FOLDER - Military & Strategic Analysis of Pakistan (10/2002)

Society Military and Strategic Issues
1

[thumb=B]army.JPG[/thumb]

If we don’t come back…tell them we have sacrificed our today for their tomorrow…"

PAKISTAN ARMY

The High Command:

The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), formerly called the Commander in Chief (C in C), is challenged with the responsibility of commanding the Pakistan Army. In 1994 this post was held by General Abdul Waheed. Currently, the chief of army staff is General Pervez Musharraf. The COAS operates from army headquarters in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad. The four principal officers assisting him in his duties at the lieutenant general level include a Chief of General Staff (CGS), who supervises army intelligence and operations; the Master General of Ordinance (MGO); the Quartermaster General (QMG); the Adjutant General (AG); the Inspector General for Evaluation and Training (IGT&E); and the Military Secretary (MS). The headquarters function also includes the Chief of the Corps of Engineers, the Judge Advocate General, and the Comptroller of Civilian Personnel, all of whom report to the vice chief of the army staff.

Structure of the Military Units:

There are two main branches in which the army can be categorized. The arms category includes infantry, artillery, armor, engineers and communications, whereas the services category encompasses the ordinance corps, maintenance and repair corps, electrical and mechanical engineering corps, education corps, military police corps, and the remount, veterinary, and farm corps. A Corps usually consists of two or more Divisions. It is commanded by a lieutenant general. Each division, being commanded by a major general, usually holds three Brigades including infantry, artillery, engineers and communications units in addition to logistics (supply and service) support to sustain independant action. It, however, does not include any armoured units. Those are attached once the need arises. The most major of all ground force combat formations is the infantry division. Such a division would primarily hold three infantry brigades. A Brigade is under the command of a brigadier and comprises of three or more Regiments of different units depending on its functionality. An independant brigade would be one that primarily consists of an artillery unit, an infantry unit, an armour unit and logisitics to support its actions. Such a brigade is not part of any division and is under direct command of a corps. Each regiment is commanded by a colonel and has roughly 600 soldiers under his command. This number varies depending on the functionality of the regiment. A regiment comprises of four batteries each under the command of a major and comprising of individual subunits called companies.

Size, Organization and Equipment:

The army is organized into nine corps. All of it sums up to twenty Infantry & two Armoured Divisions. Each corp is commanded by a 3-star Lieutenant General sitting at Corps Headquarters. Their stations are:

[ul]

[li]I Corps (Mangla)
[/li][li]II Corps (Multan)
[/li][li]IV Corps (Lahore)
[/li][li]V Corps (Karachi)
[/li][li]X Corps (Rawalpindi)
[/li][li]XI Corps (Peshawar)
[/li][li]XII Corps (Quetta)
[/li][li]XXX Corps (Gujranwala)
[/li][li]XXXI Corps (Bahawalpur)
[/li]
[/ul]

There is also the Northern Area Command, headquartered at Gilgit, directly responsible to army general headquarters.

Army’s active strength is at 565,000 personnel with another 500,000 in the reserves. Reserve status lasts for eight years after leaving active service or until age forty-five for enlisted men and age fifty for officers. The statics regarding the arms, armament and organization of the units is as follows:

[list=1]

[li]Main Battle tanks: 2000
[/li]
[li]Artillary pieces: 1700
[/li]
[li]Infantry Divisions: 20
[/li]
[li]Armoured Divisions: 2
[/li]
[li]Mech. Infantry Div: 1
[/li]
[li]Artillery Division: 1
[/li]
[li]Independent Armoured Brigades: 6
[/li]
[li]Independent Infantry Brigades: 6
[/li]
[li]Artillery Brigades: 9
[/li]
[li]Engineer Brigades: 7
[/li]
[li]Armoured Recce Regiments: 1
[/li]
[li]Air Defence Brigades: 8
[/li]
[/list=1]

**Special Services Group: **

[list=1]

[li] Brigades: 1 (comprising of)
[/li]
[li] Battalions: 3
[/li]
[li]Independant Counter- Terrorism Company: 1
[/li]
[/list=1]

EQUIPMENT:

MAIN BATTTLE TANKS

[list=1]

[li]CHINESE: 200 T85II APs, 51 T-55s, 250 T-69s, 1200 T-59s, 100 T-60/63s , T-60/80 being produced at HMC Taxilla
[/li]
[li]AMERICAN: 450 M-47/48s (being withdrawn), Work continues on MBT-2000 Al-Khalid
[/li]
[li]ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIERS:
[/li]820 M113s, 120 BTR 70s. M113s manufactured at HMC Taxilla
ARTILLERY PIECES:

1,566 towed and 240 Self-propelled artillery pieces.

[li]AMERICAN: 105/150/255mm. Self Propelled and TOWED Howitzers.
[/li]
[li]CHINESE: 85mm/122mm. guns. Some Bofors.
[/li] Additional M-198 Howitzers being deliverd from the US
under the Brown Ammendment.

[/list=1]

**ARMY AVIATION **

20 AH-1 COBRA Gunships, Mi-8s, French Alloute IIIs,
PUMAs, Mi-17s, UH-1s, Bell-47, Cassena O-1Es.

**ARMY AIR DEFENCE **

2000 AA guns ZU-23/33 30, 36, 37mm., SAMs CROTALEs,
400 RBS-20, SAM-7, 350 Stingers and Redeyes, 500 Anza mk II.

SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILES

Work Stopped on indegenous HATF-I,II Reportedly CHINESE M-11s acquired clandestinely form China. Currently have 8 HATF missiles.

PAKISTANI OFFICER’S RANKS:

[list=1]

[li]Field Marshal (5-Star)
[/li]
[li]General (4-Star)
[/li]
[li]Lieutenant General (3-Star)
[/li]
[li]Major General (2-Star)
[/li]
[li]Brigadier (1-Star)
[/li]
[li]Colonel
[/li]
[li]Lieutenant Colonel
[/li]
[li]Major
[/li]
[li]Captain
[/li]
[li]Lieutenant
[/li]
[li]Second Lieutenant
[/li]
[/list=1]

The change in Afghanistan also helped in putting a large amount of reserves at the disposal of the Pakistan Army, a factor which has been significant in neutralising the otherwise Indian numerical superiority in ground forces. Pakistan, for instance, has 10 Divisions in reserves, including 8 infantry and 2 armoured divisions. These large reserves ensure that Pakistan today is better equiped to fight both offensive and defensive battles. Conversely, India has 18 divisions deployed on the borders with Pakistan, China and Bangladesh, while 16 are in reserve, out of which approximately 10 are deployed in counter insurgency operations in Kashmir, Punjab and Assam.

—continued…

2

Strategy and Logistics:

The second element which has been important for the Pakistan Army in recent years is the new doctrine of "offensive-defence" which was tested during the Pakistan Army's biggest-ever manoeuvres during late 1989, code-named "Exercise Zarb-e-Momin". Under this strategic concept, the Pakistan Army is viewed as a force capable of undertaking a strategic offensive on land, including the possiblity of taking the war into enemy territory, rather than waiting to be hit.

The Pakistan Army today is in better shape than before which is evident from the fact that it has 45 days of reserve ammunition and fuels in stocks as compared to 1965 when it only had 13 days of stocks.

Another element which has added to the Army's professional capability is the extreme stress on professional education, training and career planning. Priemier institutes like the Command and Staff College, Quetta, and the National Defence College are world renowned for their elaborate and contemporary curricula. About 200 officers from the Army are sent annually to foreign countries for training with 75% going to USA. Today, the Pakistan Army has more than 50 Ph.Ds.

Paramilitary Organizations:

Paramilitary organizations, which were mainly of symbolic importance, included the 185,000-member National Guard, comprising the Janbaz Force--locally recruited militia mainly charged with air defense--and two programs similar to the United States Reserve Officers Training Corps, the National Cadet Corps and the Women Guard. The Women Guard, unlike the National Cadet Corps, included individuals trained in nursing, welfare, and clerical work. There were also some women in the Janbaz Force, and a very small number of women were recruited into the regular service in limited numbers to perform medical and educational work.

Paramilitary internal security forces were organized on the provincial level but were subordinate to the Ministry of Interior and were commanded by seconded army generals. These forces were in effect an extension of the army for internal security duties. The Pakistan Rangers, headquartered in Lahore, dealt with unrest in Punjab, while the Mehran Force performed similar functions in Sindh. In 1994 their strengths were 25,000 and 24,000, respectively, divided into "wings" of approximately 800 men each. The Frontier Corps, with a strength of 65,000, was based in Peshawar and Quetta with responsibility for the North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan. The corps was responsible to both the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions and to army headquarters. The corps was divided into twenty-seven local units--fourteen in the North-West Frontier Province and thirteen in Balochistan--and included the Chitral Scouts, the Khyber Rifles, the Kurram Militia, the Tochi Scouts, the South Waziristan Scouts, the Zhob Militia, and the Gilgit Scouts. There was also a Coast Guard, subordinate to the Ministry of Interior and staffed by army personnel.

Peace-time Activities:

In times of natural disaster, such as the great floods of 1992, army engineers, medical and logistics personnel, and the armed forces played a major role in bringing relief and supplies. The army also engaged in extensive economic activities. Most of these enterprises, such as stud and dairy farms, were for the army's own use, but others performed functions beneficial to the local civilian economy. Army factories produced such goods as sugar, fertilizer, and brass castings and sold them to civilian consumers.

Several army organizations performed functions that were important to the civilian sector across the country. For example, the National Logistics Cell was responsible for trucking food and other goods across the country; the Frontier Works Organization built the Karakoram Highway to China; and the Special Communication Organization maintained communications networks in remote parts of Pakistan.

