PanzerKiel
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CAS is a time sensitive element and PAF is unlikely to be able to provide assets for this mission set. Given the relative size of PAF compared to IAF, there just isn't enough resources to practically provide CAS.
PA now will potentially have a large number of artillery, tanks (relatively), APCs, etc. But modern combat indicates the effectiveness of an air component. Following are the force multipliers discovered in the past 40 years or so:
1. CAS either fixed wing or rotary
2. Heliborne force projection, particularly useful in the mountains
3. UAVs for recce and armed UAVs
First coming to force multipliers...
This term may mean nothing. It was first applied to E3 AWACS, and the implication was that its command and control features permitted the more effective use of fighters. Thus instead of adding more fighters to meet a threat, you could procure AWACS, which would multiply the combat power of your fighters.
But then, all improvements to command and control are FORCE MULTIPLIERS, as are all improvements to weapons, intelligence, leadership, logistics, tactics, strategy and diplomacy.
Examples of possible force multipliers
PGMs since they reduce number of sorties needed to kill a target.
ATMGs provide an eco way to take out much expensive tanks.
Our military institutions since they enhance our leadership standards and permit an efficient use of existing force.
EW units since they give a more precise know how of opponent's moves, enabling own efficient use of force.
Vehicles with balloon tyres in desert since they have improved mobility, which improves logistics, which improves combat power.
Any defence treaty can be termed as a force multiplier since it can enable you to free forces from a particular front to be employed en masse at another place.
CAS is a time sensitive element and PAF is unlikely to be able to provide assets for this mission set. Given the relative size of PAF compared to IAF, there just isn't enough resources to practically provide CAS.
PA now will potentially have a large number of artillery, tanks (relatively), APCs, etc. But modern combat indicates the effectiveness of an air component.
In fact, the best way to defeat Indian armor is from the air.
It is correct to deduce that PAF may not be able to provide CAS in an ideal sense, but the we also should not say that it will not be at all available. You can ask a pilot what a single 2000 or 5000 pounder dumb bomb does to a large area, it may completely deny it to another force for any period of time.
Since concern is much more for IA armor, do please keep in your count the thousands of ATGMS (BSWS) we have been making over decades, coupled with imports of BGM-71 and its variants. Present understanding is that unless you find an armor regiment, brigade or a division concentrated in a specific area, it will be under-utilization of PAF to be used on scattered targets. Aim is, if PAF (our strat asset) ought to be used, it should then create comparative strat effects as well, which cannot be accrued by targeting smaller targets.