View source for Pakistan Air Force

{{Short description|Aerial service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Pakistan Air Force
| native_name = {{ubl|{{lang|ur| پاک فِضائیہ{{lrm}},}}|{{transliteration|ur|Pāk Fìzāʾiyah}}}}
| image = File:Pakistan Air Force Logo (Official).png
| image_size = 160
| caption = [[Badge of the Royal Air Force#Related badges|Badge of the Pakistan Air Force]]
| start_date = {{start date and age|1947|08|14|df=yes}}
| country = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| branch = 
| type = [[Air force]]
| role = [[Aerial warfare]]<ref name="AuthorHouse, Barvarz, 2012">{{cite book |last1=Barvarz |first1=Fartash |title=Islamic Atomic Bomb |date=2012 |publisher=AuthorHouse |location=Bloomington, Indiana, U.S. |isbn=9781426923661 |pages=116 |edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EO1RVGGL9jEC |access-date=10 February 2019 |language=en-us |format=google books |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213443/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Islamic_Atomic_Bomb_Cookbook/EO1RVGGL9jEC?hl=en&gbpv=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| size = {{ubl|70,000 [[active duty|total active personnel]]<ref name="IISS">{{Cite book |work=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |p=303 |date=February 2024 |isbn=9781032780047 |location=[[London]] |ref=IISS2024}}</ref>|8,000 [[Military reserve force|reserve]]<ref name=":0A">{{Cite book |work=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |date=February 2024 |isbn=9781032780047 |location=[[London]] |ref=IISS2024}}</ref>}}
| command_structure = [[Pakistan Armed Forces]]
| garrison = [[Air Headquarters (Pakistan Air Force)|Air Headquarters (AHQ)]], [[Sectors of Islamabad#E-sectors|Sector E-9]], [[Islamabad]]
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname = 
| patron = 
| motto = {{ubl|{{langx|ur|قوم کا سرمایہ افتخار}}|"A symbol of pride for the nation" (''[[Inter-Services Public Relations|ISPR]] official'')<ref>[http://paf.gov.pk/#/ "Pakistan Air Force – A Symbol of Pride for the Nation."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604052359/http://paf.gov.pk/#/ |date=4 June 2020 }} ''Pakistan Air Force'', 17 May 2020, Retrieved: 17 May 2020.</ref>|{{langx|fa|صحراست که دریاست ته بال و پر ماست}}|"Be it deserts or seas; all lie under our wings" (traditional)}}
| colours = {{legend2|#7cc2e9|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}{{legend2|#002654|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| colours_label = 
| march = 
| mascot = 
| anniversaries = [[Air Force Day (Pakistan)|Air Force Day]]: 7 September
| equipment = 
| equipment_label = 
| battles = {{collapsible list
 | titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 | title = Major conflicts and wartime operations
|'''[[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|Indo-Pakistani Wars and Conflicts]]'''
*{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948|Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–49]]}}
*{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]}}
**{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani Air War of 1965]]}}
*{{small|[[Bangladesh Liberation War|Bangladesh Independence War]]}}
**{{small|[[East Pakistan Air Operations, 1971|East Pakistan Air Operations]]}}
**{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]}}
*{{small|[[Kargil War|1999 Kargil War]]}}
*{{small|[[2001–02 India–Pakistan standoff]]}}
*{{small|[[2008 Indo-Pakistani standoff|2008 India–Pakistan standoff]]}}
*{{Small|[[2019 India–Pakistan standoff]]}}
*{{Small|[[2025 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
'''[[Arab Cold War]]'''
*{{small|[[Al-Wadiah War]]}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/698685/a-hostile-middle-east/ | title=A Hostile Middle East | date=7 December 2020 | access-date=3 July 2022 | archive-date=3 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703102513/https://dailytimes.com.pk/698685/a-hostile-middle-east/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://nation.com.pk/2020/08/12/saudi-pak-relations-are-unique/ | title=Saudi-Pak relations are unique | access-date=3 July 2022 | archive-date=3 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703104555/https://nation.com.pk/2020/08/12/saudi-pak-relations-are-unique/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
'''[[List of modern conflicts in the Middle East|Conflicts in the Middle East]]'''
*{{small|[[Six-Day War|1967 Arab-Israeli War]]}}
*{{small|[[Yom Kippur War|1973 Arab-Israeli War]]}}
*{{small|[[Gulf War]]}}
*{{small|[[Pakistan Armed Forces deployments in Saudi Arabia]]}}
'''[[Afghanistan–Pakistan border conflicts|Durand Line Conflict]]'''
*{{small|[[Afghanistan–Pakistan border conflicts]]}}
*{{small|[[Waziristan rebellion of 1948-1954]]}}
*{{small|[[1949 Mughalgai raid]]}}
*{{small|[[Bajaur Campaign]]}}
*{{small|[[2022 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan]]}}s
*{{small|[[Pakistan–Afghanistan clashes (2024–present)]]}}
**{{small| [[2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan]]}}
**{{small|[[2025 Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict]]}}
'''[[War in Afghanistan (1978–present)|Afghan Conflict]]'''
*{{small|[[Soviet–Afghan War]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Cyclone]]}}
**{{small|[[Second Battle of Zhawar]]}}
*{{small|[[Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)|First Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)]]}}
*{{small|[[Afghan Civil War (1992–1996)|Second Afghan Civil War (1992–1996)]]}}
*{{small|[[Afghan Civil War (1996–2001)|Third Afghan Civil War (1996–2001)]]}}
*{{small|[[NATO logistics in the Afghan War|NATO logistics operations War in Afghanistan]]}}
*{{small|[[Republican insurgency in Afghanistan]]}}
'''[[Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|War in North-West Pakistan]]'''
