Pakistan Army Air Defence

[ghazi52]

The Pakistan Army Air Defence Command, (ADC), is an active military administrative combatant staff corps of the Pakistan Army and a major combative formation tasked with air defences of the country from foreign threats. The Corps is stationed and headquartered at the Chaklala Army Cantonment in Rawalpindi, Punjab Province of Pakistan.

The command was formed following military exercises where Pakistan's military learned of its weakness in providing air cover over a moving battlefield.

It consists of a total of five military divisions spread across two geographic districts;
one tasked with air defence of the northern region of Pakistan headquartered in Lahore
and the other with the southern region commanded from Quetta.

Army Air Defence has its own school named as School of Army Air Defence (SAAD).

History

After independence only two Anti Aircrafts came into share of Pakistan.Merged with Pakistan Artillery, these units were renamed as 5 Heavy Anti Aircraft and 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiments. 5 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment was the most technical and sophisticated unit of its time. It was the HIMAD Regiment of its time having 3.7” Radar Controlled Guns with a covering range upto 18 kms. It was capable of acquiring, tracking, computing and destroying all weather air intrusions at twenty two thousand feet automatically. Since PAF had yet to be created, the base of Air Defence in Pakistan was laid by 5 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment. The unit, therefore, was naturally selected by the Father of Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the unique honour of being the First unit of the Armed Forces of Pakistan to be inspected by him on 21 February 1948.

Formative Years 1947 – 71

Limited inductions of improved short range air defence weapons resulted in a commendable anti air craft performance in the 1971 war. Anti Aircraft was then accredited with 51 aircraft, 23 alone were shot down at Dacca Air Field by 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, now 6 Light Air Defence Regiment. At the outbreak of hostilities the Anti Aircraft Arty was organized as one Army Air Defence Brigade (i.e. 3 Army Air Defence Brigade) having 12x Light Anti Aircraft Regiments, 2x (SP) Light Anti Aircraft Regiments, 3x Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiments, and 2x Independent Light Anti Aircraft Batteries. Out of these, 1x Light Anti Aircraft Regiment was deployed in East Pakistan.

The worth mentioning performance was of 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment deployed in East Pakistan (Dacca) under the Command of Brigadier (the then Lieutenant Colonel) Muhammad Afzal, SJ (Late). The unit destroyed 23x air crafts and was awarded 4x SJs. “Miss Holingworth” a BBC War Correspondent described the performance of 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment as “It has been my great desire to see aircraft shot down by Anti Aircraft guns. Today when I am watching the duels between Indian pilots and Pakistani gunners, I can see the air crafts falling like toys. This is a world record for an Anti Aircraft performance.

Anti Aircraft growth in Pakistan was relegated for the development of PAF and Artillery. Its need and importance in Air Defence was, however, highlighted by the Kashmir conflict in 1948, which resulted in some raisings. In the 1965 war even with favourable air situation, the importance and shortage of ground based Air Defence weapons were clearly brought out. Anti Aircraft was accredited with shooting down 49 enemy aircrafts in 1965.

Transition 1971-84

The 1971 War highlighted again the imbalance in the organization and development of Anti Aircraft. Anti Aircraft Command Headquarters was raised in 1975 to coordinate operational employment of all Anti Aircraft units in Pakistan. Anti Aircraft after 28 years of its existence was now to be coordinated operationally by Anti Aircraft Officers. The First General Officer Commanding Major General Iftikhar Muhammad brought in systematic and professional development of Anti Aircraft by developing a concept of surveillance and inducting the First Air Defence System after 1947 i.e radar controlled 57 mm Medium Anti Aircraft. It was a great contribution in environment of economic stringency. Being, then, a part of the Artillery, Anti Aircraft needs and priorities were neither comprehended nor given due weightage. Anti Aircraft development was relegated to a low key in the days of Martial Law.

First Five Year Development Plan 1984-89

It was only in 1984 when the first comprehensive five year development plan aiming at total development of Anti Aircraft was conceived, approved and implemented on the orders of General Khalid Mahmud Arif. This comprehensive plan envisaged Modernization, Modification, Reorganization and Indigenization.

