Editing Pakistan Armed Forces (section)

===Air Force===
{{Main|Pakistan Air Force}}
Brought into existence in 1947 with the establishment of the [[Pakistan Air Force Academy]], the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is regarded as a "powerful defence component of the country's defence."{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} The prefix "Royal" was added in 1947, but dropped when Pakistan became an [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1956|Islamic republic]] in 1956.<ref name="Shaheen Foundation-A">{{cite book|last1=Hussain|first1=Syed Shabbir|last2=Qureshi|first2=M. Tariq|title=History of the Pakistan Air Force, 1947–1982|date=1985|publisher=Shaheen Foundation|location=Lahore, Pakistan|isbn=978-0-19-648045-9|page=332}}</ref> The PAF is the seventh-largest air force and the largest in the [[Muslim world]], with about 943 combat fighter jets and over 200 trainer, transport, communication, helicopter, and force-multiplier aircraft. A single command structure [[Air Headquarters (Pakistan Air Force)|Air Headquarters]] (AHQ) is based at [[Islamabad]]. The air force is commanded by the [[Chief of Air Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Air Staff]] (CAS), by statute a four-star air chief marshal, appointed by the president, with the consultation and confirmation of the prime minister.<ref name="pakistani.org"/> {{As of|2021|March|post=,}} Air Chief Marshal [[Zaheer Ahmad Babar]] is the CAS.<ref name="NewsTribe: New PAF chief">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/855151/air-marshal-sohail-aman-appointed-as-the-new-air-chief|title=Air Marshal Sohail Aman appointed as the new air chief – The Express Tribune|date=18 March 2015|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=31 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617164856/http://tribune.com.pk/story/855151/air-marshal-sohail-aman-appointed-as-the-new-air-chief/|archive-date=17 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In many important events in Pakistan's history, the air force has played a pivotal, influential, and crucial role in the nation's defence and national security, and promoted a sense of security in civil society.<ref name="Dunya News, 2014-B">{{cite news|last1=News desk|title=PAF is playing pivotal role in Zarb-e-Azb operation: Air Chief|url=http://dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/Pakistan/238086-PAF-is-playing-pivotal-role-in-ZarbeAzb-operatio|access-date=7 December 2014|work=Dunya News |year=2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904011516/http://dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/Pakistan/238086-PAF-is-playing-pivotal-role-in-ZarbeAzb-operatio|archive-date=4 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Express Tribune, 3 December 2014">{{cite news|last1=Hassan|first1=Saad|title=Outnumbered but not outfoxed|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/800977/outnumbered-not-outfoxed-paf-knows-how-to-defend-pakistan/|access-date=7 December 2014|work=The Express Tribune|publisher=Express Tribune, 3 December 2014|date=3 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213014420/http://tribune.com.pk/story/800977/outnumbered-not-outfoxed-paf-knows-how-to-defend-pakistan/|archive-date=13 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dawn Newspapers">{{cite news|last1=AFP|title=PAF fully equipped to defend country's aerial frontiers|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1134256|access-date=7 December 2014 |work=Dawn|location=Pakistan|date=6 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210012657/http://www.dawn.com/news/1134256|archive-date=10 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PAF Grand Strategy">{{cite web|last1=RMS Azam|title=Wings Over Chagai: PAF and Chagai Nuclear tests|url=http://www.grandestrategy.com/2009/03/wings-over-chagai-story-of-israels.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141207102332/http://www.grandestrategy.com/2009/03/wings-over-chagai-story-of-israels.html|archive-date=7 December 2014|publisher=PAF Grand Strategy|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> Its military significance and importance in public perception contribute to the PAF's dominance over the other major service branches.<ref name="The Pakistan Air Force's National interests">{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=R.S.N.|title=The military factor in Pakistan|date=2008|publisher=Frankfort, IL|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-0-9815378-9-4|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wCm2DFZblOYC&q=Pakistan+Air+Force+largest+seventh+air+force&pg=PA338|access-date=7 December 2014|chapter=The Pakistan Air Force's National interests|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200233/https://books.google.com/books?id=wCm2DFZblOYC&q=Pakistan+Air+Force+largest+seventh+air+force&pg=PA338|url-status=live}}</ref> The PAF officially uses the slogan: "Second to None; fully abreast with the requisite will and mechanism to live by its standards in the coming millennium and beyond."<ref name="IDEAS on PAF">{{cite web|last1=IDEAS staff|title=IDEAS on PAF|url=http://ideaspakistan.gov.pk/paf.php|publisher=IDEAS on PAF|access-date=7 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204043352/http://www.ideaspakistan.gov.pk/paf.php|archive-date=4 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:F-16 Red Flag 2010 Pakistan Air Force 9 sqn Griffins.jpg|thumb|PAF [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F16s]] in tight formation in [[Nevada]], U.S., {{circa}} 2010.]]
Historically, the air force has been heavily dependent on U.S., Chinese, and French aircraft technology to support its growth, despite impositions of the Pressler amendment.<ref name="Shaheen Foundation-A" /> While [[F-16 Falcon|F-16s]] continue to be a backbone of the air force,<ref name="Express News">{{cite news |title=PAF inducts new batch of F-16s|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/711498/flown-in-from-jordan-paf-inducts-new-batch-of-f-16s/|access-date=7 December 2014|work=Express News|date=22 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005101203/http://tribune.com.pk/story/711498/flown-in-from-jordan-paf-inducts-new-batch-of-f-16s/|archive-date=5 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> the local development and quick production of the [[JF-17 Thunder|JF-17]] have provided an alternative route to meet its aerial combat requirements.<ref name="Indian Express News, 2013">{{cite news|last1=Bipindra|first1=N.C.|title=Pakistan's firepower gets Russia edge on the sly|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Pakistans-firepower-gets-Russia-edge-on-the-sly/2013/07/07/article1671555.ece|access-date=7 December 2014 |work=Indian Express News |date=7 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223125709/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Pakistans-firepower-gets-Russia-edge-on-the-sly/2013/07/07/article1671555.ece|archive-date=23 December 2014}}</ref> According to PAF accounts, the air force plans to retire several of its ageing French-licensed [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]] and [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5]] fighter jets.<ref name="Grand Strategy">{{cite web|author=<!-- Unknown author -->|title=Project ROSE|url=http://www.grandestrategy.com/2013/06/the-paf-mirage-rose-upgrade.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141124014336/http://www.grandestrategy.com/2013/06/the-paf-mirage-rose-upgrade.html|archive-date=24 November 2014|website=grandstrategy.com|publisher=Grand Strategy|access-date=24 November 2014|date=22 June 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder flies in front of the 26,660 ft high Nanga Parbat.jpg|thumb|left|Pakistan's domestically produced [[JF-17 Thunder]], developed jointly by [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex|PAC]] and [[Chengdu Aircraft Corporation|CAC]]]]

Joint production with the [[People's Liberation Army Air Force|Chinese Air Force]] of a light-weight [[Multirole combat aircraft|multi-role combat aircraft]] and further avionics development of the JF-17 is ongoing at the [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex]] (PAC). As of 2016, 70 JF-17s are operational and have replaced 50 Mirage IIIs and F-7Ps. The PAF plans to replace all F-7Ps and Mirage III/5 aircraft by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Confirmed: Pakistan Air Force now operates 70 JF-17 fighter jets|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/12/confirmed-pakistan-air-force-now-operates-70-jf-17-fighter-jets/|website=The Diplomat|access-date=19 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214063528/https://thediplomat.com/2016/12/confirmed-pakistan-air-force-now-operates-70-jf-17-fighter-jets/|archive-date=14 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pakistan Air Force Chief sets expectations for near and long-term force goals.|url=http://quwa.org/2017/03/29/pakistan-air-force-chief-sets-expectations-near-long-term-force-goals/|website=quwa.org|publisher=Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group|access-date=19 May 2017|date=29 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507130301/http://quwa.org/2017/03/29/pakistan-air-force-chief-sets-expectations-near-long-term-force-goals/|archive-date=7 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Shaheen Foundation-B">{{cite book|last1=Sheikh, PAF|first1=Air Marshal Rashid|title=The story of the Pakistan Air Force, 1988–1998: a battle against odds|date=2001|publisher=Shaheen Foundation|location=Pakistan|isbn=978-969-8553-00-5|page=432}}</ref> The F-7PG will be replaced later, and the JF-17 fleet may eventually be expanded to 300 aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C11%5C29%5Cstory_29-11-2008_pg5_4|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121221081739/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C11%5C29%5Cstory_29-11-2008_pg5_4|title=IDEAS 2008 secures orders worth $40m|archive-date=21 December 2012|website=Daily Times}}</ref> Realizing the importance of [[fifth generation fighter aircraft]], the PAF successfully negotiated for the procurement of approximately 36 Chinese [[Chengdu J-10|FC-20]] fighter jets – a deal worth around US$1.4&nbsp;billion, signed in 2009.<ref name="Associate Press of Pakistan, 2009">{{cite news|last1=APP|title=PAF to acquire 36 5th-generation combat aircraft from China: PAF Chief|url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59626&Itemid=1|access-date=7 December 2014|work=Associate Press of Pakistan|date=19 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213085906/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59626&Itemid=1|archive-date=13 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Singapore Times">{{cite news|last1=Govindasamy|first1=Siva|title=Pakistan signs deal for Chinese J-10 fighters|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pakistan-signs-deal-for-chinese-j-10-fighters-334681/|access-date=7 December 2014|work=Singapore Times|publisher=Singapore Times, 2009|date=13 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209120418/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pakistan-signs-deal-for-chinese-j-10-fighters-334681/|archive-date=9 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> It was expected that the FC-20s would be delivered in 2015.