3

[thumb=A]airforce.JPG[/thumb]

PAKISTAN AIR FORCE

*"Nahin tera nasheman qasr-e-sultanee kay gumbad par

Tu shaheen hai basayra kar paharon kee chattanon main"*

The Structure and Organization:

Currently, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has around 65,000 active and 8,000 reserve personnel. Headquartered in Rawalpindi and under the command of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Abbas Khatak, it comprises of directorates for operations, maintenance, administration, and electronics. There are three air defense districts–north, central, and south and major bases at Sargodha, Malir, Masroor, Gilgit, Mauripur, Lahore, Mianwali, Peshawar, Quetta and Risalpur. It is challanged by the responsibility of providing support to ground, naval and paramilitary security forces and of defending the country against air attacks. Secondary missions include the provisions of air transport to groud troops when needed, the coordination of civil and military aviation activities, and the conduct of technical training for civil aviation specialists.

The air force is organized into eighteen squadrons, with a total of 430 combat aircraft. The mainstay of the air force is the F-16 fighter. Of the 40 aircraft originally acquired, 34 are in service, divided among 3 squadrons. Pakistan has an additional 71 F-16s on order, but delivery has been suspended since 1990 by the United States. Other interceptors include 8 Interceptor squadrons of 160 F-7Ps, 7 Fighter/Ground Attack squadrons of 70 F-6s, 60Q/A5s, 18 Mirage IIIs and 58 Mirage Vs and 1 Recce squadron of 12 Mirage IIPRs, thus constituting a total of 19 squadrons. For transport purposes PAF has 2 squadrons of 16 C-130 Hercules’, 1 Lockheed L-100, 1 F-27 and 1 FALCON2+ aircraft for VIP duties. Training aircrafts include 4 squadrons of 80 MFI-17Bs, 25 FT-5s, T-37s, 11 F-16Bs, 15 FT-7Ps, 2 Mirage IIDPs, and 20+ K-8s. Pakistan also has ALOUETTE and PUMA helicopters. Air-to-air missiles include the Exocet, Sparrow, Sidewinder, and Magic.

The Officer Ranks in the order of hierarchy are Marshal of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal, Air Marshal, Air Vice Marshal, Air Commodore, Group Captain, Wing Commander, Squadron Leader, Fight Lieutenant, Flying Officer and Pilot Officer.

Air Force also operates Air Force College at Risalpur as well as at Peshawar, Air Force Staff College at Karachi and the Air Force College of Aeronautical Engineering at Karachi for academic training.

History of the Pakistan Air Force:

When Pakistan Air Force was established on August 15, 1947, it had little to fly on and few to fly that little. And even fewer places to fly from. The PAF came into being with only thirty-two Dakotas, thirty-five Tempests, twenty-nine Harvards, sixteen Tiger Moths, three Auster Vs, and even Auster VIs most of which never arrived. Today, the story is much different. Pakistan acquired modern jet aircrafts in 1956, most of them from the United States and quite a few from Great Britian, France and PRC. It has added since then Mirages and F-16s to its fleet and stands a far stronger adversary than before.

The Air Force was initially founded by 2,332 members - 200 officers and 2,112 airmen, under the command of First Air Commander, Air Vice Marshal Allan Perry-Keene. But only a few were trained pilots and even fewer ground crews. The headquarter then was at Peshawar with other bases at Risalpur, Chaklala (Rawalpindi) and Lahore. On January 1, 1948 with Wing Commander Nur Khan as Station Commander, Mauripur, which is now Masroor, became a PAF base for the Tiger Moths.

December 1947, besieged and isolated in their mountain strongholds, wintery wastes, high passes and valleys, the 250,000 people and soldiers in Gilgit Agency and Azad Kashmir were desperate for food and supplies.

All PAF could muster in serviceable condition were two war-weary Dakotas at Mauripur in Karachi. One flew at once to Risalpur, where it began operations under Wing Commander M.Asghar Khan, first commandant of the RPAF College. The old workhorse had spent its power in the war. Its wheezing engines had to struggle to reach 10,000 feet and then struggle some more to maintain the altitude. It was not the plane to fly among the highest mountains in the world where scores of peaks, many still unsurveyed and unnamed, touch more than 20,000 feet. But there was no choice.

With its ceiling limit, the only route the Dakota could follow to Chilas, Bunji, Gilgit and Skardu - the main supply points - was the course of the narrow Indus Valley flanked on either side by mountains rising from 7,000 feet to the lofty heights of Nanga Parbat’s 26,660 feet. Few planes had ever flown this route before.

Weather was unpredictable and the valleys narrow and, by any aviation standards, unnavigable. There were no weather forecasts and the only training captains and crews had were some dummy drops at Risalpur, which in no way resembled the narrow dropping zones in the valleys. These were so narrow that there was hardly room for the Dakota to turn around, and no available ground for an emergency landing. No wonder those who undertook this exercise soon began to call the Indus ‘The Valley of No Return’.

For the first run early in December, the PAF deployed both its serviceable Dakotas, laden with rice, wheat and sugar in double gunny bags of thirty-six kilos each.

The PAF crews began a daily dawn-to-dusk shuttle, the old Dakotas zig-zagging their way through the valleys and hills in rain, storm cloud, fog and blinding sunshine, which continued throughout the winter, not ending until 15 April 1948. Just two days after, Quaid-i-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah visited the flying training school at their Risalpur base, and said: “There is no doubt that any country without a strong Air Force is at the mercy of any aggressor. Pakistan must build her Air Force as quickly as possible. It must be an efficient Air Force second to none”. Supply runs began again in October 1948 and two more Dakotas had been brought into service.

Within the span of a year this young air force had flown on little more than an often turbulent wing and a prayer and yet completed 437 mercy drops, delivering more than 500 tons of supplies and foods.

Despite the lack of funds and market-places, Pakistan Air Force entered the jet age in August 1951 with the arrival of three first-generation jet fighters - British built Attackers. They formed the nucleus of the new Number 11 Squadron. Pakistan began to court the Americans, who agreed in principle to supply F-94Cs, F-86 Sabres and F-84s, the USAF’s standard fighter-bomber. Finally, PAF opted for the Sabres, and also looked at the USAF’s B-50 and the USN’s Neptune as a bomber, but first it wanted T-33 jet trainers - the first batch of which arrived in 1955.

One year later the first Sabres arrived, in 1956, the PAF’s Falcon aerobatics team was assigned sixteen of the powerful new jets - the perfect number to form a diamond shape - and after only three months practice, on 2 February 1958, created a new world record for the largest number of planes to make a formation loop, above Masroor (Mauripur) Air Base, Karachi, and an enthralled crowd of 30,000 spectators, including King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan.

Fatefully, during the ten years from 1955 to 1965, the Air Force armed its squadrons with the most modern jet fighters and bombers - battle-tested supersonic Sabres and F-104 Starfighters for its fighter aces, B-57s for its bomber pilots and the ubiquitous C-130 for its transport wing - and reached new heights of operational efficiency and skills. Its pilots so prepared, its squadrons so armed, that PAF was ready for come what may - and they showed it all to the IAF during the war of 1965.

In 1965 there can be no argument that the PAF pilots were much superior horsemen in every way to those of the Indian Air Force. By 23 September when the war ended, India had lost 110 aircrafts and damaged nineteen, not including those destroyed on the ground at night - against 16 PAF planes. Of the 110, thirty-five were brought down by the Army ground fire. PAF could also claim the destruction of 149 tanks, more than 600 heavy vehicles including troop carriers, and sixty artillery guns. To corroborate its claims, after the cease-fire the PAF invited newsmen to visit bases where their squadrons were lined up, ready to be counted. Pakistan’s Air Marshal Nur Khan even invited his Indian counterpart, Air Marshal Arjun Singh, to come along and see for himself. The invitation was not accepted.

[thumb=B]nmin.JPG[/thumb]

Rashid Minhas Shaheed.

**The sense of commitment and self-sacrifice which exemplifies the PAF was perhaps the best demonstrated a few short months before the 1971 conflict escalated into a full-scale war by a twenty-year old Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas.

Still under training, Minhas was taxiing for take-off on a routine flight on 20 August 1971 when a revolting Bengali Instructor Pilot forced his way into the rear cockpit, seized control of the aircraft and took off.

Minhas, who realized that the absconding pilot was heading towards India, tried to regain control, but unable to do so. Only sixty kilometres from Indian territory, he made yet another effort to steer the aircraft back to the base. Then knowing that it meant certain death, he deliberately forced the aircraft to crash thirty-two miles short of the border. For this supreme sacrifice Pilot Officer Minhas was awarded Nishan-e-Haider, the youngest ever recipient of this, the highest award for valour which Pakistan can bestow.**

–CONTINUED…

4

In December 1981, the government of Pakistan signed a letter of agreement for the purchase of 40 F-16A/B fighters for the Pakistan Air Force. The first aircraft were accepted at Fort Worth in October of 1982. Transition training for Pakistani aircrews and ground personnel was carried out by the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB in Utah. The first two F-16As and four F-16Bs arrived in Pakistan in January of 1983.

The Pakistani F-16A/Bs were all from Block 15, the final version of the F-16A/B production run. They are powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-P W-200 turbofan. The first unit to equip with the F-16 was No. 11 Squadron based at Sargodha. All 40 of the Fighting Falcons had entered PAF service by mid-1986. This made it possible to establish two more squadrons, No.9 at Sargodha and No. 14 at Kamra. No 11 Squadron operates as the OCU.

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 in support of the pro-Soviet government in Kabul which was being hard-pressed by Mujahideen rebel forces marked the start of a decade-long occupation. Mujahideen rebels continued to harass the occupying Soviet military force as well as the forces of the Afghan regime that it was supporting. The war soon spilled over into neighboring Pakistan, with a horde of refugees fleeing to camps across the border in an attempt to escape the conflict. In addition, many of the rebels used Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to carry out forays into Afghanistan, and a steady flow of US-supplied arms were carried into Afghanistan from staging areas in Pakistan near the border. This inevitably resulted in border violations by Soviet and Afghan aircraft attempting to interdict these operations. Between May 1986 and November of 1988, PAF F-16s had shot down at least eight intruders from Afghanistan. The first three of these (one Su-22, one probable Su-22, and one An-26) were shot down by two pilots from No. 9 Squadron. Pilots of No. 14 Squadron destroyed the remaining five intruders (two Su-22s, two MiG-23s, and one Su-25). Most of these kills were by the AIM-9 Sidewinder, but at least one (an Su-22) was destroyed by cannon fire. Flight Lieutenant Khalid Mehmood is credited with three of these kills. At least one F-16 was lost in these battles, this one in an encounter between two F-16s and six Afghan Air Force aircraft on April 29, 1987. However, the lost F-16 appears to have been an "own goal", having been hit by a Sidewinder fired by the other F-16. The unfortunate F-16 pilot ejected safely.