**{{small|[[Battle of Wana]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation al-Mizan]]}}
**{{small|[[Battle of Mir Ali]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Rah-e-Haq]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Zalzala]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Sirat-e-Mustaqeem]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Sherdil]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Black Thunderstorm]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Rah-e-Rast]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Rah-e-Nijat]]}}
**{{small|[[2009 Khyber Pass offensive]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Janbaz]]}}
**{{small|[[Mohmand offensive]]}}
**{{small|[[Orakzai and Kurram offensive]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Koh-e-Sufaid]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Rah-e-Shahadat]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Khyber]]}}
**{{small|[[January 2014 FATA airstrikes]]}}
**{{small|[[May 2014 Waziristan airstrikes]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Zarb-e-Azb]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Azm-e-Istehkam]]}}
***{{small|[[Operation Sarbakaf]]}}
'''[[War on Terror|U.S. led War on Terror]]'''
*{{small|[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]}}
**{{small|[[NATO logistics in the Afghan War]]}}
**{{small|[[2020-2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan]]}}
**{{small|[[Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2011–2016)|2011-2016 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan]]}}
'''[[Iran–Pakistan border skirmishes]]'''
*{{small|[[2024 Iran–Pakistan conflict]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar]]}}
'''[[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]'''
*{{small|[[Pakistan's military assistance to Sri Lanka|Military assistance to Sri Lanka]]}}
'''[[United Nations peacekeeping missions involving Pakistan|United Nations Missions]]'''
*{{small|[[United Nations Protection Force|UN Protection Force]]}}
**{{small|[[Yugoslav Wars]]}}
***{{small|[[Bosnian War]]}}
*{{small|[[Unified Task Force]]}}
**{{small|[[Somali Civil War]]}}
*{{small|[[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 Indian Ocean relief operations]]}}
*{{small|[[United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti|UNSM – Haiti]]}}
*{{small|[[Operation Madad (Pakistan Navy)|Operation Madadt (supplementary role)]]}}
'''[[Terrorism in Pakistan|Internal Conflicts]]'''
*{{small|[[Insurgency in Balochistan|Insurgency in Balochistan (1948–present)]]}}
**{{small|[[Second Balochistan conflict]]}}
**{{small|[[Third Balochistan conflict]]}}
**{{small|[[Fourth Balochistan conflict]]}}
**{{small|[[Insurgency in Balochistan|Fifth Balochistan conflict]]}}
*{{small|[[Sectarian violence in Pakistan|Sectarian conflicts in Pakistan]]}}
*{{small|[[Dir campaign]]}}
*{{small|[[1976 Dir rebellion]]}}
'''Miscellaneous Conflicts'''
*{{small|[[Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|Nagorno−Karabakh conflict (alleged)]]}}
}}
| decorations = 
| battle_honours = Major Engagements
| battle_honours_label = 
| flying_hours = 
| website = {{URL|https://paf.gov.pk}}
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1 = [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Asif Ali Zardari]]
| commander1_label = [[Commander-in-chief#Pakistan|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2 = [[General (Pakistan)|General]] [[Sahir Shamshad Mirza]]
| commander2_label = [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
| commander3 = [[Air chief marshal (Pakistan)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Zaheer Ahmad Babar]]
| commander3_label = [[Chief of the Air Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the Air Staff]]
| commander4 = [[Air marshal (Pakistan)|Air Marshal]] [[Muhammad Zahid Mahmood]]
| commander4_label = [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (Pakistan)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]]
| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol = [[File:Roundel of Pakistan.svg|80px]] [[File:Roundel of Pakistan – Low Visibility.svg|80px]]
| identification_symbol_label = [[Roundel]]
| identification_symbol_2 = [[File:Flag of Pakistan.svg|80px|border]] [[File:Fin Flash of Pakistan – Low Visibility.svg|80px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Fin flash]]
| identification_symbol_3 = [[File:Air Force Ensign of Pakistan.svg|150px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = [[Royal Air Force Ensign#Related ensigns|Flag]]
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack = [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5]], [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]], [[NESCOM Burraq|Burraq UCAV]],
[[CASC Rainbow|CH-4 UCAV]], [[CAIG Wing Loong II|Wing Loong II UCAV]], [[Baykar Bayraktar Akıncı|Akıncı UCAV]], [[Bayraktar TB2|TB2 UCAV]]
| aircraft_bomber = 
| aircraft_electronic = [[Erieye|SAAB-2000 Erieye (AWACS)]], [[Shaanxi Y-8#Variants|ZDK-03 (AWACS)]], [[Dassault Falcon 20|Falcon DA-20 (EW)]], [[KJ-500]]
| aircraft_fighter = [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants|F-16A/B/AM/BM/C/D]], [[PAC/CAC JF-17 Thunder|JF-17A/B/C]],
[[Chengdu J-10|Chengdu J-10C]]
| aircraft_helicopter = [[AgustaWestland AW139|AW139]], [[Mil Mi-17|Mi-171]]
| aircraft_helicopter_attack = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = 
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility = 
| aircraft_interceptor = [[Chengdu J-7|F-7PG]]
| aircraft_patrol = 
| aircraft_recon = [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage IIIRP]], [[SATUMA Jasoos|Jasoos&nbsp;I UAV]], [[SATUMA Jasoos|Jasoos&nbsp;II&nbsp;Bravo+ UAV]], [[GIDS Shahpar|Shahpar UAV]], [[Selex ES Falco]]
| aircraft_trainer = [[PAC MFI-17 Mushshak|MFI-17 Mushshak]], [[MFI-395 Super Mushshak]], [[T-37 Tweet|T-37]], [[Hongdu JL-8|K-8P]], [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants|F-16B/D]], [[PAC/CAC JF-17 Thunder|JF-17B]]
| aircraft_transport = [[C-130 Hercules|C-130B/E/L-100]], [[Gulfstream IV]], [[Embraer Phenom 100|Phenom 100]], [[Saab 2000]], [[Harbin Y-12]]
| aircraft_tanker = [[Ilyushin Il-78]]
| aircraft_general = 
}}

