Pakistan Navy Takes Over the Command of the Combined Task Force 151

Pakistan Navy has taken over the command of the Combined Task Force 151 (Combined Task Force One Five One) from the Turkish Navy for a period of six months. Ceremony for the transfer of the command was held at the HMS Cornwall in UAE.

Combined Task Force 151 is an international task force which was established by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) at the start of last year conduct and oversee the anti piracy and anti terror operations in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin. Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) assigned to the Combined Task Force 151 by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is in the Gulf of Aden, Horn of Africa and Somali Basin which means that CTF 151 has to petrol and area of about 2 million sq kilometers of sea.

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) have naval ship, helicopters and maritime petrol aircrafts at its disposal from over 20 participating nations to make sure that all the trading through its area of responsibility goes smoothly without the interference from the pirates and terrorists.

US Attempted to Remove Enriched Uranium from Pakistan: Wiki-Leak

Documents released by the “Wiki-Leaks” have reveled new secrete about the US efforts to control the nuclear material in Pakistan. These documents show that United States of America had tried to remove the enriched uranium from the Pakistan Atomic Research Reactor-1.

Officials from the US tried to the excuse that militants in might be able to secure the nuclear weapons material from Pakistan or this enriched uranium might be used in the manufacturing of illicit nuclear weapons but they failed to mention the fact that in its whole history Pakistan has never lost or diverted nuclear resources provided to it for the use as civilian atomic power plants. On the other hand our neighboring country India has long history of using atomic reactor provided to them for electricity generation under energy for peace agreements to manufacture materials or their nuclear weapons.

Pakistan Atomic Research Reactor-I is an American supplied research reactor which became fully operation in June, 1966. PARR-I was designed to use approximately 93% Enriched Uranium in with reactor’s power level was rated at 5MW. PARR-1 went critical in December 1965. In October 1991, PARR-1 was upgraded to utilize the 20% Enriched Uranium by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Pakistan Atomic Research Reactor-1 has also been upgraded to attain the higher power level of 10 MW. Upgraded PARR-1 was able to reach this higher power level on May7, 1992.

French Rafale M Fighter Jet Crashes in Sea Near Pakistan

Rafale M fighter jet belonging to the French navy has crashed in sea near Pakistan. Rafale M fighter jet took off from the sole French nuclear powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. This aircraft carrier is deployed in the Arabian Sea in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

So far not many details are available about the yesterday’s crash. Pilot of the aircraft is safe and was rescued soon after the incident.

In September this year it was reported that the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will be deployed later this year to support the war in Afghanistan for two months. Aircraft carrier spent about three weeks in transit to Pakistan from France and started its operations in support of the International Security Assistance Force since Friday, November 26.

In a mid air collision two Rafale M fighter jets were destroyed in September last year. This is the third crash of the Rafale fighter jet and was the first crash while on combat duty. So far French Navy has ordered 60 Rafale M out of which 31 has been delivered and 3 have been destroyed in crashes.

Pakistan Air Force's Female Pilots Part of Display Team in China

Picture of the Pakistan Air Force’s Sherdil aerobatics display team performing in air show in China.

Short Interview of Pakistan Air Force’s two female pilots to a Chinese Channel. These female pilots were part of the Sherdil aerobatics display team which performed in an air show in China.

Female Pilots Part of Sherdil Aerobatics Display Team in China

Force Behind the Success of JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet in Zhuhai Air Show 2010 Part-II

Force Behind the Success of JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet in Zhuhai Air Show 2010 Part-I

Pictures of Pakistan Air Force’s team supported the deployment of the three JF-17 Thunder fighter aircrafts from the No. 26 Squadron 'Black Spiders' to participate in Zhuhai Air Show 2010. JF-17 Thunder is jointly developed by the Pakistan aeronautical complex and Chengdu Aircraft from China..

JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets from No. 26 Squadron 'Black Spiders' in Zhuhai Air Show 2010

Pakistan air force has sent three JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from the No. 26 Squadron 'Black Spiders' to participate in Zhuhai Air Show 2010. JF-17 Thunder is jointly developed by the Pakistan aeronautical complex and Chengdu Aircraft from China to replace the jets to replace very old aircrafts like Nanchang A-5, Chengdu F-7P / PG and Dassault Mirage III / V fighter aircraft in Pakistan air force.

Pakistan air force is looking to purchase around 250 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to replace its old inventory. JF-17 is jointly developed and produced by Pakistan and China. Both countries are offering JF-17 Thunder to the countries which are looking to replace their old fighter jets with inexpensive modern fighter jets.

USA Should Help Pakistan by building Its Mobility Capability: Colin Powell

Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that United States should provide Pakistan with equipment for intelligence gathering so that Pakistan can effectively perform against the terrorist in the FATA region. He also said that FATA is the most difficult terrain to travel through and currently Pakistan army is facing huge mobility capability gap that needs to be addressed.

Currently Pakistan army uses the soft skin civilian vehicles which are targeted by the terrorists during the movements. Terrorists take advantage of the situation and ambush these soft skin vehicles which can’t protect the army personal inside. In past, such attacks have resulted in huge causalities on the security forces.

Pakistan army needs all-terrain vehicle offers high mobility and high protection Troop Carriers to launch and petrol in the hostile region of FATA. USA and NATO is using the Mine Protected Vehicles (MPV) in the Afghanistan and Iraq to protect its troop from the IED attacks and ambushes by the militants

Female Pilots Part of Sherdil Aerobatics Display Team in China

Pakistan Air Force has sent two female pilots as part of Sherdil aerobatics display team to China. This of Sherdil aerobatics display team belongs to the Pakistan Air Force Academy.

Six More F-16 C/D Block 52+ Fighter Jets to Arrive from USA

Pakistan Air Force will get six F-16 C/D Block 52+ fighter jets from United States today. This will bring the total number of F-16 C/D Block 52+ fighter jets with Pakistan Air Force to 12. Remaining six F-16 C/D Block 52+ will arrive in Pakistan next month. Pakistani government have taken up the option of another 18 F-16 C/D Block 52+ which will bring the total number of F-16 C/D Block 52+ fighter jets in PAF to 36.

These aircrafts are equipped with the AIM-120 C-5 AMRAAM beyond the visual range missiles to deal with the threats beyond the range of short range missiles. This makes F-16 C/D Block 52+ first air craft in Pakistani service that is equipped with such capability. By the end of 2010, JF-17 Thunders with SD-10A BVRAAM will join the F-16 C/D Block 52+ fighter jets to provide airdefense with long range BVRAAMs.

AIM-120 AMRAAM is the most advance western missile in its category which was designed as an all-weather, active radar-guided missile to destroy the threats beyond the line of sight. Fist version of AIM-120 was designated AIM-120A and an improved version was developed from 1989 called AIM-120B. AIM-120 C was developed with a reduced wing and fin span to fit inside the internal weapons carriage on the F-22 Raptor stealth aircraft.

Pakistan Air Force to Purchase SD-10A BVRAAM for JF-17 fighter jets

Pakistan Air Force has confirmed that it will purchase SD-10A beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) to equip its planned force of over 250 JF-17 fighter jets. This has been stated by the Rao Qamar Suleman, air chief marshal of the Pakistan Air Force.

Chinese SD-10A BVRAAM were displayed alongside two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) JF-17 Thunder fighters at the Farnborough Air Show 2010. Model of JF-17 Thunder was displayed at the Farnborough Air Show 2010 with six air-to-air missiles incorporated in its wings four of which were SD-10A BVRAAMs.

Chinese SD-10A/PL-12 is an active-radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile which is already operational with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). So far Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-8F, Shenyang J-11 have been seen using this BVRAAMs and missile will be integrated with the JF-17 Thunder by the end of 2010.