Pakistani F-16s typically carry two all-aspect AIM-9Ls on the wing tip rails along with a pair of AIM-9Ps on the outermost underwing racks. Pakistani F-16s have an important strike role, being fitted with the French-built Thompson-CSF ATLIS laser designation pod and the capability to deliver Paveway laser-guided bombs. The ATLIS was first fitted to Pakistani F-16s in January of 1986. The F-16 became the first non-European aircraft to be qualified for the ATLIS pod.

Procedures and Information:

Though the PAF is split into four divisions, the Chief of Air Staff is inevitably a fighter pilot. Every aspect of the PAF's work is devoted to keeping the planes in the air. The four divisions are operations, maintenance, administration, and electronics.

With a 1987 strength of just under 40,000 - 3,500 officers, more than 13,000 JCOs and senior NCOs and 23,000 airmen - the PAF remained Pakistan's first and most vital defence arm. Its twenty wings, including eight flying wings made up of twenty squardons, contained a total of fifty squardons.

**In 1987 PAF maintained a total of 539 planes - everything from B-57 bombers and F-16 supersonic interceptor and attack jet fighters to the smaller training jets and liaison planes.

They operated from eighteen bases situated along the length and breadth of the country from south to north, east to west. On either side - in Afghan and India - this small but dedicated force is vastly outnumbered. Yet the PAf maintains constant vigilance of Pakistan's air space day and night. PAF pilots, the kings of the force, are the antithesis of the archetypal Hollywood image of an air ace: soft spoken, gracious, courteous.**

The PAF is an autocracy of senior officers run like a democracy. It's a matter of pride that its success devolves on teamwork and planning - each man respected for his worth and what he can contribute. During mission briefings even the most junior pilot is consulted. All are held as equal with acknowledged and respected leaders.

No wonder the competition for places in this elite air force is intense. PAF takes its pick of the finest minds and fittest bodies in the land. Many want to join, few are chosen. Cadets are selected through a Recruitment Directorate composed of three, including a psychologist and a specialist. The highest gradings are demanded for pilot material. After a series of gruelling written and physical examinations, including study of the candidate's behaviourial tendencis, the successful ones go before a commission board for short listing and those chosen attended a final selection panel at Air Headquarters. These follows five-and-a-half years training at the PAF Academy at Risalpur.

For pilot cadets the attrition rate is high - at last one third to forty per cent never fly. But they have options to choose other branches of the Air Force. It's only very near the end of all this that the cadet first takes to the air in a Pakistani-built Mushsaq single-engine trainer. For at least ninety-nine per cent it's their very first experience of flying. Yet so thorough is their training and indoctrination that for "most of us it's just like getting on a bicycle". They solo after ten hours of instruction and then progress to the PAF's jet trainers before posting to Mianwali for advanced tactical training on the FT-5s. It's this that they finally become rookie fighter pilots. Of the original entry of 100 cadets perhaps only fifteen survive.

After qualifying they are posted to the PAF's A-5 and F-6 squadrons - a rare few being chosen for conversion to the more modern Mirage fighter bombers and an even rarer elite going forward for F-16 conversion. But their is no conceit among those so chosen. Their diffidence and lack of arrogance is counterpoint to their steely eyes and determination.

Three or four years later they become Flight Lieutenants and a few may opt to go to Risalpur as flying instructors. Section leaders are chosen for training at the Combat Commanders School, Sargodha, where they learn the fineness of air combat during a five month course. When they graduate, the Combat Commanders go back to their squadrons to pass on their new-found skills to their colleagues. Those that do really well are posted to the school for two years as instructors.

The comraderie which exists between pilot and ground crew is indeed remarkable and inspiring - and the same comradeship extends throughout the PAF, which is a highly-sophisticated fighting machine.

Pakistan has discovered new depths of human skills and initiative, in the search for self-sufficiency and independence in maintaining its Armed Forces and in doing so has contributed not only to defence, but to the building of a strong industrial and economic base.

The PAF is determined to maintain its status as the air force which, pilot for pilot, has the most experienced and therefore best and most skillful in the world. These pilots, technicians and general servicemen represent the highest aviation and avionics skills in the world: by its record and its performance, in both peacetime and in war, the PAF has earned either admiration or acknowledgement from air force men around the world.

In that sense, the first forty years of the Pakistan Armed Forces, which have faced and overcome incredible military and civic challenges, stands as one of the most remarkable stories in the long, long history of men and war.

The 71 F-16s that Pakistan has not gotten yet:

In December of 1988, Pakistan ordered 11 additional F-16A/B Block 15 OCU (Operational Capability Upgrade) aircraft, and in September of 1989, plans were announced for Pakistan to acquire 60 more F-16A/Bs. However, Pakistan has gotten involved in a controversy with the United States over its suspected nuclear weapons capability. Intelligence information reaching US authorities indicated that Pakistan was actively working on a nuclear bomb, had received a design for a bomb from China, had tested a nuclear trigger, and was actively producing weapons-grade uranium. The F-16As of Nos 9 and 11 Squadrons at Sargodha have allegedly been modified with the means of carrying and delivering a Pakistani nuclear weapon. In addition, Pakistan has steadfastly refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. As a result, in accordance to the Pressler amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act, which forbids military aid to any nation possessing a "nuclear explosive device", the United States government announced on October 6, 1990 that it had embargoed further arms deliveries to Pakistan. A total of 71 F-16s on order were affected by the embargo. By March of 1994, 22 of these planes had been placed in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, with a further six to be stored by the end of 1994. A stop-work order affects the remaining 43 planes on the contract.

...CONTINUED....

5

Pakistan has already paid $685 million on the contract, and insists on either having the planes it ordered delivered or getting its money back. A compromise was offered in March of 1995 allowing the delivery of some of the embargoed planes. Under the compromise, the 28 F-16s already built would be allowed to be delivered to Pakistan, plus a further ten to equal the value of the money already paid.

Pakistani F-16s were assigned USAF serial numbers for record-keeping purposes. PAF F-16s carry a three-digit PAF serial number on their noses, the F-16As being assigned numbers in sequence beginning with 701, and the F-16 Bs being assigned numbers beginning with 601. These numbers are prefixed by two digits on the tail, these prefixes indicating the year of service entry.

6

[thumb=A]navy.JPG[/thumb]

*"Dasht to dasht dariya bhee na chhoray hum nay

Behr-e-zulmaat main dora diay ghoray hum nay"*

PAKISTAN NAVY

The High Command:

The Pakistan Navy is under command of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). He exercises his authority through the following four commands: COMPAK (Commander Pakistan Fleet) which is obviously the commander of the Pakistani Fleet itself; COMLOG (Commander Logistics) responsible for the logistics of the Navy; COMNOR (Commander North) commanding the naval installations in the North of Pakistan; and COMKAR (Commander Karachi) commanding the naval headquarters and the only major base at Karachi. There were long-range plans to build a new naval base at Ormara, 240 kilometers west of Karachi, and to improve harbors at Gwadar and Pasni to help alleviate overdependence on Karachi.

The Structure and Organization:

The navy’s principal combatants are six French submarines equipped with United States Harpoon missiles. Negotitations to obtain three more AGOSTA class submarines with AIPS (Air Independant Propulsion System) are underway. It may also obtain, under the Brown Law, additional Harpoon missiles and three P-3C Orion long range reconnaisance maritime patrol aircrafts for which Pakistan has already paid. However, the shipment has been suspended since 1990 due to the Pressler Ammendment.

Currently Pakistan navy’s strength stands at 24,000 active and about 5,000 reserve personnel. The force also includes a Naval Air Arm and the approximately 2,000-member paramilitary Maritime Security Agency, charged primarily with protecting Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone. In 1991 a naval special warfare marine commando unit, with a strength of between 150 and 200 men, was established. Its functions, in addition to hull inspection and special operations, included operating three midget submarines.

Apart from this the navy has 17 Destroyers and Frigates including the type-21 frigates purchased from the Royal Navy as replacements for the 8 leased american frigates. It has 9 Corvettes and Missile boats, 3 Minesweepers (2 more on order), 5 maritime partol aircrafts and 2 fleet tankers.

Does Pakistan Have a Capable Navy?

Even though it may seem like the immediate future of the Pakistan Navy is threatened by a reduction in equipment due to the Pressler Ammendment imposed in 1990 by the United States, its high professional standards and qualitative edge still make it a much more potent threat to the Indian Navy than is usually given credit for.

Due to the Pressler Ammendment Pakistan had to return four Brooke (Badr)-class and four Garcia (Saif)-class frigates to the United States at the end of their five-year lease. In addition, one British-made destroyer, the PNS Babur, was retired in 1994. At the same time, all three United States destroyers became fully operational, and an additional six Amazon-class frigates purchased from Britain were delivered in late 1994. They are quite capable as is evident from their specs. They have a displacement of 3,800 tons and a length of 130m. Their maximum speed is 30.5 knots, hold a crew of 250 and can be retrofitted with EXOCET or Harpoon missiles. The Indian Navy, on the other hand, has mostly old Russian WWII vintage frigates.

The Pakistan Navy currently has 2 AGOSTA Class and 4 older DAPHNE Class submarines. The AGOSTA class boats are newer, quieter and generally pack a greater punch than the 4 older DAPHNE class. Interestingly, the DAPHNEs are still quieter than most of the INDIAN subs — old Russian KILOs and FOXTROT class boats.

