the future, the CAS finished, “We know where we are going and we know what we need to get there”.

Chinese Mining Firm turns Cruise Missile Developer
Published in Show Daily 2018 - Day 1

By
Asian Military Review
-
January 3, 2019






Guangdong Hongda Blasting Company, a Guangzhou-based firm that specialises in commercial explosives and mining equipment, stunned the world in early October when it announced that it had successfully launched and tested a supersonic cruise missile called the HD-1.

Further details of the missile development were subsequently released by the company. These revealed that the HD-1 is a land-based precision strike weapon with a maximum range of 290km and can travel at speeds between Mach 2.2-3.5 depending on its flight profile. It can perform sea skimming anti-ship operations flying at 5-10 metres above the waves, or cruise at altitudes of up to 15km before diving down for a top attack on its target.

The HD-1 employs ramjet propulsion technology to attain its high speed, but requires a booster rocket to achieve height and sufficient speed to engage its ramjets. It is aimed at the export market and can also be adapted for air- and ship-launch operations, which expands its utility for potential customers.

Pakistan’s rapidly evolving missile arsenal forms an important part of its defence strategy and currently comprises mobile short and medium-range ballistic missiles, but it is also making significant strides into its indigenous cruise missile capability. However, its present Hatf 7 and in-development Hatf 8 cruise missiles are all subsonic types, which are less survivable in highly defended airspace.

In this context there could be a potential interest by Pakistan to acquire a capability that could match the Russo-Indian BrahMos (PJ-10) series of supersonic cruise missiles designed to be launched from land-based platforms, as well as ships, aircraft and submarines. The land- and ship-launched variants of the BrahMos are already in service with the Indian armed forces, while the air-launched version is undergoing testing.

 

[hassan1]

 

[DrWatson775]

. The PAF has been working on a 5th Generation fighter for almost a year now and it is likely to take at least a couple of years before it is flying.

Hope this is not a typo. Aiming high. Come to think about it, better to get a prototype flying early and spend more time on practical testing and integration and then move back and forth between drawing boards and testing.

 

[Windjammer]

 

[Pakistani Fighter]

The PAF has been working on a 5th Generation fighter for almost a year now and it is likely to take at least a couple of years before it is flying. “It is indigenous at this time – we will be self-reliant and not dependent upon western or eastern partners”.

What? @airomerix

Pakistan’s rapidly evolving missile arsenal forms an important part of its defence strategy and currently comprises mobile short and medium-range ballistic missiles, but it is also making significant strides into its indigenous cruise missile capability. However, its present Hatf 7 and in-development Hatf 8 cruise missiles are all subsonic types, which are less survivable in highly defended airspace.

In this context there could be a potential interest by Pakistan to acquire a capability that could match the Russo-Indian BrahMos (PJ-10) series of supersonic cruise missiles designed to be launched from land-based platforms, as well as ships, aircraft and submarines. The land- and ship-launched variants of the BrahMos are already in service with the Indian armed forces, while the air-launched version is undergoing testing.

An off topic but people here really used to say to me how Subsonic missiles are better than Supersonic but this article says otherwise

 

[airomerix]

What? @airomerix


An off topic but people here really used to say to me how Subsonic missiles are better than Supersonic but this article says otherwise

5th generation development homework has been in works since 2015.

 

[mingle]

5th generation development homework has been in works since 2015.

Engine???

 

[razgriz19]

Does Pakistan operate MC12 intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft?

I learned something very interesting about it

 

[StormBreaker]

If Turkey also gets SU-35 from Russia, I don’t see PAF NOT pursuing SU-35 in near future, like after 3 years or something.

China already operates SU-35, India has been trying to distance itself from russia lately, in many tenders. Russia and Pakistan relations are on a journey like never before, still a long way to go, but we are headed on a track which is in good terms with Russia.

Especially if Russia invests in Pakistan and makes use of it, it would like to do MORE with Pakistan.

Although, the contradicting scenario is, india re-opts for T-50, which has a potential to
Happen in cases :

• PAF gets some squadrons of FC-31 (v3 is expected to fly soon and is said to be better than F-35 in some aspects and overall far better than it’s earlier variants)
• PAF gets some Chinese flankers or V upgrades for the whole fleet (V upgrades for whole fleet will definitely leave india panicked no matter what they buy)
• AMCA doesn’t go as they expected it to happen.
• Russia improvises T-50 to match the standards and succeeds in their engine project

All these points are highlighting about in which cases india might opt for T-50s.

We at the moment can’t rule out the possibility of India acquiring F-35 if uncle sam have some desperate interests with india. Although, S-400 and F-35 together would be a rare case but india has been a rare case in many other situations as well be it iranian oil.

So back to SU-35, SU-35 would be the best ever choice we make before AZM. AZM is just on papers at the moment. Although wind tunnel testing will, is or may be done at the moment (refer to MoDP report about Wind Tunnel plans for PAC) but AZM is very far and that would be 2030-32 and God knows where world would be at that time, peace or war or destroyed.

It is inevitable that PAF will/Should get a deep strike fighter for PAF or PN in medium term, right when Block 3 production is nearing its current limit. We could possibly see our economy even booming or getting better, giving us some edge to get these toys.


BUT, even though just my wish or call it anything, SU-35 with J-20 radar and Chinese AAMs, nothing would be better in 4++ class than this SU-35P. Russia wouldn’t seem to allow this at the moment, but like said, we should persuade them, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IN THIS WORLD EXCEPT TIME TRAVEL AND KEEPING A WIFE HAPPY FOREVER.

