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Aviation History
1984
1984 - 0797.PDF
Hawker Sea Furys and Tempests formed the basis of the PAF's front line in 1947 Towards the mid-1950s Pakistan in its quest for security entered into two Western-sponsored pacts —CENTO and SE ATO. Membership of these pacts made the PAF eligible for American military aid, and the North American F-86 Sabre entered service and marked the second stage in PAF development. If modernisation is the right word, then the Service really became a modern, mission-orientated force with the intro duction of US equipment. It was not so much the equipment but the operational doctrine that came with it which mattered. It was this doctrine which later gave the PAF an edge over India, which had remained somewhat static with Second World War combat tactics. To train pilots for the F-86, the Cessna T-37 basic trainer and the Lockheed T- 33A advanced trainer were also bought. A major milestone was the induction of the Martin B-57 Canberra. Finally, in the early 1960s, the highly potent Lockheed F-104 Starfighter joined the inventory to mark the completion of the second-stage development of the PAF. A fairly advanced capability in early warning was also acquired with a mix of American and British-made ground radars between 1955-65. The PAF trained hard on the new equipment which had to come to it. Fuel and spare parts were in abun dance and the pilots flew extensively. Pitched against the 5:1 numerical superiority of the Indian Air Force in the 1965 conflict, the PAF dominated its adversary in air combat, although the war itself ended in stalemate. Both F-104s and F-86s were equipped with early-model Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and these weapons, although used little in prefer ence to guns, proved to be a crucial factor in the war. The world's press attributed the PAF's success to American equipment. This is wrong, however. The IAF was in fact better equipped, with MiG-21s, Hawker Hunters, Folland Gnats, and British-built Canberras as its principal aircraft. What really turned the tables in favour of the PAF was the superior training, tactics, and fighting spirit of its pilots. Unfortunately, the US Government imposed a complete and, to Pakistan, unjustified embargo on arms sales after the 1965 war, despite treaty obligations. The PAF, being purely American- equipped, was hard hit. Even spares supplies stopped and this left the Service almost grounded. The third stage of the PAF's devel opment started then, when it had to survey the world market for aircraft to supplement the fast dwindling fleet of obsolete F-86s. The American market was closed, as were most European countries. Pakistan had to make the most of what was available. Beating the embargo The PAF approached China and bought Shenyang-built F-6s (MiG-19s) which met the PAF's tactical requirements. First preference was for an agile aircraft with good acceleration for effective air defence. The F-6, with its powerful engines, had a good thrust-to-weight ratio, could climb fast and was an answer to the interception problem posed by high-speed intruders from airfields lying just across Pakistan's borders. Pakistan lacks geographical depth and attack aircraft can easily adopt hit and run tactics. To exploit the superior acceleration of the F-6, the PAF successfully incorpo rated modern technology by equipping it, through mainly indigenous means, with better radio, IFF, Sidewinder missiles, and Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seats. Next into service were the French Dass ault Mirage III and 5 fighter bombers. Today these represent the main weapons of the PAF. France, despite its equipment being very expensive, especially support items, has proved to be a reliable arms source. The French Government seldom links its arms business too strongly with its diplomacy, so no wonder most Third World air forces are Mirage operators. The PAF has also improved the Mirage for specialised roles. The modest on-board electronics have, wherever possible, been augmented for greater accuracy and survivability. The fourth stage in the progressive advancement of the PAF dates back to the efforts made in the mid-1970s to purchase US aircraft. These efforts were thwarted mainly due to opposition in the US Congress as the Carter administration insisted on linking the sales of arms with Pakistan's nuclear programme. But, since the invasion of Afghanistan, the United States Government has agreed to respect Pakistan's strictly non-aligned status and for its self-defence allow it to purchase a minimum of essential defensive weapons on cash terms. The PAF is consequently to receive a total of 40 General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcons. The induction of this weapon system will mean an increased operational capability for the PAF, and it will be able to match, to a certain extent, the threat posed by the Afghan Air Force. But the limited number of F-16s, essen tially air-defence/fighter-bomber aircraft, places limitations on the offensive capa bility of the PAF. It would be naive to suppose that 40 F-16s could neutralise the combined Soviet-Afghan threat. With its limited resources, the PAF has purchased the Chinese Nauchang A-5 ground support aircraft. The A-5 is not a special ised weapon system. It is essentially a modified MiG-19 with side intakes and, compared to the F-6 fighter version, greater endurance. It can be seen that the latest PAF modernisation is a modest beginning. The challenges are so immense that the likely roles and missions demand wider consideration. To Pakistan's north-west, the situation in Afghanistan has changed the military and political balance in Asia Minor. India has agreements with both the USA and the Soviet Union; the former is a treaty of The North American F-86 Sabre followed the Supermarine Attacker into PAF service FLIGHT International, 5 May 1984 1209
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