All of our submarines (and some frigates) are fitted with the proven HARPOON (RGM-84) anti-ship missile. It has an effective range of about 100 KM. One missile can cripple a frigate and two can DISABLE the small Indian Carriers. It is a VERY SMART weapon, with on-board computers guiding it towards the target. As compared to the Russian missiles, it is very difficult to ‘fool’ it by using electronic countermeasures.

The major target of our Harpoon-armed boats shoud be the Indian Navy’s two aircraft carriers. Early in the battle, this devastating move would break the backbone of their navy. After sinking them, our subs should hunt down their Indian counterparts. Which should not be too difficult, given the noisy SOUND SIGNATURE of the Russian made boats and our SONAR’s ( SOund NAvigation and Ranging) qualitative edge.

Remember that in 1965, Pakistan had 1 submarine, PNS Ghazi, while India had none. That boat instilled such a fear in the heart of the IN that it stayed in port throughout the War.

Currently, Pakistan has 5 Seakings armed with depth charges and sonobouys + special F-27 Fokkers. We had the excellent P-3 ORIONS on order from America and they were due to leave for Pakistan just three days before the Pressler Amendment was enacted and aid to Pakistan stopped. Armed with Harpoons, they would have given the PN a considerable qualitative gain. The last Indian Naval Chief, Admiral L. RAMDAS, is rumoured to have thanked his angels when he got the news that we aren’t getting the P-3s.

We also have a squadron of MIRAGE IIIs, armed with EXOCET anti-ship missiles dedicated to Naval strikes.

7

Pakistan Ready To Build Submarines

[thumb=B]26p26.JPG[/thumb]

Pakistan’s second Agosta attack submarine is ready for sea trials, boosting the country’s ambitions to become a regional supplier of the French designed vessel.

The Agosta 90-B submarine was built in Pakistan with help from French state-owned ship-building firm Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN).

The project was completed despite a suicide bomb attack with killed 11 of the project’s French engineers in front of their Karachi hotel in May.

Pakistan plans to build a third Agosta-90B independently at the Karachi Dockyards and is reportedly in “serious negotiations” to supply other Asian and Gulf navies.

**Arms Industry Growth **

Pakistan has been building-up its arms industry since US sanctions against it for nuclear tests in 1998 were lifted in earlier this year.

It completed its first major military export deal since 11 September earlier this month when the Gulf state of Oman took delivery of five Super Mushshak training aircraft.

The deal had to be approved by the US government because the plane contains US parts.

Pakistan has previously exported arms to Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

**Naval Power **

The Agosta submarine was originally due to be launched in 2001 and commissioned by the Pakistan Navy in February 2002.

It will now be launched near the port city of Karachi on 24 August, the English language Pakistan Observers newspaper reported.

The first Agosta was built in France, the final assembly of the second was completed in Pakistan and the third to be completely built in Pakistan.

The Agosta 90-B can stay at sea longer than Pakistan’s other submarines and can be converted to nuclear power, the newspaper reported, quoting a senior navy official.

The vessel is equipped with the French-made Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System, four bow torpedo tubes, and recently successfully fired a French-made Exocet SM39 missile, he added.

In May, French naval chief Jean Louis Battet met India’s defence minister to reportedly hold talks for the sale of six Scorpene submarines also made by DCN.

8

*Soldiers on parade
Courtesy Embassy of Pakistan, Washington *

THE ARMED SERVICES: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The Colonial Background

At its creation in 1947, Pakistan looked back on two traditions while seeking to reject a third. One was the more than 100 years of British colonial rule that radically reshaped the superstructure of the subcontinent and was the door to modernity. The other inheritance, the Muslim conquest and dominance from the thirteenth century to the nineteenth century, provided the Islamic factor that led to the partition of India and shaped modern-day Pakistan. The Muslim conquest also offered a useful mythology of exaggerated Islamic military prowess and dominance. The tradition that the new nation rejected and sought to leave behind was that of largely Hindu India. Indeed, differentiation from that heritage was the raison d’être of Pakistan, yet it remains important, for much of Pakistan’s cultural heritage is shared with India. India also remains the primary preoccupation of Pakistan’s foreign policy and security concerns.

The country’s British heritage has played the greatest role in shaping the often amorphous military tradition of the Muslim period into streamlined modern forces. Beginning in the earliest days of the East India Company (chartered in 1600), native guards were hired by the British to protect trading posts. As time went by, these troops were given additional training and were organized under British officers into the armies of the company’s presidencies at Calcutta (Fort William), Madras (Fort St. George), and Bombay. In 1748 the presidency armies were brought under the command of Major Stringer Lawrence, who subsequently became known as the father of the British Indian Army. A series of military reforms, first undertaken by Robert Clive in the mideighteenth century, continued through the first half of the nineteenth century as the British Parliament asserted increasing control over the East India Company and its military arm. Part of the legacy that shaped the British Indian Army was the growing understanding that civil and military spheres of activity were distinct and that each must respect the other but that ultimate control rested with the civilian power, whether in later times the governor general or the local district magistrate. The role of the military was to give **“aid-to-the-civil power.” **

The critical event in the evolution of the British Indian Army was the uprising of 1857-58–known as the Indian Mutiny or Sepoy Rebellion by British historians and sometimes as the First War of Independence by later Indian nationalists–when troops in north-central India, Muslim and Hindu alike, rose up against the British **(see The Seeds of Muslim Nationalism , ch. 1).](http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+pk0020))**Some bonds of loyalty held, but many Indian troops slaughtered both their British leaders and hapless civilians. With the help of Indian troops who did not join the rebellion–especially Sikhs and Muslims from the Punjab–the mutineers were put down with a violence that matched the atrocities that they had committed.

The bond between Indian and Briton had been broken, and a rethinking of British military policy in India was set in motion. East India Company rule was abolished, and direct British rule-- the British Raj–was instituted in 1858. Emphasis was put on recruiting in areas where disaffection was least and where the British discerned the existence of “martial races” (ethnic groups) noted for their military tradition, lack of political sophistication, and demonstrated loyalty. By these criteria, the most fertile area for recruitment was in the Punjab region of northwestern India. The Punjabization of the British Indian Army and the assumptions that underlay it would weigh heavily on both the international and the domestic politics of Pakistan once it was created as an independent entity.

The Pakistan Army structure of the early 1990s in many ways bore a close resemblance to the British Indian Army structure at the end of the nineteenth century. During that period, recruitment into individual, homogeneous regiments depended on class and caste, rather than on territory. Over time, these regiments became sources of immense pride to the men who served in them and to the ethnic group from which they were frequently recruited. Service in a specific regiment passed from father to son; the eventual shift from British to Pakistani rule went with hardly a ripple in the structure except for the change in nationality of the senior officer corps.

The British experimented with various forms of recruitment and of elevation to officer rank. During the period between the two world wars (1919-39), the British trained Indian officers to command at least Indian troops, and training establishments were set up to produce an indigenous officer corps. A small number of officer candidates were sent to Britain to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst; after 1932 the majority of candidates were trained at the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun.

A rank that predated that of the native officer was the viceroy’s commissioned officer–an Indian who had risen from the ranks and performed officer functions (except for commanding officer), especially at the company level. The viceroy’s commissioned officer came from the same social background as did the troops in his unit and performed a dual function: for the troops, he was a role model and figure of respect to whom they could turn for advice; he was also an invaluable intermediary between the troops and the British officer who commanded them.

The British Indian Army came under immense stress during both world wars, when it was rapidly expanded and deployed abroad to wherever the British Empire appeared threatened. During World War I, nearly 750,000 Indian troops were recruited for service; some 36,000 were killed, and twice as many were wounded. The troops generally acquitted themselves well, and their contribution was used as an arguing point by Indian nationalist politicians who sought greater autonomy for their country.

The army encountered a different kind of stress during the interwar period and beyond, when it was called on to suppress the growing wave of nationalist resistance. This use of Indian personnel alienated the nationalist leaders, especially those of the Indian National Congress, who would become the leaders of India in 1947. The problem was much less serious in what was to become Pakistan. Indeed, during the “Quit India” movement during World War II, when the British sought to crush Congress with special vigor because of its resistance to the war, the All-India Muslim League and the army supported the British cause (see Toward Partition , ch. 1).](http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+pk0023))

During World War II, the British Indian Army (together with the small Royal Indian Navy and Royal Indian Air Force) grew to meet imperial requirements, expanding from essentially a constabulary force of 175,000 to a mass army of more than 2 million. This growth meant appointing many Indians as officers, who received only short training courses, and general recruitment in areas of the country where “martial” spirit had not been discerned before. Once again, Indian troops performed loyally and effectively, even while the country was in political turmoil.

Data as of April 1994

9

I think it was posted here before.

**Above and Beyond **

Story and Photos by Capt. John Clearwater

FIVE 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, soldiers recently trekked up, over and around three of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges, becoming the first Americans to attend and complete the Pakistan army’s High Altitude Mountain School.

The soldiers, from Fort Campbell, Ky., trained for two months in rugged, cloud-covered terrain with lung-busting mountains and narrow passes. The school, in northern Pakistan, is considered one of the world’s premier climbing institutes. It is located near the junction of the Himalaya, Karakoram and the Hindu Kush mountain ranges.

Pakistanis have developed a reputation as masters of high-altitude warfare, their experience gained from many years of border clashes with India on the Siachin Glacier. Known as the world’s highest battlefield, the base camps used by the two armies are well above 19,000 feet. For this reason, 80 percent of the casualties are from either the extreme cold or high-altitude sickness.

To prepare for the training, the special forces soldiers spent the first few weeks in Pakistan running everywhere. And when they weren’t running, they were climbing

“Fortunately, our training program prior to Pakistan had us in the kind of condition in which we could not only keep up with them, but excel,” said SFC Patrick O’Kelley.

Prior conditioning also helped the U.S. soldiers gain the respect of their Pakistani instructors and peers.

“At first, the only ones who would talk to us were the instructors. You really have to work hard to earn respect there,” said O’Kelley. “The instructors don’t respect the fact that you’re a guest. They only respect you if you can perform. If you’re not in shape, they will torment and dog you to no end. Rank doesn’t matter.”

