@MastanKhan
Sir... on the contrary... Can this event highlight PA that PAF is most important arm and they need to strengthen it as it was first responder after 26 Feb events occurred. So we procure more AD units and BVRs etc
Hi,
Paf has been the most important arm of the defense forces and it is not going to change---.
What has happened with the Paf is that since the past---they have performed with LESS better than the enemy's MORE---and that as gone into their heads.
The problem right now and for years has been that they have confirmed the belief that that is the position they want to stay in---and that mindset and positioning is wrong---.
In their mind---they are defenders of the nation with less---.
What no one either told them or they never understood that was not their only job---.
They did not want to understand that with a timely purchase of more fighter aircraft---would have created a major paradigm shift in favor of pakistan & pakistan's power positioning---.
What that means in layman's term---they found a nugget of gold---it met "their needs"---they became satisfied---but they did not bother to look further for the "gold mine" that was right next to it which would have satisfied the needs of nation---.[/QUOTE]
1. No they have not been the most important arm of armed forces. Both in 1965 and 71, both fought their separate wars. Even in Kargil, Army went ahead with plans despite clear warning from PAF. Governments never took interest in PAF's requirements. Due to politicians' needs, army was and is preferred child among all armed forces. Why top positions in ISPR, CJCSC, SPD etc. are with army?
2. Future plans of PAF clearly negate this assertion that PAF deliberately want to stay there.
3. The only realistic way for turning their gold nugget into gold mine is to dive into the ocean of knowledge. Western powers provide hardware to 3rd world countries with certain strings attach. Even if we have gotten tech of F-20 in 80's or 50 more F-16s during Mush era, it would have not served us any better (Our adversary could have bought more Mirage 2000, MKIs, etc / US were to dump us after the demise of Soviet Union). PAF has learnt the most important lesson v hard way that in order to completely free from sanctions is to be as self-sufficient as possible. That's why Advanced Thunders and AZM is being pursued. Remember what EX-ACM PAF Sohail Aman said once, I am chief of 400 aircraft PAF, next chief will be chief of 500 aircraft PAF and next to him will lead PAF with 600 aircraft. It simply tells us one thing, PAF is trying to expand both horizontally (Tech Axis) and Vertically (Number Axis). And I am not saying that their planning is flawless. There are considerable holes. Like I wonder why we are not part of a strategic bomber program before going for a stealth project?
Now one must bear in mind, sometimes, it is governments who refuse to buy certain equipment required because of political capital and strings attach from supplier nation. In case of Pakistan, this has happened more than once. US supplied us F-16s for her own interests. They are willing to supply again but this time around conditions attached are suicidal for our strategic interest. So, Islamabad has to think. Weigh the pros and cons. JF-17 and Project AZM are not PAF's program. These are national program like our nuclear program perhaps more important than that!