The '''Pakistan Air Force''' ('''PAF''') ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|پاک فِضائیہ}}|translit=Pāk Fìzāʾiyah}}; {{IPA|ur|pɑːk fɪzɑːɪjəɦ|pron}}){{#tag:ref|Pāk is a term commonly used in South Asia (as well as outside of it) to refer to the country of Pakistan or anything related to it. In terms of pronouncing the words for the Pakistan Air Force in Urdu, the full form—Pākistān—would be used, with the respective spelling in Urdu being: <nowiki>''</nowiki>پاکستان ہوائی فوج<nowiki>''</nowiki>|group="Note"}} 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|2024|}}, per the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], the PAF has more than 70,000 [[Active duty|active-duty]] personnel.<ref name="IISS" /> 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 [[Independence of Pakistan|1947]], the PAF has been involved in [[History of the Pakistan Air Force|various combat operations]], providing aerial support to the operations and relief efforts of the Pakistani military.<ref name="AIr Force ISPR">{{cite web|last1=PAF|title=History of PAF|url=http://www.paf.gov.pk/history.html|publisher=AIr Force ISPR|access-date=28 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215075643/http://www.paf.gov.pk/history.html|archive-date=15 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 (Pakistan)|Chief of the Air Staff]] (CAS), by statute a [[Four-star rank|four-star]] [[air officer]], is appointed by the president with the consultation and confirmation needed from the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister of Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Article 243|url=http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html|access-date=18 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205071402/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html|archive-date=5 February 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of the Pakistan Air Force}}