SFC Dave Miles, another U.S. participant, went a long way toward helping gain that respect by finishing second in an eight-kilometer, cross-country run.

The run consisted of four checkpoints, each at the top of a different mountain. Participants were allowed 70 minutes to reach the checkpoints. There are no trails between the points so runners got to each point any way they could.

“The finish line is on the other side of the town of Kakul. There’s no getting around the town, so you literally have to go over it,” said SFC Charles McPherson. “You’re running across village roofs, leaping fences, running through yards. You’re scrambling your way through this centuries-old town, soaked with sweat, gasping for air. The wonderful thing is that the villagers all turn out to cheer you on. Little kids point the way to the finish line.”

Miles was clocked in one second behind the winner, at just over 56 minutes, and only four minutes behind the school record for the mountain-to-mountain run. “Once we demonstrated that our guys were always among the top three physically, we began to earn their respect and build rapport,” he said.

The soldiers confronted other difficulties during the course. Training 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., six days a week, and living only on Pakistani rations, the constant physical exertion began taking a toll – the soldiers lost an average of 20 to 25 pounds.

“One of the problems of working above 16,000 feet is that at those altitudes, while you’re always physically exhausted, you’re just not hungry,” said McPherson. “You know you should be hungry, and you know you should eat. But then two days go by and you realize you haven’t eaten anything. You try to force down your rations, but nothing tastes good. You only get extremely nauseated. On the other hand, when you come back down, all your body wants to do is eat and sleep.”

The series of mountain climbs throughout their training constantly challenged the soldiers. The training culminated in a 28-hour bus ride to the Khunjerab Pass on the China-Pakistan border, where the soldiers made a successful climb to the snow-covered summit of Mount Khushik.

The 20,190-foot ascent followed a highly dangerous route along a knife-edge cornice, the upper reaches of which traced the edge of a 4,000-foot drop. Sgt. Ian Gerdes said the challenges and risks involved were worth the exhilaration he felt upon reaching the summit, with its unmatched view.

The climb gave the soldiers another unique opportunity. Being so close to the Chinese border, they could walk to “Chinese Checkpoint One,” where they met of group of Chinese border guards.

“None of them had ever met an American before, and besides being a little surprised, they were very friendly,” said Miles. Knowing only a few words of English, the border guards asked if the Americans had any coins for souvenirs. No one did, so O’Kelley walked back the next day to take them a couple of American dimes.

10

Here’s a good article about Pakistan Forces serving in a Civil War country, **Sierra Leone **

Pakistan’s Tower of Peace in Sierra Leone

[thumb=B]30p30.JPG[/thumb]

Kailahun Sierra Laone, June 30 (PNS) : To mark their love and sincerity with the brotherly people of Sierra Leone the troops of PAK BATT 2 (31 Baloch Regiment), serving under aegis of UNAMSIL, after establishing peace in their area of responsibility now have constructed the Tower of Peace in the town of Kailahun.

A colourful ceremony was held on this occasion to formally inaugurate the Tower constructed by Pakistani troops to mark their long lasting love and confidence for the people of Kailahun. Major General Syed Ather Ali, Chief Military Oberver and the Senior Pakistan Army Officer, was the chief guest on this historical occasion which would always be remembered by both the Pakistan Army troops deputed on peacekeeping duties in Sierra Leone and the people of Kailahun district.

Major General Syed Ather Ali , Chief Military Observer speaking on this occasion said that though the road to peace in Sierra Leone was manifested with ups and downs but the end result had been very fruitful and rewarding for the people of Sierra Leone . He said that UNAMSIL troops particularly the Pakistanis who were deployed in the most sensitive area and in the most crucial phase of the UNAMSIL operations deserved special appreciation for their untiring efforts towards restoration of peace in Sierra Leone. Their unbiased approach and humanistic mind have made them the most popular contingent in the country. He said it was not easy to carry out peace keeping operation in the most troubled part of the country which was once hub of the RUF. But the professional acumen of the Pakistani soldiers and their humanistic approach and above all the cooperation of the locals made it possible to achieve a target which looked impossible a year ago. For all this I pay my sincere tribute to the Pakistani troops who have kept the flag of UN as well as of their country high in all stages of the peacekeeping operation.

Representative of Loawa Chiefdom Mr Mori More Joi, speaking on behalf of paramount chief said that no words were enough to pay tribute to the Pakistani troops for the work done by them during last one year. He said that the People of Kailahun were extremely grateful to Pakistan contingent for their dedicated and unbiased efforts which they had been rendering to restore peace in the area as well as humanitarian assistance provided by them to the needy people.

Later, Major General Syed Ather Ali, amid jubiliation and dances by Pakistani troops and locals ,walked from venue where he addressed the august gathering and unveiled the plaque of the Tower of Peace .

**It is recalled that the 33 feet high Tower of Peace is a beautiful structure which stands elegant in the centre of the town to remind the Pak- Sierra Friendship. The tower raised on a round platform has been constructed by troops of PAK BATT2 in one month. The Tower of Peace has significant meaning not only for the people of Kailahun but also for the generations to come. **

Brigh Ahmed Shujaa Pasha, Commander Pakistan Contingent and all Commanding Officers of various out fits, Representatives of international NGOs in Kailahun, Military Observers, senior officers of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Chief of Police Kailahun District, notables of the area, Chiefdom authorities, and a large number of locals were also present on this historical occasion.

11

Following article is about Pakistani forces working on the LoC.

[thumb=B]3355762700.JPG[/thumb]

A Pakistan army soldier stands near some Indian artillery shells during a news conference at Chakoti Line of Control that divides the Himalayan Kashmir state between India and Pakistan, about 58 kms (36 miles) south of Muzaffarabad, June 1, 2002. REUTERS/Mian Khursheed

Pakistani Forces To Remain On LoC & Working Boundary

Oct 21st, 2002: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj. General Rashid Qureshi has said that Pakistan would withdraw all the troops deployed on international borders except the Line of Control and working boundary “We are going to pull back all our troops from the international borders”, Rashid Qureshi told BBC Radio. He said the Line of Control and Working Boundary is an area where the Indians have massive troops deployment on a permanent basis.

“Now facing those are Pakistani troops which are also there on a permanent basis. We are talking now about the international borders where the Indians had massed their troops”, he added.

Responding to a question regarding the prospects of Indo-Pak talks following these steps, he said, **" I think that is the logical, that should be what we should be aiming for". ** He said it is India which continues to escalate the situation. Pakistan has always said that it is ready for a de-escalation and resumption of talks to resolve the main issue or the core issue of Kashmir. Pakistan has always done more than what India has done he said, adding “what we had said earlier was if India is willing to take one step, we shall take two.”

"So we are doing much more than what India has done, he maintained. Meanwhile, Foreign Office spokesman Aziz Ahmad Khan has said Pakistani troops are deployed on the Line of Control (LoC) in a defensive posture while the Indians’ are in an offensive posture.

“Pakistan is keeping its troops on the LoC in a defensive posture, when India adopted an offensive posture and took an action against Pakistan,” Aziz told BBC Radio. He said Pakistan has been saying from the very beginning that troops ought to be withdrawn, the situation ought to be de-escalated and all the problems ought to be resolved through negotiations. Now as the Indians have announced phased withdrawal of their troops, “Pakistan has decided to withdraw all the troops deployed on international borders,” he added. Asked by what time the troops could be withdrawn from the borders, Aziz said:** “The decision has been made and it takes some time to make logistical arrangements.”** Meanwhile, in an interview with the CNN, the Foreign Office spokesman said that Indians had deployed over 700,000 security forces in held Kashmir.

12

Following article is about Al-Khalid Tank.

[thumb=B]ALKHALID.JPG[/thumb]

Al-Khalid Tank MBT(Main Battle Tank)

AL-KHALID TANK

INTRODUCTION

Al-Khalid is one of the newest and one of the most deadliest tanks in the world, its a result of the advanced technology available in the world today. It meets severe desert conditions, with high performance. It represents the ideal integration of firepower, mobility and protection. This tank is created In Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) Pakistan. Pilot production is underway since November 2000.

Al-Khaild Tanks Unique Abilities

Al-Khalid is capable of targeting the enemy in the dark of night. It is the only tank that has the ability to auto-track the enemy’s tanks. Only French tanks have this capability. It is also as powerful as the German tank Leopard in terms of movement. The Al-Khalid tank’s performance is much better than the Russian T-90-S tank, since its designed extreme temperatures.

Features & Fire Power

Al-Khalid has been designed with a 125mm (48 caliber) smooth bore, auto-frettaged and chrome plated gun which can fire APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FS conventional ammunition and missiles. It is equipped with muzzle reference system, and bi-axis stabilization. Elevation and azimuth control is achieved by electro-hydraulic power drives. The tank is also equipped with a 7.62 mm-coaxial MG, 12.7mm externally mounted MG that can be fired with the hatch closed and grenade launchers.

The gunner is provided with a dual magnification day sight and the commander with a panoramic Hunter Killer sight for all around independent surveillance. Both sights are bi-axis image stabilized and have independent laser range finders.

**Multi-Target Engagement Abilities **

The commander has the ability of acquiring a target independently while the gunner is engaging a previously selected one.

**Rate Of Fire **

The automatic ammunition handling system, with 24 round ready-to-fire magazine further supplements the Hunter-Killer capability of the tank which can load at a rate of 8 rounds a minute. The presence of automatic target tracking system enables the tank to achieve a very high first round hit probability even while firing on a moving target while moving itself.

Night Vision

Night vision for the gunner and commander is achieved through a dual magnification thermal imaging sight. The powerful fire control system computer processes all the firing information, which includes inputs from its ten sensors and is integrated to both sights.

Fire Control

The ballistic computation time is less than one second. For accurate fire control, third generation gating facility has been provided. The result of such a modern fire control system is, routine first round hits on standard (8 ft x 8 ft) targets at ranges in excess of 2000 meters.
The tank with its 125mm gun has a remarkably stable platform, which is provided by a combination of soft recoil and an excellent suspension.

