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LONDON: Pakistan Air Force plans to induct four Chinese airborne refullers next year, in a move to counter the Indian Air Forces' enhanced capabilities after New Delhi acquired six similar aircraft, the PAF chief has said.
Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman underlined that the airborne refullers were necessary to match the IAF, six years after India acquired six similar aircraft.
"This is an absolutely new capability we are getting, which we are inducting. We never had this capability in the Pakistan Air force," Suleman told the Jane's Defence Weekly.
He said to match the Indian Air Force's acquisition of the first of three Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), his force would receive four Chinese systems between 2011 and 2012.
He also termed as "alarming" the IAF's intention of purchasing 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft, saying Pakistan needed "to have something matching.
Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman underlined that the airborne refullers were necessary to match the IAF, six years after India acquired six similar aircraft.
"This is an absolutely new capability we are getting, which we are inducting. We never had this capability in the Pakistan Air force," Suleman told the Jane's Defence Weekly.
He said to match the Indian Air Force's acquisition of the first of three Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), his force would receive four Chinese systems between 2011 and 2012.
He also termed as "alarming" the IAF's intention of purchasing 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft, saying Pakistan needed "to have something matching.