Pakistan Air Force

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) (Urdu: پاک فِضائیہ, romanized: Pāk Fìzāʾiyah; pronounced [pɑːk fɪzɑːɪjəɦ]) is the aerial warfare branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces, tasked primarily with the aerial defence of Pakistan, with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy when required, and a tertiary role of providing strategic airlift capability to Pakistan. As of 2021, as per the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the PAF has more than 70,000 active-duty personnel and operates at least 1370+ aircraft.PAF stands as the eight largest Air Force in the world. PAF is the largest Air Force of the Muslim world in terms of aircraft fleet. Its primary mandate and mission is "to provide, in synergy with other inter-services, the most efficient, assured and cost effective aerial defence of Pakistan." Since its establishment in 1947, the PAF has been involved in various combat operations, providing aerial support to the operations and relief efforts of the Pakistani military. Under Article 243, the Constitution of Pakistan appoints the President of Pakistan as the civilian Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), by statute a four-star air officer, is appointed by the President with the consultation and confirmation needed from the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Pakistan Air Force
  • پاک فِضائیہ‎,
  • Pāk Fìzāʾiyah
Founded14 August 1947 (1947-08-14)
Country Pakistan
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size
Part ofPakistan Armed Forces
HeadquartersAir Headquarters (AHQ), Sector E-9, Islamabad-44230
Motto(s)
  • Urdu: قوم کا سرمایہ افتخار
  • "A symbol of pride for the nation" (ISPR official)
  • Persian: صحراست که دریاست ته بال و پر ماست
  • "Be it deserts or seas; all lie under our wings" (traditional)
Colours    
AnniversariesAir Force Day: 7 September
Engagements
Major conflicts and wartime operations
Websitepaf.gov.pk
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefPresident Arif Alvi
Chairman Joint Chiefs of StaffGeneral Sahir Shamshad Mirza
Chief of the Air StaffAir Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar
Vice Chief of the Air StaffAir Marshal Muhammad Zahid Mahmood
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Flag
Aircraft flown
AttackMirage 5, Mirage III, Burraq UCAV, CH-4 UCAV, Wing Loong II UCAV, Akıncı UCAV, TB2 UCAV
Electronic
warfare
2000 Erieye (AWACS), ZDK-03 (AWACS), Falcon DA-20 (EW)
FighterF-16A/B/AM/BM/C/D, JF-17A/B, Chengdu J-10C
HelicopterAW139, Bell 205, Bell 412, Mi-171, Bell AH-1 Cobra
InterceptorF-7PG
ReconnaissanceMirage IIIRP, Jasoos I UAV, Jasoos II Bravo+ UAV, Shahpar UAV, Selex ES Falco
TrainerMFI-17 Mushshak, MFI-395 Super Mushshak, T-37, K-8P, FT-6, FT-7, F-16B/D, JF-17B
TransportC-130B/E/L-100, CN-235, Gulfstream IV, Phenom 100, Saab 2000, Harbin Y-12
TankerIlyushin Il-78
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.