List of active Pakistan Air Force aircraft

Pakistan Air Force
History
History of the PAF
Aircraft
Air Force weaponry
Units and infrastructure
Air Headquarters
Pakistan Air Force Squadrons
Air Force Bases
Special Services Wing
Air Force Strategic Command
Personnel
Ranks and insignias
Chief of Air Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
Serving air marshals
Other information
Air Force Educational System
Air intelligence

Below is a list of aircraft currently in active service with the Pakistan Air Force.

List

Aircraft Manufacturer Origin Class Role Introduced In service Total Notes
Combat Aircraft
J-10C Vigorous Dragon CAC China Jet Multirole 11 March 2022[1] 20 20[2][3] J-10CE (20 delivered, 16 on order)[2][3]
JF-17 Thunder PAC, CAC Pakistan / China Jet Multirole 18 February 2010[4] 156 161[5] JF-17A Block 1 (50)

JF-17A Block 2 (62)

JF-17B Block 2 (26)[6]

JF-17C Block 3 (23 delivered,[a] 27 on order)[8][9]

All Block 1 and 2 JF-17s are planned to be upgraded to Block 3 standard.

F-16 Fighting Falcon General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin United States Jet Multirole 15 January 1983[10] 75 85[11] F-16AM Block 15 MLU (31)[11][12][13][14][15]

F-16BM Block 15 MLU (23)[11][12][13][14][15]

F-16A Block 15 ADF (9)[11][14]

F-16B Block 15 ADF (4)[11][14]

F-16C Block 52+ (12)[11][13][14]

F-16D Block 52+ (6)[11][13][14]

Mirage III Dassault France Jet Multirole 8 March 1968[16] 87[17] 135 Several variants with extensive Project ROSE upgrades. All Mirage IIIs being replaced by Block 3 JF-17Cs[18] and J-10CEs.
Mirage 5 Dassault France Jet Attack, Reconnaissance 1970 92[17] 139 Several variants with extensive Project ROSE upgrades. All Mirage 5s being replaced by Block 3 JF-17Cs[18] and J-10CEs.
F-7PG Skybolt CAC China Jet Interceptor 2002 53 60[19]

All F-7PGs/FT-7PGs being replaced by Block 3 JF-17Cs.[20]

Trainer Aircraft
Karakorum-8 (K-8)[21] Hongdu,
PAC 		China / Pakistan Jet Intermediate Jet Trainer 1994 60 60 K-8 (12)

K-8P (48)

T-37 Tweet Cessna United States Jet Basic Jet Trainer 1962 69 73 T-37B/C. 20 refurbished ex-USAF T-37 delivered by end of 2008 to replace older T-37 or provide parts.[22] T-37 to be eventually replaced with K-8P. On 28 October 2015, the Turkish Air Force transferred 34 T-37Cs to the PAF, including spares.
MFI-17 Mushshak PAC Pakistan / Sweden Turboprop Primary Trainer 1974 145 151 MFI-17 Mushshak (115)

Super Mushshak (30)

Some MFI-17 Mushshaks to be upgraded to Super Mushshak standard.[23]

Strategic Airlift & Aerial Refueling Aircraft
Il-78 Ilyushin Russia Jet Strategic Airlift Transporter/Aerial Refueler 2009 4 4 Il-78MP. Dual-role aerial refeulers and freighters. Ex-Ukrainian Air Force.[24][25][26][27][28]
Transport Aircraft
C-130 Hercules Lockheed Martin United States Turboprop Tactical Airlift Transporter 1963 23[29][17][30] 25 C-130B (5)

C-130E (7)

C-130H (13)

All C-130s overhauled and upgraded by PAC.[31]

PAF had ordered 7 ex-Belgian Air Component refurbished C-130H aircraft in 2019.[32][30] By June 2023, it had inducted all 7 aircraft into its fleet.[29]