===1947–1950: Formative years===
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2024}}
The Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF) was established on 15 August 1947 with the independence of Pakistan from British India. The RPAF began with a paper share allotment of 2,332 personnel, a fleet of 24 [[Hawker Tempest|Tempest II]] fighter-bombers, 16 [[Hawker Typhoon]] fighters, two [[Handley Page Halifax|H.P.57 Halifax]] bombers, two [[Auster Aircraft|Auster]] aircraft, twelve [[T-6 Texan|North American Harvard]] trainers and ten [[de Havilland Tiger Moth]] [[biplanes]]. Very few were available to the RPAF on the ground as they were scattered throughout the British India to be given and collected later on. Of these very few were in flyable condition so that they could be used. Subsequently, it also got eight [[C-47 Dakota]] cargo planes which it used to transport supplies to soldiers fighting in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|1947 War]] in [[Kashmir]] against India. First two [[Handley Page Halifax|H.P.57 Halifax]] bombers were delivered in 1948 and were used during [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|1947 War]] for night-time supply drop missions at [[Skardu]] and other northern areas of Pakistan. All received against allotted at the time of independence of Pakistan from British India. It started with seven airbases scattered all over the provinces.

===1948–1954: Waziristan rebellion ===
{{Main|Waziristan rebellion (1948-1954)|1949 Mughalgai raid}}
After the [[Partition of India|partition of British India]], [[Faqir of Ipi]], a Pashtun separatist leader rejected the creation of the newly created Pakistan.

In 1948, the [[Faqir of Ipi]] took control of [[North Waziristan]]'s [[Datta Khel Subdivision|Datta Khel]] area and declared the establishment of an independent [[Pashtunistan]], with support from neighbouring [[Kingdom of Afghanistan]].

In response to the Faqir's rebellion, Pakistan Air Force in June 1949 inadvertently [[1949 Mughalgai raid|bombed]] the Afghan village of Mughalgai on the [[Waziristan]] border with Afghanistan while chasing the [[Pashtunistan]] separatists who had attacked Pakistani border posts from Afghanistan, this attack came to known as [[1949 Mughalgai raid|Mughalgai raid]] which left 23 separatists dead and further fuelled Afghan support for Pashtunistan. Faqir established [[Gurwek]] as headquarters for his activities. Faqir also established a rifle factory in Gurwek with the material support provided by the government of [[Afghanistan]].

In 1953–1954, the PAF's [[No. 14 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 14 Squadron]] led an operation from [[Miranshah|Miranshah airbase]] and heavily bombarded the [[Faqir of Ipi]]'s compound in [[Gurwek]] which ultimately forced Faqir to detach from an armed campaign against Pakistan.

===1959 Indian aerial intrusion===
{{main|1959 Canberra shootdown}}
On 10 April 1959, on the occasion of the [[Eid al-Fitr|Eid ul-Fitr]] festival holiday in [[Pakistan]], an [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) [[English Electric Canberra]] B(I)58 of No. 106 Squadron entered Pakistani airspace on a [[Aerial reconnaissance|photo reconnaissance]] mission. Two PAF [[North American F-86 Sabre|F-86F Sabres]] ([[Flight lieutenant|Flt. Lt.]] M. N. Butt (leader) and Flt. Lt. M. Yunis) of No. 15 Squadron on Air Defence Alert (ADA) were scrambled from [[PAF Base Peshawar]] to intercept the IAF aircraft. Butt attempted to bring down the Canberra by firing his Sabre's machine guns, but the Canberra was flying at an altitude of more than 50,000 feet—beyond the operational ceiling of the F-86F. When Yunis took over from his leader, the Canberra suddenly lost height while executing a turn over [[Rawalpindi]]. Yunis fired a burst that struck the Canberra at an altitude of 47,500 feet and brought it down over [[Rawat, Islamabad|Rawat]], marking the first direct aerial victory of the PAF. Both crew members of the IAF Canberra ejected and were captured by Pakistani authorities. They were subsequently released after remaining in detention for some time.<ref>''History of the Pakistan Air Force 1947–1982'', Pakistan Air Force Book Club, 1982 {{page needed|date=October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41392273| title=The Canberra Incident| first1=Horizon| last1=Pakistan| date=June 1959| journal=Pakistan Horizon | volume=12| issue=2| pages=153–160| jstor=41392273| access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="etribune">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribune.com.pk/story/2318763/remembering-the-sacrifices-of-our-martyrs%3famp=1|title=Remembering the sacrifices of our martyrs|date=5 September 2021|website=[[The Express Tribune]]}}</ref>