Wrapped around the fire control system are the ergonomic crew positions and controls. The tank commander, gunner and driver can virtually reach all their controls with little movement.

Engine

A 1200 horsepower super charged, diesel engine and semi-automatic transmission, provides mobility. An under Armour auxiliary power supply unit provides a significant reduction in fuel consumption during ‘Silent Watch’ and maintenance operations, as auxiliary functions can be performed without main engine power. The highly reliable suspension consists of torsion bars, hydraulic dampers and buffers that afford a high level of comfort for its crew.

Combat Weight & Speed

Besides a low silhouette, it is considerably smaller as compared to other modern tanks. Its maximum weight of 46 tons provides a double advantage; it is strategically easily deployed and is more agile. Its power to weight ratio, in excess of 26 HP/ton, gives the vehicle a maximum speed of around 70 km/h, acceleration from 0~ 30 km/h in less than 10 seconds.

Its low mean maximum pressure and the excellent ride given by its suspension make Al-Khalid an ideal vehicle to fight in any theatre of operation.

Armour & Protection

Al-Khalid has been designed to provide maximum protection and efficiency for its 3 men crew. Protection is afforded by use of modular composite Armour and explosive reactive Armour. Al-Khalid also offers enhanced protection through NBC, an effective Thermal Smoke Generation, Automatic Fire Extinguishing and Explosion Suppression Systems.

Limited Under Water Capabilities

The submerging system allows it to operate 5 meters under water. Navigation is assisted by the use of Global Positioning and Inertial Navigation Systems.

Al-Khalid & Arjun Tank

Al-Khalid is far more modern than India’s Arjun, which took 25 years to be developed and is still not completed. Pakistan already has an edge over India in an armed conflict, but after the addition of Al-Khalid, Pakistan would be invincible in a land war.

13

From Jane’s Defence

Pakistan Joins DU Producer Nations

[thumb=B]idr010509_1_p.JPG[/thumb]

Among the exhibits at IDEX 2001 was a model of the new 125mm armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) projectile with a depleted uranium (DU) long-rod penetrator, which is being developed by the Pakistani National Development Complex (NDC) for use with T-80UD tanks.

It follows the development of a DU round for the Pakistan Army’s Chinese-designed T-59 tanks, which have been re-armed with 105mm guns and currently fire a license-built version of the British L64A4 tungsten APFSDS projectile. The latter is credited with a range of 4km against a NATO single heavy target. The 105mm DU APFSDS round has a muzzle velocity of 1,450m/s and can penetrate more than 450mm of rolled homogenous armor at an unspecified range.

The performance of the 125mm round is said to be 25% greater. **A noticeable feature of the saddle-type sabots of the NDC 125mm projectile and of the Norinco 125mm tungsten APFSDS projectiles (now being license-produced by Pakistan Ordnance Factories) is the reconfiguration of their forward bore-riders so that the projectiles align accurately with the autoloading system of the T-80UD. **

(It was reported in 1998 that unspecified ‘loadability’ problems had arisen between Chinese projectiles and Ukrainian autoloaders. The same problem is not thought to have been encountered with the loading systems of the 125mm smoothbore guns mounted in Chinese Type 85-IIAP tanks.)

14

Here’s a wonderful article about Pakistan (SSG) Special Services Group.

[thumb=B]pakssg.JPG[/thumb]

COMMANDOS, SPECIAL SERVICES GROUP (SSG)

HISTORY: The SSG was formed ten years after the independence. Its main objective is to work where the regular army is not considered suitable to accomplish the Op as well as being assigned special tasks and covert ops. This may include high crisis situations on the National border to Hostage Rescue operations in country capitals, the SSG is trained to handle sorts of situations.

ORGANIZATION:

Pakistani Elite Special Forces have 4 Brigades

  • First & Second Brigade is dedicated to Military Operations.

  • Third Brigade is an Anti-Terrorist Brigade, and it is known as Musa-Colony.

  • Fourth Brigade is Permantely stationed in Saudi Arabia for the protection of the Saudi Royal Family.

**RECENT ANTI TERRORIST OPERATIONS: **

It was a normal day in the National Capital, when the news of the kidnapping of a school bus carrying more than 35 primary school children, all of whom were below 12 years of age, as well as two teachers and a driver. Authorities immediately fell in stress and pressure about how to stop this chaotic situation. Not only were the Government worried about the lives of the children, they were also trying to figure out a way handle the mediocrity.

It was learned that the kidnappers were 6 Afghan militants, their motif was to get the Pakistani government to accept some of their extremely inexhorbitant demands that included giving them military assets along with fighter jets in the Pak-Airforce.

The news played hell with the parents of the children, who were on the verge on going hysterical. Parents and media both stormed the offices of the authorities, trying to find out what steps were being taken to end the situation.

The government fell a very tricky and difficult situation as the terrorists pressurized them at the same time. They indicated the terrorists that their demands were under consideration and the government will need a little time to fulfill their demands. The terrorists replied by saying that they will be allotted 72 hours before any “unpleasant event occurs”. Then they asked for food for themselves and the hostages, which they were immediately given.

Internally the government had decided to no to give in their demands, and they were planning to take the terrorists down. Many tactical and intelligence teams were called to the operation. Including ISI and SSG, it was decided that there should be a way of contact with the inside world. The terrorists had drawn the curtains of the place so there was virtually no contact inside. It was figured out that the terrorists might be convinced to let an ill child hostage and a teacher walk out of the house and receive medical treatment then they will be returned to the terrorists. That was made their key to the inside world, the two hostages were allowed free. They reported that the hostages were held in separate rooms, guarded by armed terrorists, the terrorists were armed with Kalashinkov assault rifles and pistols, they were wearing typical Afghan dress and army boots and MAY have body armor.

During all that time they were supplied with food and water.

Day one had passed, the next day the hostages were contacted and told that an operation would be carried out at sunset time and it will be aimed to kill all the terrorists on the spot, therefore the hostages had to be prepared for the sudden outbreak of the breach. The hostages had to shift themselves on the floor or under any furniture just 1 minute before the showdown. Any confusion or carelessness could result in severe casualties. The news quietly spread between the hostages during mealtime.

The next day, at the given time the hostages moved to the appropriate locations. The terrorists were really very attentive now; they had their guns ready at all time, and seemed very less hesitant towards taking the lives of the hostages. It was also discovered later that they wore masked that covered their one eye so that they would only have point and fire without worrying to aim.

Then after one minute, a volley of gas and smoke grenades was fired through the house’s windows and into the rooms. After an interval of 3 or 4 seconds SSG’s commandos of the “Zarrar Jareeh” began entering through windows and doors, they were armed with MP5 sub-Machine guns, and Laser trained Glock and Beretta pistols. They were wearing camouflage dress, kevlar vests, and Gas masks, and spare gas grenades. The terrorists were not ready for the attack, but they blindly returned fire, putting lives of the hostages at risk.

It was difficult for them to see through the smoke and gas fumes irritated their eyes. Thankfully, no hostages went hysterical by the heavy the gunfire that rocked the whole neighborhood. By the first 40 seconds 2 terrorists lay dead, they were accurately chest and head shot through the deadly MP5 9mm bursts. The rest of the four terrorists also fell victims of the commandos’ bullets within the next 1 minute! The commandos worked like greased lightening, they stormed the whole house with their guns on the ready, and every terrorist that fell in their way. One terrorist tried to shoot the hostages, just as he was about to execute one of them, two SSG-ians entered the room and pumped him full of lead. It was a really close call, were they late of a second, there might have casualties.

The breech ended within 2 minutes, all terrorists lying dead, all hostages rescued, with no casualties. The Afghan government denied any responsibility of the militants. The parents of the children commended the government and SSG especially for carrying out such a successful operation.

15

PAKISTAN ORDNANCE FACTORIES - MILITARY PRODUCTION FACILITY

Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), the leader of the defense industry in Pakistan, will complete its fifty years in December 2001. It is the largest industrial complex in Pakistan with 14 independent industries spread over a radius of 100km. The POF product range includes:

  • Small arms and machine guns

  • Anti-aircraft weapons

  • Medium Artillery ammunition

  • French mortar bombs

  • Aircraft and anti-aircraft ammunition

  • Low drag aircraft bombs

  • Shoulder-fired rockets

  • MBRL rockets

  • Hand grenades

  • Explosives and propellants

[thumb=A]hecklerandkoch1s.JPG[/thumb]

Pakistan Ordnance Factory is the largest industrial defence complex in Pakistan with 14 independent industries spread over a radius of 100km

In addition, POF produces a large variety of commercial explosives, dynamites and detonators, including industrial chemicals, in its Wah Nobel subsidiary, a joint venture with Nobel of Sweden. Brass rods, cups and extrusions are also commercially available for export.

[thumb=A]munitions2s.JPG[/thumb]
***The 14 factories and six subsidiaries produce infantry weapons, small arms ammunition, artillery ammunition, mortar bombs, aircraft and anti-aircraft ammunition and bombs, rockets, grenades and military and commercial explosives and propellants. ***

All of the 14 factories and 6 subsidiaries are ISO-9001 certified and employ some of the latest state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies incorporating computerised numerical machines, flexible manufacturing systems and robots.

ARMS AND AMMUNITION TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

POF produces arms and ammo of German, French, British and Chinese origin strictly to International standards of acceptance. M/s Moody International, UK awarded the ISO-9001 certificate to all the 14 major industries and six departments of POF.

Conscious of the international requirements regarding preservation of the environment, the Wah Nobel group of companies, a joint venture with M/s Bofors of Sweden, has been awarded certification in ISO-14000 by TUV of Germany.

MODERNISATION, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND UPGRADES

The past 50 years have seen a rapid scientific development and expansion at POF; new state of the art process technologies like CAD and CAM and flexibility manufacturing systems, have been installed. POF is alive to emerging technologies in armament production and interacts with world-renowned manufacturers and R&D establishments at different forums to keep itself abreast of the developments. To further this, an International Defense Science and Technology Seminar is being held from 13-15 Nov 2001 where scientists, R&D establishments and armament producers from all over the world are participating.

TECHNICAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

In its institute of technology POF offers the finest industrial training for artisans, technicians and engineers and also offers specialised courses to foreign students.

[thumb=A]munitions4s.JPG[/thumb]

POF has opened a COMSATS Institute of Technology as a joint venture to provide the best IT education to the residents of POF and five other giant industrial complexes in the vicinity. The Institute will not only help raise the level of IT education in the region, but should prove to be a starting point for POF’s leap into the computerization of its facilities.

CONVENTIONAL ARMS AND AMMO EXPORTS

POF has earned international recognition for its quality and commitment and exports conventional arms and ammunition to clients who are not on the UN Embargo for sale of arms. The pre-requisite is an End User Certificate signed by the respective Ministry/Government. Only after Pakistan Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs issue an export permit, is an order executed

16

**SSG Special Services Group **

Overview

In 1953-54 the Pakistan Army raised an elite commando formation with US Army assistance. To disguise its true mission the new unit was simply designated 10 Bn. of The Baluch Regiment The battalion was posted to a new headquarters at Cherat near Attock City. In march 1964 a Mobile Training Team from the US Army Special Forces Group (Airborne) went to Pakistan to set up a new airborne school at Peshawar for 19 Baluch. The school included basic and jumpmaster courses. All members of 19 Baluch were airborne-qualified. The training team also included four riggers, who helped train Pakistani counterparts.

By this time 19 Baluch was already considered the SSG (Special Services Group) which was divided into 24 companies. Each company had specialization units, specialized in desert, mountain, ranger, and underwater warfare. The desert companies participated in training exercises with US Army Special Forces Mobile Training Team in late 1964. The scuba company in Karachi was renowned for its tough physical training.

In 1970 an anti-terrorist role was added. This mission was given to the Musa Company, an independent formation within SSG. The name was given after the name of Prophet Musa (Moses). The company was originally formed in 1970 as a combat diver unit. In 1980 however each company was given a diver unit. After the Musa company was converted to an anti-terrorist unit, it received training by British SAS advisors in Cherat during mid-1981.

In 1986 SSG began a large-scale basic training program for Sri Lankan Paramilitary militia forces. Commando and airborne training was given to members of the Sri Lankan Commando Regiment.

SSG units have also been seconded in covert operations in Afghanistan during the Afghan war, as air marshals on passenger airlines and as VIP security. At present, the SSG maintains its headquarters at Cherat and runs the Airborne School at Peshawar. Two SSG battalions are normally rotated through Cherat with a third battalion divided between the border and other strategic locations such as the Terbella Dam and nuclear research facilities. Each SSG battalion numbers 700 men in four companies. Each company is split into platoons and further sub-divided into 10 men teams. Battalions are commanded by Lieutenant Colonels, the group is currently run by a Colonel

Training

SSG officers must have at least two years of prior military experience and volunteer from other formations for three-year assignments with the SSG; NCO and enlisted men volunteer from other formations to serve permanently in the SSG. All trainees must participate in an eight-month SSG course at Cherta. The SSG course course emphasizes tough physical conditioning. Included is a 36-mile march in 12 hours, a grueling requirement that was first institutionalized by 19 Baluch. They are also required to run 5 miles in 40 minutes with full gear. Following the SSG course, trainees must volunteer for Airborne School. The course last four weeks, with wings awarded after seven (five day, two night) jumps. none SSG airborne students only have to complete a the five day jump.

Many in the SSG school are selected for additional specialist training. A HALO course is given at Peshawar with a ‘skydiver’ tab awarded after 5 freefall jumps. A “Mountain Warfare” qualification badge is given after completing a course at the Mountain Warfare School in Abbotsbsd; and a “Combat Diver” badge is awarded awarded for the course held by the Naval Special Services Group SSGN at Karachi. three classes of combat swimmers were recognized: 1st class to those completing an 18-mile swim; 2nd class to those finishing a 12-mile swim; and 3rd class for a 6-mile swim. SSG regularly sends students to the US for special warfare and airborne training. later on due to Siachen crisis, a Snow and High Altitude Warfare School was also established.

SSG Weapons and Uniforms

While they were designated 19 Baluch, the Pakistani special forces were distinguished by a green beret with the Baluch Regt. beret insignia on a maroon flash. A ‘Baluch’ tab, black with a maroon background, went on left shoulder. Combat uniforms were Khaki. The SSG dropped the green beret in favor of a maroon beret. A silver metal SSG beret is worn in a light blue felt square. A bullion SSG para wing with a black cloth background is worn on the left chest. A red cloth version is worn by master parachutist who has at least 50 jumps. SSG “Riggers” wear a wing with the English word ‘Rigger’ stitched across the wing. A distinctive SSG badge featuring a dagger framed by lightening bolts, used since 1964 by members of 19 Baluch goes on the left shoulder; qualification tabs and badges such as Skydiver, SCUBA, or Mountain Warfare go on the right shoulder. A silver metal SSG insignia is occasionally worn on shoulder straps.

http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Pakistan/siachen1.jpg

17

**The Air Defence of Pakistan **

*Columnist Syed Imran Shah suggests high-tech modernisation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The author is a Mechanical Engineer and graduate in International Relations & Economics with deep interest in military technology, operations and history.*

INTRODUCTION
The dominant role of air power in modern warfare has been clearly established. A nation unable to defend itself against air assaults of its adversary would be placed at a serious disadvantage in any future conflict. Air defence especially for nations under threat of military aggression thus becomes a vital element in its overall defence strategy.
India has a potent air power strike element that poses a serious threat to the security of Pakistan in any armed conflict. To be able to employ this offensive potential, the Indian Air Force would first have to overcome and degrade Pakistan’s air defence network. A strong and resilient air defence system then becomes imperative for Pakistan in order to prevent the Indian juggernaut. This article will address the air defence issues in general with special focus on Pakistan.

BACKGROUND
To carry out effective strike missions against targets defended by complex air defence systems a special mission was designed, called Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD/DEAD). Some specially modified aircraft were used for these missions, which were called Wild Weasels in the United States Air Force. These warplanes have special equipment for the detection of enemy radar stations and special missiles for knocking out these radars, called anti-radiation missiles (ARMs). The first of this kind was F-100 Super Sabre and later F-105 Thunder Chief armed with AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles, used in the Vietnam War. In the Operation Desert Storm in 1991, USAF used its F-4G Wild Weasels in SEAD role and they played an important role in the destruction of integrated air defences of Iraq. In Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom, the annihilation of the Taliban’s air defence network by SEAD missions permitted the use of the huge B-52 bombers and AC-130s to carry out devastating aerial attacks with impunity.
It was the growing threat of SAMs (Surface-to-air missiles) and sophisticated gun systems that caused the development of Stealth Technology. Stealth Technology is basically used to avoid radar detection without flying at low-level and thus escape many air defence systems. In Operation Desert Storm in 1991, USAF used its stealthy F-117 Night Hawks in the first strikes against the heavily defended targets in Baghdad. The F-22 Raptor is a stealth fighter, therefore, all of the weapons are carried internally in the weapon bay to minimize the range from which it can be detected. But it also has the external stores option, which can be exercised once enemy air defences are suppressed and there are no high stealth requirements. So, the heavy blow comes after the destruction of the air defences.
In order to carry out an effective interdiction mission, air defences of enemy have to be knocked out. On the other hand, for the defenders, to avoid devastation of national assets, air defence must be impregnable. Also, any nuclear strike will certainly be easy against the country whose air defences or ballistic missile defences are relatively weaker.

The EW & Arm Threat
Suppression of enemy air defences is carried out either by hard kill method or soft kill method. Hard kill means actual destruction of anti-aircraft defences and soft kill means jamming or disabling the surveillance and fire control radars for a particular time-period so that a strike formation can finish its job. For the hard kills, AGM-88 HARM (High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and other PGMs (Precision-Guided Munitions) are employed. For the soft kill, special EW (Electronic Warfare) planes are used. The EW planes used in Operation Desert Storm were EF-111 Ravens form USAF and EA-6B Prowlers from US Navy. These EW planes jammed the Iraqi radars and provided a safe corridor to the incoming strike formation. The EF-111s have been retired now. The EA-6 can also carry out HARM strikes against radars.
If a radar operator sees himself under attack of an anti-radar missile and shuts down the radar, even then a soft kill is achieved while attempting a hard kill. But the newer ARMs (other than AGM-45 Shrike like AGM-78 Standard, AGM-88 HARM, ALARM etc) remember the last location of the radar when it was emitting, and they continue their attack based on that last updated position of the SAM radar.
Israeli Air Force has also undertaken SEAD/DEAD missions on massive scale in the Yom Kippur war (1973) and Bekka Valley conflict (1982) in which 19 Syrian SAM sites were destroyed in a single day. In April 1986, the Libyan SA-5 Gammon long-range SAM was disabled by destroying its Square Pair radar by US planes firing ARMs.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR SAMs
An ARM basically destroys the emitting antenna of a radar unit, but the incoming strike formation can then destroy the remaining installations by cluster bomb attacks.
So the radars are prone to jamming and anti-radiation missile attacks and then there is no use of radar-guided Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and radar-controlled AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery).
The Indian acquisition of Russian (Kh-25MP, Kh-59) and French (ARMAT) ARMs, and Israeli Harpy anti-radar drones coupled with IAI Malat Searcher 2 UAVs pose a serious threat to our air defence system. Hence, most of the SAMs defending the strategic assets must have multiple guidance methods, e.g., they should have at least two more guidance sensor like Electro-Optical, Laser, FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red), IIR (Imaging Infra Red) etc in addition to engagement radar to impart them all-weather 24hr capability.
The Crotale NG SHORAD (Short Range Air Defence System) also features this approach and has multiple sensors like radar, FLIR and CCD TV. Both the surveillance and engagement radars of the Crotale NG are frequency-agile. The laser guidance is difficult to jam like CCD TV and IIR seekers. Laser guidance is available in short-range SAMs like Shorts Starburst and ADATS. Laser guided SHORAD systems should be made available to form MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defence System) and DETPADS (Detachment Portable AD System) around key points. The laser guidance allows the SAM to engage intruders at more head on range than simple IR-guided systems. TV-guidance allows engagement of targets at even lower levels than that is possible through radar guidance.
Long-range SAMs have no other option but to be guided by radars. They can be fooled in their final approach by ECMs (Electronic Counter Measures) like jammer, chaff, flare or other decoys, so these radars must feature ECCMs (Electronic Counter Counter Measures) like algorithms of AMRAAM’s radar to reject chaff and other decoys and to engage the correct target.
The MANPADS should be equipped with night sights to enable them to be used at night. Infrared (IR) guided missiles with Imaging IR (IIR) seekers are also difficult to counter because they can even select the part of aircraft to hit from its thermal image.
A SAM-based air defence system consists of surveillance radar for the detection of intruders and engagement radar for missile guidance. The surveillance radar (which is usually long-range) is difficult to replace with another sensor, but should be made resistant against jamming efforts. It should feature high frequency-agility and all possible ECMs (like operating on multiple frequencies at the same time) to make jamming difficult and keep it functioning. Our 35mm GDF-series Oerlikon AD guns should be upgraded to fire the AHEAD round, which will increase their lethality and SSKP (Single Shot Kill Probability).