Pakistan Air Force to Purchase 4 Chinese SAM Systems

In an interview with the Global Times newspaper, Rao Qamar Suleman, air chief marshal of the Pakistan Air Force has confirmed the rumors that Pakistan Air Force will purchase up to four Chinese Surface-to-Air Missiles to meet its airdefence needs.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Suleman has said that Pakistan air force is evaluating, different Chinese surface-to-air missiles for the purchase of 3 to 4 SAM systems. One of the systems under evaluation is "HQ-18"surface-to-air missile system.

As per Jane's Defence weekly Hong Qi-18 (HQ-18) surface to air missile system is Chinese version based on the S-300 that is also known as SA-12A "Gladiator". HQ-18 system has a range of 100 km and it can be used against short-range ballistic and cruise missiles as well as against aircraft.

Another surface to air missile that may be under consideration is China's indigenously developed HQ-12 / KS-1A SAM. These  surface-to-air missiles are available with two engagement radars H-200 phased array radar and SJ-231 phased array radar.

Kickbacks were Involved in Defense Deals with Pakistan :Former Defense Minister of France

Former Defense Minister of France Charles Millon has said that kickbacks were involved in the defense sales to the Pakistan. He said that after looking at the reports and analysis of the ministry of defense he is sure that there were kickbacks involved in the defense deals with Pakistan. He was speaking in front of the judge that is investigating the killings of 11 French engineers in the bombing in Pakistan.

PAF's JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet at Zhuhai Airshow 2010

Pakistan air force has sent its newly developed aircraft JF-17 Thunder to the Zhuhai Airshow 2010. This is the first time aircraft will be performing in front of the international audience. JF-17 Thunder is jointly developed by the Pakistan and China to meet the requirements of Pakistan air force.

JF-17 Thunder will be able to carry SD-10A BVRAAM and different WVRAAMs to defend the friendly skies from any intruders and different kind of standoff precision guided weapons for ground attack and C-802A antiship missiles with range of 180km for maritime attack.

US Putting Pressure on Pakistan to Sign the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty

United States of America is putting pressure on the Pakistan to sign the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). USA along with other western countries are trying to change Pakistan’s stance on the treaty that will ban it from producing the highly enriched uranium and plutonium to manufacture the nuclear weapons.

Pakistan which is estimated to have over 100 nuclear weapons along with the different types of long range ballistic and cruise missiles. Pakistan have conducted its six nuclear tests in May 1998 after indan nuclear tests. Yields of these tests were 12kt, 30 to 35kt while other four were sub-kt tests.

It is estimated that with data from these tests Pakistan can developed operational low weight compact nuclear warheads in range of 25kt to 150kt for its missiles and 300–500kt heavy large-size nuclear warheads for its fighter aircrafts and Shaheen-II missiles. Pakistan is also working on the MIRV for its missiles to counter the Indian anti ballistic missile system.

China Rolls out First of Four ZDK03 AEW&C Aircrafts 'Karakoram Eagle' for Pakistan Air Force

First of four Pak-Chinese ZDK-03 Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) Karakoram Eagle for the Pakistan Air Force was displayed in a rollout ceremony was held at Hanzhong in China. Pakistan Air Force’s chief Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman was the guest of honor for this ceremony at this ceremony. It was also attended by the Commander of the PLA Air Force and other military and civil officials from the China.

Pakistan Air Force signed an agreement for the joint development of four ZDK-03 AEW&C aircraft Karakoram Eagle which were to be configured to meet Pakistan's specifications in 2008 with China Electronics Technology Group Corporation.

The ZDK-03 AEW&C is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Pakistani airforce. It has very advance AESA radar along with other sensors and communications equipment. This arrangement is similar to the one being used by the E-2C/D Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning Aircraft used by the USN.

This arrangement will allow ZDK-03 AEW&C Karakoram Eagle to provide 360º radar coverage. Air Chief Marshal Suleman has said that this event as "another milestone in the exemplary history of cooperation between Pakistan and China”. This AEW&C aircraft will strengthen the PAF's capabilities to maintain "peace with honour in the region".