===1960–1961 Bajaur Campaign===
{{main|Bajaur Campaign}}
Between 1960 and 1961, [[Royal Afghan Army]] troops along with thousands of Pashtun tribesmen from Afghanistan crossed the extremely porous Pakistan–Afghanistan border and entered the semi-autonomous Bajaur Agency of Pakistan in an effort to annex the region.

The Pakistan Air Force sent [[North American F-86 Sabre|F-86 Sabre jets]] in order to support the [[Pakistani Military|Pakistani forces]] and local Pashtun tribesmen of Pakistan who were fighting the Afghan infiltrators. The F-86 Sabre jets also executed bombing runs on [[Royal Afghan Army]] positions in [[Kunar Province|Kunar]], Afghanistan, thus leading Afghan forces to fall back to the [[Durand Line|international border]]. Although the [[Royal Afghan Air Force]] had seven [[MiG-17]] squadrons and another [[MiG-21]] squadron being operationalized, no known dogfight has been recorded between the two sides.

===Indo-Pakistani War of 1965===
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965}}
The PAF fleet at the time consisted of 12 [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter|F-104 Starfighters]], some 120 F-86 Sabres and around 20 [[Martin B-57 Canberra|B-57 Canberra bombers]].<ref name="Pakistan's Air Power, by John Fricker (page 89)">{{citation |first=John |last=Fricker |title=Pakistan's Air Power |work=[[Flight International]] |year=1969 |page=89 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969%20-%200111.html?search=Pakistan%20Mirage%205 |access-date=21 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114183912/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969%20-%200111.html?search=Pakistan%20Mirage%205 |archive-date=14 January 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The PAF claims to have had complete [[Air supremacy|air superiority]] over the battle area from the second day of operations.<ref name="Pakistan's Air Power, by John Fricker (page 90)">{{citation |first=John |last=Fricker |title=Pakistan's Air Power |work=[[Flight International]] |year=1969 |page=90 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969%20-%200112.html |access-date=21 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112084257/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969%20-%200112.html |archive-date=12 January 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> However, IAF [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Arjan Singh]] claimed that, despite having been qualitatively inferior to the PAF, the IAF allegedly achieved total air superiority in three days.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/1965-war-we-achieved-air-superiority-in-three-days-says-air-force-marshal-arjan-singh_1805797.html |title=1965 war: We achieved air superiority in three days, says Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh |access-date=3 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614221636/http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/1965-war-we-achieved-air-superiority-in-three-days-says-air-force-marshal-arjan-singh_1805797.html |archive-date=14 June 2016 |url-status=live  |date=4 October 2015 }}</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:PAF squadron 1965.png|thumb|right|PAF [[Squadron (aviation)|Squadron]] preparing for Aerial Battle in [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965]]]] -->

Many publications have credited the PAF's successes in combat with the IAF to its [[United States|U.S.]]-quality equipment, claiming it to be superior to the aircraft operated by the IAF and giving the PAF a "qualitative advantage". This statement has been refuted by some officials in Pakistan, who say that the IAF's [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]], [[Hawker Hunter]] and [[Folland Gnat]] aircraft had better performance than the PAF's F-86 fighters, without accounting for the obvious quantitative advantage that the IAF possessed.<ref name="Pakistan's Air Power, Flight International magazine, 5 May 1984 (page 1208)">"Pakistan's Air Power", ''[[Flight International]]'', issue published 5 May 1984 (page 1208). Can be viewed at FlightGlobal.com archives, URL: http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1984/1984%20-%200797.html?search=F-86%20Pakistan {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112205213/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1984/1984%20-%200797.html?search=F-86%20Pakistan |date=12 January 2012 }}. Retrieved 22 October 2009</ref> According to retired PAF Air Commodore [[Sajad Haider]], the F-86 Sabre was inferior in terms of both power and speed to the IAF's [[Hawker Hunter]].<ref name="Pakistan's Air Power, Flight International magazine, 5 May 1984 (page 1208)" /><ref name="the right stuff"/><ref>Werrell, Kenneth (2013). Sabres Over MiG Alley: The F-86 and the Battle for Air Superiority in Korea. Naval Institute Press. p. 188. {{ISBN|9781612513447}}.</ref><ref>Fricker, John. Battle for Pakistan: the air war of 1965. pp. 15–17. before we had completed more than of about 270-degree of the turn, at around 12-degree per second, all four hunters had been shot down ... My fifth victim of this sortie started spewing smoke and then rolled on to his back at about 1000 feet.</ref>