DEALING WITH LOW LEVEL AIR THREAT
If the attack formation comes at a very low-level (about 100 feet), like the Jaguars of IAF, to avoid radar-detection and follow it up with a typical pop-up manoeuvre over the target, then the only time to engage them would be during their pop up phase when they will be pulling up in order to acquire the target and deliver their weapons load. During the pull-up, they will try to get a radar lock of the target, and this will be a time to get a lock on them and fire the SAM before they can release their payloads in the following dive.
With the availability of retarded bombs, this pop up phase has been considerably reduced thereby making it harder for the SAMs to achieve a lock on for successful engagement. AAA, with its inherent limitations would then be the only option with the defenders to intercept the raiders before weapons release phase.
To detect low-level intruders, the best solution is AWACS (Air Borne Warning And Control System). Today, we have many AWACS platforms available in the market other than US E-2 Hawkeye and E-3 Sentry, like Erieye radar on EMB-145. India is also trying to purchase the Israeli Phalcon AEW system and install it on IL-76 aircraft. This capability will be a force multiplier and greatly assist in not only their air defence effort but also their interdiction missions over Pakistan. The Indian raiders would get timely warning of any interceptors during the strike phase thus permitting them various defensive options to avoid getting intercepted. In the air defence role, after the Indian acquisition of AWACS, PAF’s strike formations would be unable to avoid detection even while flying at very low levels. This would seriously compromise its offensive potential.

18

STANDOFF WEAPONS
Today, the range of standoff Air-to-Surface weapons is on the increase and if the range of an AGM (air-to-ground missile) is more than the engagement range of a SAM, then the SAM site can be easily targeted, if no air cover is provided. With the standoff air-to-ground weapons, the pilot needs not to over fly the target and thus avoid its short-range air defences. So, the counter can be a long-range SAM belt around strategic assets or at least air force fighters should be provided with the best available BVR missiles (which in turn requires a modern long-range airborne radar to operate, even if it has active-radar guidance).
Indian Jaguars have the AS-30L missile, which give them the ability to target Air Defence sites in addition to other targets. Mirage 2000Hs, Jaguars and Mig-27s have been equipped with Rafael Litening targeting pods to deliver LGBs (Laser Guided Bombs) at standoff ranges of up to 64.8km and from a max altitude of 40,000 feet. Thus Litening allows them to avoid the VSHORAD (up to 4km) and SHORAD (up to 10km) systems.
Similarly, PAF is equipped with AGM-65 Mavericks and LGBs (with Atlis pod) and can use them in a number of ways. But this does not mean that they will always attack from standoff ranges. The possibility may be that they will try to destroy the air defences from a standoff range using ARMs, AGMs and LGBs and then carry out interdiction missions of over flying the targets, on the pattern of Israeli Air Force.
Litening Pod also allows Mirage 2000Hs, Jaguars and Mig-27s to undertake night strike missions over Pakistan through FLIR (Forward-looking Infra red). At night manned AAA will also be not effective and the range of the airborne radars (especially where ground radar cover is not available) will limit the operation of hostile interceptors, which is about 39km in Griffo-7 radars in F-7s and upgraded Mirages. Here the long-range radar of F-16s may work.

AIR DEFENCE FIGHTERS
PAF’s F-7s are a Chinese copy of Ex-Soviet Mig-21 Fishbed, which also forms the backbone of Indian air defence. Therefore, F-7s must match the performance of the upgraded Mig-21bis, called Mig-21-93. The upgraded Mig-21 also features BVR capability in the form of R-77 (AA-12 Adder), which is equivalent to AIM-120 AMRAAM.
The F-16s are considered air warriors of Pakistan, so they must be upgraded on the style of MLU (Mid-Life Upgrade) if possible. These fighters rely on Sidewinders (AIM-9L, P) and must be equipped with some latest 4th generation WVR (Within Visual Range) AAM having at least 70-60 degree off-bore sight engagement capability as IAF has R-73 (AA-11, Archer) missile which has off-bore sight capability along with an impressive range. If the acquisition of AIM-9X is not possible then the possibility of integrating A-Darter or ASRAAM or Mica with F-16s, F-7s and Mirages should be investigated.

THE ROLE OF BVR AAM
The detection range of the surveillance radars is always more than the range of Anti-radar missiles or Air-to-Surface Missiles. This can be used to an advantage in the way that friendly fighters on CAP (Combat Air Patrol) or ADA (Air Defence Alert) be instantly vectored towards the general heading of the enemy formation to intercept them well before the launch range of their weapons or the operating range of their jamming equipment. This means that enemy strike formation should be intercepted at least 50km away from target and any enemy fighter/attacker going beyond this should be engaged on priority basis. Some methods should be devised for identification at long distances, so that IFF (Identification of Friend or Foe) is not a problem and ROE (Rules of Engagement) can be relaxed. Here it becomes necessary to have fighter jets equipped with BVR (Beyond Visual Range) AAMs (Air-to-Air Missiles) of at least 35-30 km range to intercept enemy attack formation head on at a maximum safe distance from a strategic or tactical asset.
With the active-radar guided BVR missiles, our fighters will also be able to shoot down very high-flying enemy jets like Mig-25 recce planes. This is a point where we cannot replace fighters by SAMs or other missiles.

BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE
The next important aspect of our air defence system is against Ballistic Missiles because our adversary has the short and long-range Ballistic Missiles and they will certainly be used in any possible future conflict. Here we shall not discuss a national missile defence umbrella on pattern of NMD programme of USA, but the point defence system or TMD (Theatre Missile Defence) protecting a strategic asset from Ballistic missile attacks, like the Patriot system, whose latest version PAC-3 has proved itself in tests.
The Ballistic Missile attacks can be very successful if there is no defence against them, like in our case. A Ballistic missile defence system may not be able to intercept all ballistic missiles fired upon a target but it is also very difficult to launch many ballistic missiles together on a single target due to many reasons.
No one can guarantee the safety of mobile Ballistic missile launchers.
During war, it will be the highest priority of PAF & IAF to search and destroy the mobile launchers of each other like it was the duty of F-16s and other strike aircraft during Operation Desert Storm with surveillance provided by recce planes, UAVs and satellites. The UAVs are capable of providing real-time surveillance. Therefore, air force planes may hunt some of the launchers. It will thus be very unwise both for India and Pakistan to bring many launchers together for launching a salvo of Ballistic missiles.
Out of the remaining launchers, it will be difficult to make about 10 or so missile launchers ready at the same time, due to technical and maintenance problems, keeping in view the complex nature of a ballistic missile. Sometimes the situation may not permit to erect and launch a missile, such as air attack or unfavourable weather conditions.
At last, if one or two missiles are fired on a target, which is defended by a modern ATBM system, then these missiles can be intercepted. These are the reasons that many countries are pursuing ABM systems.

FUTURE PLANS FOR ABM DEFENCE
India is acquiring Russian and Israeli ATBM (Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile) systems like Antey-2500, which is an improved version of S-300V system. It is effective against Ballistic Missiles of ranges up to 2,500 km with a velocity of up to 4.5 km/s. Antey-2500 missiles will be integrated with Israeli Elta Green Pine radars. India has already leased S-300PMU for training purposes. It is also pursuing its own SAM system called Akash with Rajendra radar. Although many tests of the system failed but the programme is still under development. China has also acquired S-300 system from Russia and is working on several SAM systems.
Iran modified the US supplied HAWK SAM for air-to-air role on its F-14 Tomcats. We can also launch our own programme with help from China. Another possibility may be that Pakistan, Iran and China should start a joint ATBM project.
The NESCOM setup can pursue a project in collaboration with the above friendly countries to develop a medium to long-range SAM system (which includes the missile itself and associated radars) capable of intercepting both the air-breathing targets and Ballistic Missiles. Its detection range must be at least 300 kms and engagement range of at least 50-40 km. The SAM system should fire two types of missiles, one for long-to-medium range engagements and other for medium-to-short range engagements, with overlapping region in between. ECCM features must be incorporated right into the design. A start can be taken by designing a medium-range SAM system only against air-breathing targets
(aircraft and cruise missiles).
USA, Russia and Israel are all working on ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) systems. US is pursuing ABL (Air-Borne laser), THAAD (Theatre High Altitude AD) etc, Israel is pursuing Arrow programme and lastly comes the ultimate S-400 multi-layered, multi-missile air defence system of Russia. In future, India may acquire these systems from aforesaid countries but Pakistan may not be able to do so. Therefore, to maintain a balance of power and a strong air defence, we shall have to do it ourselves.

19

:)

20

very intresting read :k:

:jhanda: