The PAF Today
Things changed drastically in the new millennium. Not only was the Grifo 7 radar chosen for introduction in the F-7P (the radar being built bij the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra), the PAF also received over 60 F(T)-7PG aircraft to replace the ageing F-6 Farmers. Additional Mirages were yet again acquired from Lebanon and Libya. For their help in the anti-terrorism activities the US promissed military aid to Pakistan in 2002 and declared Pakistan a Major Non-NATO ally in 2004. This eventually led to the US granting permission to order and deliver F-16s to the country again. Furthermore six (former RAAF) C-130 are being delivered to bolster the transport capacity. The major earthquake in 2005 led to a delay in the order and the country is looking at a combined order for F-16s and the Chinese J10. The order for new built F-16C/D Block 50/52 was signed September 2006. It also included delivery of the F-16s that were affected by the embargo in the 90s! Another new type is the FC-1/JF-17 Thunder. The aircraft was developed by a joint venture between CAC and Pakistani Aeronautical Complex (PAC). PAF hopes to acquire 150 aircraft of this type to replace a large number of the Mirages and older F-7s. The first two aircraft of 16 currenly on order for Pakistan arrived on 2 March 2007. They were officially presented on 12 March 2007 and made their first public appearance during the Pakistan Day Parade on 23 March 2007. Four T-37Cs are forming the aerobatic team the Sherdils (Urdu for "lionhearted"). In the coming years the 20 T-37C aircraft will be replaced by the new K-8 Karakorum. The first K-8s have been operating at the Evaluation Flight at PAF Academy Risalpur since the mid-ninetees but additional aircraft (6 + 22) have recently been ordered. The Primary Flying Training Wing (PAF Academy) at Risalpur has received the first three Super Mushshaks by 10 May 2001. The main improvement on this modified version is a more powerful engine. In 2006 the country placed an order for Swedish Saab 2000 aircraft equiped with the Erieye-system. This type will eventualy give the PAF the AWACS-capacity it was looking for. The PAF saw the arrival of Mi-17 transport helicopters and appears to operate a number of Bell 412s as well (26 helicopters of this type were delivered to the various services in 2004/2005).