Its concept of employment was tested and validated in Exercise Zarb-e-Momin. Army Air Defence as an operational and economical necessity had to be organized on a centralized command basis. This concept was approved for implementation in February 1991.

Consolidation 1989-91

This period spreading over a decade could be regarded as "Consolidation Phase" of Army Air Defence. The newly inducted equipment, weapons and technologies, in the shape of LAADS (Low Altitude Air Defence System) radars, RBS- 70 Missiles, Giraffe Radars, 35 mm Oerlikon Gun system along with Sky Guard Radars were absorbed; both at technical and tactical levels. This phase also saw increase in Air Defence formations and units. The employment concept and tactical doctrine were put to test and adopted subsequently.

Army Air Defence was raised on 23 March 1989, when it was separated from Artillerynd recognized as the youngest Arm of Pakistan Army, given the name 'Army Air Defence'. This was officially proclaimed on 10 October 1989. Army Air Defence successfully faced the challenge by reorganizing in harmony with its Concept of Integrated Air Defence.

Year 2000 Onwards

As Army Air Defence is a dynamic arm and it has to keep pace with the fast changing technology and ever increasing/changing air threat. Therefore, a "New Air Defence Concept" based on re-organization of Air Defence Units, selective modernizations and induction of new weapons and equipment was evolved. The same was presented at various forums and modified in the light of recommendations by various headquarters/ organization. As a result of extensive mutual discussions, exhaustive staff work followed by field trails of proposed organizations, the same was approved in October 2003.

 

[ghazi52]

War Performance

1948 War

More-so, the time fuze of Heavy Anti Aircraft guns brought a total surprise to Indians. In Pandu and Chota Kazi Nag Sector, four Anti Aircraft guns were deployed besides Medium and field artillery. In Uri and Akhnur Sectors, 2 x Heavy Anti Aircraft guns and 4 x Light Anti Aircraft guns participated in Artillery duels. Despite lack of tracks, Captain Abid Hussain Shah (later Major Abid Hussain took the guns to a position in Babot and positioned them on 5 December 1948, which surprised every one. Even General Tottenham, the General Officer Commanding had to call Captain Abid and congratulate him for a job which was almost impossible.

Besides use in ground role, these guns never allowed the Indian Reconnaissance planes to enter the area and take photographs. The performance of Anti Aircraft gunners, though negligible; had been commendable from all angles.

The Indian Summer Offensive in Jhelum valley started in May 1948. Besides Field Artillery to support the ground offensive of our infantry, the 3.7 inch Heavy Anti Aircraft guns ex 5 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment and 40 mm Anti Aircraft guns of 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment were also employed/deployed in ground role to augment the fire power of field Artillery. It may be mentioned that at various places these Anti Aircraft guns proved more effective (basing direct firing weapons).

1965 War

• 132 Battery - Ravi Bridge
• 133 Battery - Kala Ordnance depot
• 134 Battery - Chenab Bridge
• 135 Battery – Jhelum Bridge

29 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was similarly scattered:-

• 112 Battery - Ravi Bridge
• 111 Battery - Kharian
• 110 Battery - Chenab Bridge
• 109 Battery - Jhelum Bridge

In August, 110 and 111 batteries moved to Chamb and came under command 4 Corps Artillery. On 6 September 111 Battery moved to Sialkot with 4 Corps Artillery. 110 Battery remained with 7 Division. On 10 September 109 Battery moved from Jhelum bridge and joined 11 Division.

19 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, a unit organic to 1 Armoured Division sent three batteries to Sialkot to join 4 Corps Artillery, which now had two batteries from two different units, 49 (SP) and 135 batteries were deployed to protect bridges on BRB and Ruhi nullah, road Kasur-Khem Karn.

Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and 20 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment were the only anti-aircraft units employed as such, the former at Mauripur and the later at Sargodha air base. 13 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment was deployed as follows:-

• 14 Battery -Sargodha Air Base
• 20 Battery -Peshawar Air Base
• 33 Battery -Sakesar Air Base

5 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment sent 18 Battery to Badin and 12 Battery to Korangi Creek.