Air Commodore Sajad Haider, who flew with [[No. 19 Squadron PAF|No. 19 squadron]] also stated that the F-104 Starfighter did not deserve its reputation as "the pride of the PAF" because it "was unsuited to the tactical environment of the region. It was a high-level interceptor designed to neutralise [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] strategic bombers in altitudes above 40,000 feet." Nevertheless, the IAF is believed to have feared facing the Starfighter in combat<ref name="the right stuff">{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/editorial/the-right-stuff-499 |title=The right stuff |publisher=Dawn News |date=14 September 2009 |last=Faruqui |first=Ahmad |access-date=8 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329102521/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/editorial/the-right-stuff-499 |archive-date=29 March 2010}}</ref> despite its lack of effectiveness in comparison to the IAF's fleet of [[Folland Gnat]]s.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Chris Smith|author2=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|title=India's Ad Hoc Arsenal: Direction Or Drift in Defence Policy?|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wirzhu5EaqAC&pg=PA85|year=1994|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-829168-8|page=85}}</ref> According to [[India]]n sources, the F-86F performed reasonably well against the IAF's Hunters but not as well against the Gnat, which was nicknamed the ''Sabre Slayer'' by the IAF.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Edward V. Coggins|author2=Ed Coggins|title=Wings That Stay on|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MG5wioBJyK0C&pg=PA164|year=2000|publisher=Turner Publishing Company|isbn=978-1-56311-568-4|page=164|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107081241/https://books.google.com/books?id=MG5wioBJyK0C&pg=PA164|archive-date=7 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Mike Spick|title=The Illustrated Directory of Fighters|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p40nOZgeh84C&pg=PA161|year=2002|publisher=MBI Publishing Company LLC|isbn=978-0-7603-1343-5|page=161|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107081241/https://books.google.com/books?id=p40nOZgeh84C&pg=PA161|archive-date=7 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Pakistan Air Force Cold War Jets cropped.jpg|thumb|Pakistan Air Force's Cold War Fleet of the 1960s heavily used during the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1965|September War]] of 1965. Above is a PAF's 3-ship formation consisting of a Shenyang F-6, Lockheed F-104 & Dassault Mirage-III.]]

Per [[India]], most of the aircraft losses of the IAF were allegedly on the ground while the PAF suffered most of their losses in aerial combat,<ref name="bb">{{cite web |first=B. |last=Harry |title=IAF combat kills – 1965 Indo-Pak Air War |publisher=Order of Battle web site (orbat.com) |date=2 September 2006 |url=http://orbat.com/site/cimh/iaf/IAF_1965war_kills.pdf|access-date=29 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127234125/http://orbat.com/site/cimh/iaf/IAF_1965war_kills.pdf |archive-date=27 November 2010}}</ref> a claim that has widely been accepted by most international sources as "a stretch".<ref name="bb" /> The IAF ran a larger offensive air campaign by devoting 40% of its air effort to [[Offensive (military)|offensive]] air support alone.<ref name="bb" />

The two countries have made contradictory claims of combat losses during the war and few neutral sources have verified the claims of either country, as is the case with most India-Pakistan conflicts. The PAF claims that it shot down 104 IAF aircraft and lost 19 of its own, while the IAF claimed it shot down 73 PAF aircraft while losing 60 of its own.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Books/Review-Airwar65.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105001826/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Books/Review-Airwar65.html|archive-date=5 November 2006 |url-status=dead |title=The India-Pakistan Air War of 1965}}</ref> According to most independent and neutral sources, the PAF lost some 20 aircraft while the IAF lost somewhere between 60 and 75.<ref name="Encyclopedia of the developing world">{{cite book|author=Thomas M. Leonard|title=Encyclopedia of the developing world|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pWRjGZ9H7hYC&pg=PA806|access-date=14 April 2011|year=2006|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-97663-3|page=806|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205202529/https://books.google.com/books?id=pWRjGZ9H7hYC&pg=PA806|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite the intense fighting throughout the course of the war, the conflict was effectively a stalemate and inconclusive in its result.<ref>Coggins 2000, pp. 163–164.</ref>