Saab 2000 Saab Sweden Turboprop Transport, Training 2008 7[33] 7 Also used to train aircrew for the Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C. Delivered in December 2008.
Y-12 Harbin China Turboprop Utility 1993 2[33] 2 Y-12II
Airbus A319 Airbus France Jet Multirole July 2022 1 1 A319-112[33][34] Previously operated by Avion Express (Lithuania).
Global 6000 Bombardier Canada Jet VIP Transport 2022 1 1 [35] May be converted to EW, ESM, ECM platform in future.[36]
Citation V Cessna United States Jet VIP Transport 1 1 [37]
Gulfstream IV Gulfstream United States Jet VIP Transport 2004 2 2 Gulfstream IV-SP[38] and Gulfstream IV G-450[39]
Phenom 100 Embraer Brazil Jet VIP Transport 2009 4 4 [40][41][42]
Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft
Saab 2000 Erieye[43] Saab Sweden Turboprop AEW&C 2011 9 10 Saab 2000 equipped with the Saab Erieye AEW&C system. Three aircraft were damaged after Minhas airbase attack, of which two aircraft were repaired at PAC. Fleet restored to four aircraft by 2016 by acquiring an additional aircraft. Three more aircraft delivered in 2019. Two more ordered in 2020 and delivered by 2023. One aircraft lost until date.[44][45]
Electronic Warfare Aircraft
Falcon DA-20 Dassault France Jet EW, ESM, ECM 1986 3[33] 3 Modified electronic warfare version of the Dassault Falcon 20 business jet.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Bayraktar Akıncı Baykar Turkey HALE UCAV, UAV Reconnaissance, Strike 2023[46] 2 2 High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UCAV. 1 delivered in 2023, 1 delivered in 2024, 5 on order.[47]
Bayraktar TB2 Baykar Turkey MALE UCAV, UAV Reconnaissance, Strike 2022[48][49] Unknown Unknown Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UCAV. Operationalized in January 2022.[50]
Wing Loong II CAIG China MALE UCAV, UAV Reconnaissance, Strike 2021 3 3 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UCAV. 3 Inducted in PAF in June 2021. Operationalized with No. 63 Combat UAS Squadron at PAF Base M.M. Alam.[51]
Shahpar-II GIDS Pakistan MALE UCAV, UAV Reconnaissance, Strike 2021 Unknown Unknown Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UCAV.[52]
Anka TAI,
NESCOM 		Turkey / Pakistan MALE UCAV, UAV Reconnaissance, Strike 2021 Unknown Unknown Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UCAV. Contract signed between TAI and NESCOM in August 2021 for joint production of Anka UCAVs with technology transfer to Pakistan.[53]
Burraq NESCOM Pakistan UCAV, UAV Reconnaissance, Strike 2014 13 13 Used jointly with Pakistan Army.[54]
CH-4 Rainbow CASC China UCAV, UAV Reconnaissance, Strike 2021[55] 12-24 12-24 CH-4A and CH-4B.[56][55]
Falco Selex ES / PAC Italy / Pakistan UAV Reconnaissance 2007[57] 26 26 PAF launch customer for Falco UAV in 2007.[57] Manufactured under license at PAC since 2008 with technology transfer to Pakistan.[58]
Shahpar GIDS Pakistan UAV Reconnaissance 2012[59] 6 6 [60]
Jasoos II SATUMA Pakistan UAV Reconnaissance, Training 2010 46 46 Bravo+. Primary work horse for UAV Operations and Training Program.[61]
Helicopters
Mi-17 Mil Russia Helicopter Transport, Utility 2010 40[citation needed] Mil Mi-17-1[62][63]
AW139 AgustaWestland Italy Helicopter SAR, Utility 2018 14 14 AW139M[64][65]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "JF-17C Block 3 (Serial No. 23-323) can be seen in flight on an operational mission in the video indicating that at least 23 aircraft of the Block 3 variant are operational as of 11 July, 2024."[7]