On 6 September 33 Battery, 36 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, moved from Kala to Sargodha air base and came under command 20 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Sargodha now had five batteries from three different regiments. On 12 September 135 Battery was moved from Jhelum bridge and joined II Division Artillery, which formation now had four batteries from three different regiments. On 13 September 132 Battery moved from Ravi bridge to north Syphon. Admittedly, some grouping was necessitated by deficiency of anti-aircraft units and some of the moves were dictated by tactical compulsions. Nevertheless the complete hodge-podge obtained by 13 September may be attributed only to lack of foresight.

Despite the disruption of command structure the performance of anti- aircraft units was commendable.

In face of our anti-aircraft artillery, Indian aircraft seldom pressed home their attacks with any degree of precision. Approximately thirty aircraft were shot down during the period of fighting. In terms of cost effectiveness our anti-aircraft artillery units had more than earned their keep.

Anti-Aircraft units by virtue of their role may operate, if necessary as sub-units, as well. However, there is no justification for their commitment in complete disregard of command structure. The intimacy of leadership is an element of strength in the operational performance of any military organisation. To eliminate this element is to deprive the unit of that much strength. In 1965 war anti- aircraft units were indeed scattered with almost lunatic abandon.


1971 War

Guns That Played Havoc With IAF During 1971 War 37 MM AA Gun​

Resources

In 1971 anti-aircraft artillery resources consisted of the following :-

• 3 Anti-Aircraft Brigades, responsible for defence of Pakistan Air Force installations and Naval Dockyard at Karachi
• Anti-Aircraft units organic to field formations
• Anti-Aircraft Mujahid companies under command logistic areas

Anti-Aircraft resources were inadequate for the number of installations whose security was necessary to the successful prosecution of war. The air installations, quite rightly, received the highest priority. Next came Naval dockyards and some important bridges. The oil installations and railway remained largely unprotected. Some were given Mujahid sub- units, whose equipment was defective and whose personnel were mildewed ex-servicemen. From 4 December onwards Indian air attacks were focused on railway engines and oil installations.

The anti-aircraft units had mixture of British, American and Chinese equipment. Most of the equipment was of World War II vintage. Despite this handicap anti-aircraft units were employed judicially and fought with gallantry, according to an Indian web site (www.Bharat-Rakshak.com/IAF/History/Misc/Loss1971.html). 48% losses were caused by ground fire compared to 30% air to air combat losses.



List of enemy Aircrafts and helicopters destroyed

List of enemy Aircrafts and helicopters destroyeddamaged by Army Air Defence

1965

Pakistan claims hitting of 110 aircraft, of which 32 were shot down by Anti Aircraft gunners.

1971

Pakistan claims hitting of 104x aircraft, which 39 were shot down by gt fire, more than half of East Pakistan.

Deployment at Siachin

From October 1995 to June 1997 total of 17 Indian helicopters were destroyed out of which 4 are confirm hits.

List of Honours and Awards

(Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers & Soldiers ex Army Air Defence)

Honours and Awards	War 1965	War 1971
Sitara-i-Jurat​	04​	21​
Tamgha-i-Jurat​	08​	25​
Imtiazi Sanad​	15​	21​
Total​	27​	67​

 

[ghazi52]

ILM	KNOWLEGE
AMAL	APPLICATION
IZZAT	HONOUR

 

[ghazi52]

 

[DJ_Viper]

I wrote somewhere else today, there was a news that Taliban tested a rocket / missile capable of hitting targets 20-30km's away. This is most threatening to Pakistan I think (like the past). So, Pakistan should focus on creating an Anti-Missile system (or ABM), sort of modeled like Israel's Arrow and Barak layers of missiles. It may be based on Chinese FT /HQ9 and SD-10 (hi - lo/medium)?
Are there any internal efforts going on with regards to building some anti-missile system?

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

School of Army Air Defence


History

School of Anti Aircraft Artillery was established in 1941 at Clifton, Karachi and is one of the oldest institutions of Pakistan Army. The school played an active role in training of all ranks of Anti Aircraft Artillery during the Second World War. Later on, the School was shifted to Malir cantonment and has been meeting the training requirements of Anti Aircraft Artillery of Pakistan Army. Consequent to advancement in air threat and the trend of arms expansion, the Anti Aircraft Artillery was bifurcated in 1989 from its parent arm and was renamed as School of Army Air Defence.

Location

The School is situated in Malir cantonment, which is about 7 km north east of Quaid-e-Azam International Airport. Malir cantonment is located in south east of Karachi and enjoys all the facilities of a modern cantonment. Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan, the capital of Sindh and has all the facilities of a modern metropolitan city.

The climate of Karachi, influenced by the Arabian Sea, generally remains moderate. The months of December and January are slightly cold. At times cold spells lasting two or three days, caused by Siberian winds blowing over Baluchistan Province, may be experienced during these months. Weather in the months of May and October is hot and maximum temperature occasionally exceeds 32 degree centigrade. The weather usually remains dry, however, Karachi receives some rainfall during the monsoon season in the months of June, July and August.

Educational Philosophy

To identify the quantum of air threat to national, strategic and military targets and to enable officers and selected ranks to respond in a uniformed manner by imparting them progressive training corresponding with their ranks and service.

To impart technical and tactical training to all air defence officers and selected ranks in order to make them proficient in handling/deployment of air defence weapons and to train them to counter the expected air threat effectively. In addition, it produces instructors and staff officers to meet the requirements of Air Defence School, Centre and formations.

The Faculty

In order to ensure high standard of training, Air Defence officers having a high career profile and outstanding performance in profession are posted as instructors. In addition to the instructional staff from own arm, the faculty also has instructor officers from Pakistan Air Force, Armoured Corps, Infantry and Artillery. All instructors of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above and Majors of tactical wing are Staff Course and Gunnery Staff Course qualified. Whereas rest of the instructor officers are selected on merit after their Gunnery Staff Course. All assistant instructors detailed on various courses are position holders from their respective trade courses. The medium of instruction for all Officers’ courses is English, whereas Junior Commissioned Officers’ and Non Commissioned Officers’ courses are taught in Urdu language.

Campus

The campus area is approximately 4 square kilometers and houses number of training and administrative blocks, living accommodation for staff and students. It has a well-established officers mess, a large mosque and a sports complex.

Conclusion

The Army Air Defence Corps is dynamic in nature and is likely to further expand and modernize. The school and centre are trying its best to meet the new challenges squarely for which long term plans have already been made.

 

[ghazi52]

Anti-Air-Craft Demonstration At Landikotal, Khyber Pass, 1930's (c).

 

[TheSnakeEatingMarkhur]

Pakistan Millitary needs to create a unified system which I think they are working on, atleast PAF and PN are working on it under Project Vision. And I feel PA is also included into it as AD is under them PAF identifies the threats and reports it to AD units which neutralise it if PAF CAPs or the jets scrambled by PAF Alert fail to take care of it.

Pakistan army should add tech to these land based AD systems like AA Guns or other small assets.

I have came across these but I dont know if they are widely deployed by AD.

New upgrade of Chinese-made 37mm anti-aircraft gun with laser sight and ballistic computer 12411161 | IDEAS 2016 Official Online Show Daily News | Defence security military exhibition 2016 daily news category

And these are locally made too. Cant find the source but have seen em listed by one of the private sector companies.

 

[waqasmwi]

What about cities and mass population? Are they being protected by any defense system. I know military installation and hardware are being protected by air defense systems. But in war, big cities will also be a target

 

[Inception-06]

A copy paste thread with wrong pictures ! Why this guy is allowed to open such low quality Threads. @SQ8

 

[Xtreme_2000]

HQ16 test firing

 

[ghazi52]

.,.,
IBIS-150 S-band search and tracking radar of Pakistan Army Air Defence with a range of 150 km being displayed at IDEAS 2022..

 

[ghazi52]

,.,.,.,

Pakistan displays Oerlikon GD 35mm twin cannon anti-aircraft gun with Sky Guard FC radar at IDEAS 2022.

 

[ghazi52]

.,.,.
There was a time when Pakistan's Primary Air defence was determined by its Airforce not by its SAMs but now with the Acquisition of HQ 9P HIMAD Systems and HQ 16 Medium range Air Defence Systems, Pakistan's Air space is secure more than ever.