===Indo-Pakistani War of 1971===
{{Main|Bangladesh Liberation War|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
[[File:Pakistan Air Force B-57s.jpg|thumb|PAF [[B-57 Canberra]] bombers lined up at an airbase]]
By late 1971, the intensification of the independence movement in erstwhile [[East Pakistan]] led to the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]  (later joined by India).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sisson |first1=Richard |last2=Rose |first2=Leo E. |title=War and Secession: Pakistan, India, and the Creation of Bangladesh |page=229 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zYdDnRN8QIoC |edition=revised |year=1991 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-07665-5}}</ref> On 22 November 1971, 10 days before the start of a full-scale war, four PAF F-86 Sabre jets attacked Indian and [[Mukti Bahini]] positions at [[Battle of Garibpur|Garibpur]], near the international border. Two of the four PAF Sabres [[Battle of Boyra|were shot down]] and one damaged by the IAF's Gnats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Sabres.html |title=Boyra Encounter – 22nd November 1971 |author=Jagan Pillarisetti |publisher=Bharat Rakshak |access-date=19 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118130237/http://bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Sabres.html |archive-date=18 November 2011 }}</ref> On 3 December, India formally declared war against Pakistan following massive [[Operation Chengiz Khan|preemptive strikes]] by the PAF against IAF installations in [[Srinagar]], [[Ambala]], [[Sirsa]], [[Halwara]] and [[Jodhpur]]. However, the IAF did not suffer any significant losses because the leadership had anticipated such a move and consequently, precautions were taken.<ref>{{cite journal |date=20 December 1971|title=Newsweek: the international newsmagazine: US edition |journal=Newsweek |page=34 |issn=0028-9604 |quote=Trying to catch the Indian Air Force napping, Yahya Khan, launched a Pakistani version of Israel's 1967 air blitz in hopes that one quick blow would cripple India's far superior air power. But India was alert and Yahya's strategy of scattering his thin air force over a dozen air fields failed!}}</ref> The IAF was quick to respond to Pakistani airstrikes, following which the PAF carried out mostly defensive sorties.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kainikara |first1=Sanu |title=Red Air: Politics in Russian Air Power |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DKSUKwBk5wIC |year=2007 |page=195 |publisher=Universal Publishers |isbn=978-1-58112-983-0}}</ref>

Hostilities officially ended at 14:30 GMT on 17 December, after the fall of [[Dhaka|Dacca]] on 15 December. The PAF flew about 2,840 sorties and destroyed 71 IAF aircraft while losing 43 of its own.<ref name="Encyclopedia of the Developing World, Volume 3">{{cite book|last1=M. Leonard|first1=Thomas|title=Encyclopedia of the Developing World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gc2NAQAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+lost+seventy+five&pg=PA806|access-date=13 July 2015|year=2006|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0415976640|page=806|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213439/https://books.google.com/books?id=gc2NAQAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+lost+seventy+five&pg=PA806|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1979–1989: Soviet–Afghan War===
{{Main|Cold War|Soviet–Afghan War|Air Force Strategic Command (Pakistan)|Spillover of Soviet - Afghan war in Pakistan|Operation Kahuta}}
[[File:Pakistan Air Force F-16D 10806 Falcons (28928474790).jpg|thumb|A Pakistan Air Force [[F-16D]] Falcon]]
In 1979, the PAF's [[Chief of the Air Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the Air Staff]], [[Air Chief Marshal]] [[Anwar Shamim]], was told by then-[[President of Pakistan|President]] and [[Chief of the Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the Army Staff]] [[General officer|General]] [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]], that Pakistan had reliable intelligence on Indian plans to attack and destroy Pakistan's nuclear research facilities in [[Kahuta]]. ACM Shamim told General Zia-ul-Haq that, in the PAF's current state, "Indian aircraft could reach the area in three minutes whereas the PAF would take eight minutes, allowing the Indians to attack the facility and return before the PAF could defend or retaliate". Because Kahuta was close to the Indian border, a consensus was reached acknowledging that the best way to deter a possible Indian attack would be to procure new advanced fighters and weaponry. These could be used to mount a retaliatory attack on India's nuclear research facilities in [[Trombay]] in the event of an Indian attack on Kahuta. It was decided the most suitable aircraft would be the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]], which the United States eventually agreed to supply after the PAF refused to purchase the [[Northrop F-5|F-5]]. In 1983, when the first batch of F-16s reached Pakistan, ACM Shamim informed Zia of the PAF's increasing capability to effectively respond to an attack on the nuclear research facilities at Kahuta.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/threat-to-destroy-indian-nplant-stopped-attack-on-kahuta-book-850 |title=Threat to destroy Indian N-plant stopped attack on Kahuta |last=Khan |first=Iftikhar A. |date=28 May 2010 |website=Dawn|location=Pakistan |publisher=The Dawn Media Group |access-date=28 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530072007/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/threat-to-destroy-indian-nplant-stopped-attack-on-kahuta-book-850 |archive-date=30 May 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Shamim|first=M. Anwar|author-link=Anwar Shamim|title=Cutting Edge PAF: A Former Air Chief's Reminiscences of a Developing Air Force|year=2010|publisher=Vanguard Books|isbn=978-969-402-540-7 }}</ref>