References

  1. ^ "Pakistan inducts China-made J-10C fighter jets into PAF". The Hindu. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Pakistan acquires squadron of elite J-10C fighter: Reports". 30 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Defense World".
  4. ^ "First Squadron of JF-17 Thunder inducted in PAF". pk.china-embassy.gov.cn.
  5. ^ "Pakistan Air Force CAS Outlines Next Procurement Steps". 26 May 2019.
  6. ^ "PAC Kamra rolls out final 14 JF-17B fighters for Pakistan Air Force". www.janes.com.
  7. ^ "President of Azerbaijan arrived on state visit to Pakistan". 11 July 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Pakistan Inducts JF-17 Block 3 Fighter Jets Into Its 'Black Panthers' Squadron After Acquiring 'Cutting-Edge' J-10C". 5 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Military Watch Magazine".
  10. ^ "Why does Pakistan Air Force love the F-16?". 11 April 2016.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "F-16 Aircraft Database – Pakistan". www.f-16.ne.
  12. ^ a b "Inside the Combat History of the Pakistani Air Force's F-16 Fleet". 30 September 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d "F-16". www.globalsecurity.org.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Billions to Upgrade and Up-arm Pakistans F-16s". www.defenseindustrydaily.com.
  15. ^ a b "F-16.net - the ultimate F-16, F-22, F-35 reference". www.f-16.ne.
  16. ^ "On this day 55 years ago, the first batch of Mirage aircraft was inducted into Pakistan Air Force". YouTube.
  17. ^ a b c "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal Insight. 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Thrifty at 50: Pakistan keeps ageing Mirages flying". 29 April 2018.
  19. ^ "J-7 / F-7 Fighter Aircraft".
  20. ^ "Pakistan Air Force to replace entire F-7P fleet with JF17 Fighter Jets". 25 January 2019.
  21. ^ "Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra – Karakoram-8 (K-8) Aircraft". Pac.org.pk. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  22. ^ Govindasamy, Siva (21 August 2008). "Pakistan to receive more T-37 trainers". Flight International. flightglobal.com. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  23. ^ air force | combat aircraft | super lynx | 2004 | 09–2371 | Flight Archive. Flightglobal.com (22 November 2004). Retrieved on 2012-07-01.
  24. ^ "Ukrainian Firm Signs Contract to Repair Pakistani IL-78 Refueling Aircraft". 17 June 2021.
  25. ^ Parsons, Gary (21 December 2009). "Pakistan's Midas touch". Keypublishing. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  26. ^ http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3850339 [dead link]
  27. ^ Pakistan Receiving IL-78 Refueling aircraft. Defenseindustrydaily.com (8 December 2008). Retrieved on 2012-07-01.
  28. ^ PAF to Acquire Ilyushin Il-78 aircraft by 2010 | Aviation & Air Force News at DefenceTalk. Defencetalk.com (11 August 2009). Retrieved on 2012-07-01.
  29. ^ a b "C-130 aircraft bought from Belgium inducted into PAF fleet". 11 June 2023.
  30. ^ a b "Pakistan to procure Belgian C-130". 2 August 2022.
  31. ^ "Pakistan Air Force achieves milestone by completing overhaul of 50th C-130".
  32. ^ "Pakistan increases transport capacity". 2 August 2022.
  33. ^ a b c d "World Air Forces 2024". Flightglobal Insight. 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Aviation Photo #7022361: Airbus A319-112 - Pakistan - Air Force".
  35. ^ "Aviation Photo #7022381: Bombardier Global 6000 (BD-700-1A10) - Pakistan - Air Force".
  36. ^ "New Aircraft for Pakistan Air Force". 2 January 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  37. ^ bell | cessna | lockheed jetstar | 2004 | 09–2372 | Flight Archive. Flightglobal.com (22 November 2004). Retrieved on 2012-07-01.
  38. ^ "Aviation Photo #6744749: Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV Gulfstream IV-SP - Pakistan - Air Force".
  39. ^ "Aviation Photo #6828151: Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV-X Gulfstream G450 - Pakistan - Air Force".
  40. ^ Embraer Delivers Phenom 100 To Pakistan's Air Force. aero-news.net (26 March 2009).
  41. ^ "Embraer makes first foray into Pakistan", Flight International, date published: 31 March 2009
  42. ^ "Pakistan air force receives first Phenom 100 very light jet". Flightglobal.com (26 March 2009). Retrieved on 2012-07-01.
  43. ^ "Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C | Saab".
  44. ^ "PAKISTAN'S PUSH TO REPLACE LEGACY AIR PLATFORMS". 24 March 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  45. ^ "Pakistan Boosts Saab 2000 'Erieye' AEW&C Fleet, Nine Aircraft Currently". 29 January 2024. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  46. ^ Riyaz ul Khaliq (25 December 2023). "Pakistan Air Force showcases new fleet of Turkish drones".
  47. ^ Şafak, Yeni. "Game of Drones: Pakistani pilots operating Turkish-made Akıncı UCAVs get shiny new patch | Product News". Yeni Şafak. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  48. ^ "Pakistan integrating TB2 into air-defence network". Janes.com. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  49. ^ "Pakistan Operationalises Bayraktar TB-2 MALE UCAV for PAF". 10 January 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  50. ^ [1] [bare URL]
  51. ^ "China to supply 50 drones to Pakistan for defence purposes". 30 December 2020.
  52. ^ "Pakistan's Shahpar II UCAV breaks cover | Shephard".
  53. ^ https://www.defenseworld.net/news/30279/Pakistan_Will_Start_Producing_Components_ .html [bare URL]
  54. ^ Bokhari, Farhan; Hardy, James (12 March 2015). "Pakistan successfully fires missile from indigenous UAV". Jane's Defence Weekly. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  55. ^ a b "Lifting The Veil - Pakistan's Chinese UCAVs". Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  56. ^ "Pakistan procures CASC Rainbow (CAI HONG) CH-4 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". 29 January 2021.
  57. ^ a b "First Galileo Avionica Falco UAV set for delivery, launch customer remains undisclosed".
  58. ^ "Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra – Aircraft Manufacturing Factory". Pac.org.pk. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  59. ^ "IDEX: Explosion of UAVs at Exhibit | Defense News | defensenews.com". defensenews.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  60. ^ "IDEX: Explosion of UAVs at Exhibit". Defense News. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  61. ^ Tactical Range UAV – Jasoos II (Bravo+) Archived 10 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Satuma.com.pk. Retrieved on 2012-07-01.
  62. ^ "KARACHI: Roll-out of MI-171 helicopters -DAWN – Local; March 18, 2008". Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  63. ^ Pakistan Air Force Equipment. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved on 2012-07-01.
  64. ^ Air Forces Monthly, Issue 362, May 2018, page 28
  65. ^ "Pakistan air force updates". quwa.org. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.