<ref name="News International, 2012">{{cite news|title=Defence industry likely to reach $10.4&nbsp;billion by 2015|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-3-143080-Defence-industry-likely-to-reach-$104-billion-by-2015|access-date=7 December 2014|work=News International |date=16 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211065241/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-3-143080-Defence-industry-likely-to-reach-$104-billion-by-2015|archive-date=11 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In close co-ordination with [[Turkish Aerospace Industries]], the PAC engaged in a mid-life update (MLU) program of its [[F-16]]A/Bs, approximately 26 of which are in service.<ref name="ISPR (Air Force Division)">{{cite web|last1=air force staff press|title=PAF F-16 Block 15 Aircraft arrives after Mid Life Upgrade, Islamabad|url=http://www.paf.gov.pk/F-16_Mid_life_upgrade.html|publisher=ISPR (Air Force Division)|access-date=7 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209044522/http://www.paf.gov.pk/F-16_Mid_life_upgrade.html|archive-date=9 December 2014}}</ref> In 2010, the air force procured at least 18 newly built [[F-16]]C/D Block 52s under the Peace Gate-II{{clarify|date=January 2017}} by the United States.<ref name=F-16s.net>{{cite web |title=F-16s in Pakistan Air Force|url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article14.html|website=F-16s.net|access-date=7 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529022627/http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article14.html|archive-date=29 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2009, the PAF enlisted two types of [[airborne early warning and control]] (AEW&C) systems aircraft: four [[Erieye]]-equipped [[Saab 2000]]s from Sweden, and a Chinese AWACS based on the [[Shaanxi Y-8|Shaanxi Y-8F]] cargo aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/04/nat5.htm|title=PAF inducts SAAB system into fleet|date=4 April 2008|website=Dawn|location=Pakistan|access-date=21 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228230651/http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/04/nat5.htm|archive-date=28 December 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Four [[Ilyushin Il-78]] aerial tankers, capable of refueling F-16, Mirage III, Mirage 5, JF-17, and FC-20 fighters, have been acquired second-hand from Ukrainian surplus stocks.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1999/02/24/48468/improvise-and-modernise.html Improvise and modernise-24 February 1999-Flight International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117112458/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1999/02/24/48468/improvise-and-modernise.html |date=17 January 2012 }}. ''Flightglobal''. (24 February 1999). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070707171404/http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/04/20/top4.htm Top Story: New Fighter Squadron added to Pakistan Air Force]}}. Pakistan Times. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref><ref>[http://news.webindia123.com/news/ar_showdetails.asp?id=704201030&cat=&n_date=20070420 PAF gets new Mirage fighter squadron – News – Webindia123.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718013313/http://news.webindia123.com/news/ar_showdetails.asp?id=704201030&cat=&n_date=20070420 |date=18 July 2011 }}. News.webindia123.com (20 April 2007). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> The fleet of [[Shenyang J-5|FT-5]] and [[T-37 Tweet|T-37]] trainers is to be replaced with approximately 75 [[K-8 Karakorum]] intermediate jet training aircraft.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Other major developments continue to be under development by the local aerospace industries;<ref name="Defence News, 2014">{{cite web|last1=Ansari|first1=Usman|title=Thunder Resonates as Modernization Inches Forward in Pakistan|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140210/DEFREG/302100032/Thunder-Resonates-Modernization-Inches-Forward-Pakistan|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140210174356/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140210/DEFREG/302100032/Thunder-Resonates-Modernization-Inches-Forward-Pakistan|archive-date=10 February 2014|publisher=Defence News, 2014|access-date=7 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> some of its electronic systems were exhibited in [[International Defence Exhibition and Seminar|IDEAS 2014]] held in [[Karachi]].<ref name="Express News, IDEAS">{{cite news|last1=Agencies|title=IDEAS 2014 opens: Govt focusing on export of defence ware, says PM|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/800511/ideas-2014-opens-govt-focusing-on-export-of-defence-ware-says-pm/|access-date=7 December 2014|work=Express News |date=3 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213012305/http://tribune.com.pk/story/800511/ideas-2014-opens-govt-focusing-on-export-of-defence-ware-says-pm/|archive-date=13 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>{{relevance inline|date=January 2017}} Since the 1960s, the PAF has held regular combat exercises, such as [[Exercise Saffron Bandit]] and Exercise High Mark, modelled on the [[USAF Weapons School]]; many authors believe the PAF is capable of mastering the methods of "[[toss bombing]]" since the 1990s.<ref name=Lancer>{{cite book|last1=Verma|first1=Anand K.|title=Reassessing Pakistan: role of two nation theory|date=2001|publisher=Lancer|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-7062-287-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zJEp2I5BIIAC&q=pakistan+air+force+toss+bombing&pg=PA252|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200205/https://books.google.com/books?id=zJEp2I5BIIAC&q=pakistan+air+force+toss+bombing&pg=PA252|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Trafford On Demand Pub">{{cite book|last1=Barvarz|first1=Fartash|title=Islamic atomic bomb cookbook|date=2010|publisher=Trafford on Demand Pub|location=[S.l.]|isbn=978-1-4269-2366-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EO1RVGGL9jEC&q=pakistan+air+force+toss+bombing&pg=PA17|access-date=7 December 2014|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200220/https://books.google.com/books?id=EO1RVGGL9jEC&q=pakistan+air+force+toss+bombing&pg=PA17|url-status=live}}</ref>