@Windjammer @Mangus Ortus Novem @HRK @aliyusuf @Hodor

Kuch naya karne ko nai hai isliye socha wapas wohi batein shuro karden, bohat din se bekar topics chalrahe hain...

 

[StormBreaker]

O Charmer!!!!

Let me frame it differently...

What is Pakistan's current GAP when all 9 Vectors of War are considered?

And if we have a rational answer then what would be the bestest investement and in which Vector?

I would rather that instead of buy any 4th++ Gen we invest in JF and AZM...but most importantly build factory/factroies to produe aero engines under licence in Pakistan...

Another CurveBall for ya... what is Pakistan's Defence Capability in the Global Scenario? Should we forever remain India centric?

Mangus

That’s another way of looking at it with a wider and broader perspective.

Reminds me, China has been a blessing for us, given that there are possible assurances from China to provide necessary highly critical weapons and platforms as assistance or lease during war which is less likely, we have got a room to instead improvise ourselves while invest in maturing industry instead of worrying About adversaries.

Nice

 

[Ghost 125]

Does Pakistan operate MC12 intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft?

I learned something very interesting about it

Yes i think Army (MI) operates 2 or 3 for intelligence and survielence and in fact 1 crashed in rawalpindi last year

 

[aliyusuf]

If Turkey also gets SU-35 from Russia, I don’t see PAF NOT pursuing SU-35 in near future, like after 3 years or something.

China already operates SU-35, India has been trying to distance itself from russia lately, in many tenders. Russia and Pakistan relations are on a journey like never before, still a long way to go, but we are headed on a track which is in good terms with Russia.

Especially if Russia invests in Pakistan and makes use of it, it would like to do MORE with Pakistan.

Although, the contradicting scenario is, india re-opts for T-50, which has a potential to
Happen in cases :

• PAF gets some squadrons of FC-31 (v3 is expected to fly soon and is said to be better than F-35 in some aspects and overall far better than it’s earlier variants)
• PAF gets some Chinese flankers or V upgrades for the whole fleet (V upgrades for whole fleet will definitely leave india panicked no matter what they buy)
• AMCA doesn’t go as they expected it to happen.
• Russia improvises T-50 to match the standards and succeeds in their engine project

All these points are highlighting about in which cases india might opt for T-50s.

We at the moment can’t rule out the possibility of India acquiring F-35 if uncle sam have some desperate interests with india. Although, S-400 and F-35 together would be a rare case but india has been a rare case in many other situations as well be it iranian oil.

So back to SU-35, SU-35 would be the best ever choice we make before AZM. AZM is just on papers at the moment. Although wind tunnel testing will, is or may be done at the moment (refer to MoDP report about Wind Tunnel plans for PAC) but AZM is very far and that would be 2030-32 and God knows where world would be at that time, peace or war or destroyed.

It is inevitable that PAF will/Should get a deep strike fighter for PAF or PN in medium term, right when Block 3 production is nearing its current limit. We could possibly see our economy even booming or getting better, giving us some edge to get these toys.


BUT, even though just my wish or call it anything, SU-35 with J-20 radar and Chinese AAMs, nothing would be better in 4++ class than this SU-35P. Russia wouldn’t seem to allow this at the moment, but like said, we should persuade them, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IN THIS WORLD EXCEPT TIME TRAVEL AND KEEPING A WIFE HAPPY FOREVER.

@Windjammer @Mangus Ortus Novem @HRK @aliyusuf @Hodor

Kuch naya karne ko nai hai isliye socha wapas wohi batein shuro karden, bohat din se bekar topics chalrahe hain...

I think if we can muster or negotiate the finances, then, we are more likely to have access to more powerful AESA radars, Advanced EW Suite, Advanced AAM + AGM + ASM + SAM from China. Latch on as many of these on to the Thunder's coming iterations as possible and increase production capacity.

Till AZM's NGF becomes a reality, this arrangement will do quite adequately.

It is my opinion that China has surpassed Russia in electronics by leaps and bounds. And modern warfare primarily evolves around the supremacy of electronics of avionics, active & passive sensors ... like radars, RWRs and jammers. Also Chinese missiles are a better bet than their Russian counterparts.

Also, in that context, if we should require a stop gap ... then an updated Sino Flanker (J-16 or J-15B) would be a much more effective and combat savvy choice for the PAF instead of the Su-35.

That is my humble opinion on the topic.

 

[StormBreaker]

I think if we can muster or negotiate the finances, then, we are more likely to have access to more powerful AESA radars, Advanced EW Suite, Advanced AAM + AGM + ASM + SAM from China. Latch on as many of these on to the Thunder's coming iterations as possible and increase production capacity.

Till AZM's NGF becomes a reality, this arrangement will do quite adequately.

It is my opinion that China has surpassed Russia in electronics by leaps and bounds. And modern warfare primarily evolves around the supremacy of electronics of avionics, active & passive sensors ... like radars, RWRs and jammers. Also Chinese missiles are a better bet than their Russian counterparts.

Also, in that context, if we should require a stop gap ... then an updated Sino Flanker (J-16 or J-15B) would be a much more effective and combat savvy choice for the PAF instead of the Su-35.

That is my humble opinion on the topic.

I emphasized on SU-35 simply due to its design and RCS unlike J-16, J-15B but with systems and weapons if China.

 

[airomerix]

So my nephew ruined a really classy Block 52+ D model of PAF. Looks like the missing AMRAAMs will be found in India.

Now accepting condolences.