Due to rising tensions with the Soviet Union due to its [[Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan|invasion of Afghanistan]], Pakistan's [[Inter-Services Intelligence|ISI]] [[Operation Cyclone|systematically coordinated]] with the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]], [[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] and [[Mossad]] to secure American resources and armaments for the [[Mujahideen|Afghan mujahideen]] who were combating the invading [[Soviet Armed Forces|Soviet forces]]. Various reports during this period widely indicated that the PAF had in fact covertly engaged in aerial combat against the [[Soviet Air Forces|Soviet Air Force]] in support of the [[Afghan Air Force]] during the course of the conflict;<ref name="PAF-History">{{cite web|url=http://www.paf.gov.pk/history.html|title=History of PAF|publisher=Pakistan Air Force|access-date=20 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215075643/http://www.paf.gov.pk/history.html|archive-date=15 December 2011}}</ref> one of which belonged to [[Alexander Rutskoy]].<ref name="PAF-History" />

A letter of agreement for up to 28 F-16A and 12 F-16B was signed in December 1981. The contracts, ''Peace Gate I'' and ''Peace Gate II'' were for 6 and 34 Block 15 models respectively, which would be powered by the [[Pratt & Whitney F100|F100-PW-200]] engine. The first ''Peace Gate I'' aircraft was accepted at [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] in October 1982. Two F-16A and four F-16B were subsequently delivered to Pakistan in 1983, with the first F-16 arriving at PAF Base Sargodha (now known as PAF Base Mushaf) on 15 January 1983 flown by [[Squadron leader|Squadron Leader]] Shahid Javed. The 34 remaining aircraft as part of ''Peace Gate II'' were delivered between 1983 and 1987.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article14.html |title=F16 Air Forces&nbsp;– Pakistan |publisher=F-16.net |access-date=8 June 2011 |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>

Between May 1986 and November 1988,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pafwallpapers.com/PAF_afghan_war-1.htm |title=PAF F-16 squadron pilots & crew during Soviet/Afghan War 1979–1988 |access-date=14 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106005100/http://www.pafwallpapers.com/PAF_afghan_war-1.htm |archive-date=6 January 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> the PAF's newly acquired F-16s had shot down at least eight intruding aircraft from [[Democratic Republic of Afghanistan|Afghanistan]]. The first three of these (one [[Su-22]], one probable Su-22, and one [[Antonov An-26|An-26]]) were shot down by two pilots from No. 9 Squadron. Pilots of No. 14 Squadron destroyed the remaining five intruders (two Su-22s, two [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23s]], and one [[Sukhoi Su-25|Su-25]]).<ref>[http://www.pafwallpapers.com/kill_illustrations.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115121441/http://www.pafwallpapers.com/kill_illustrations.htm|date=15 January 2012}}. PAF F-16 air kills illustrations.</ref> Most of these kills were by the [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]], but at least one (a Su-22) was destroyed by cannon fire. Pakistani Flight Lieutenant Khalid Mahmoud is credited with three of these kills.<ref>[http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article14.html F-16 Air Forces – Pakistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723130433/http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article14.html |date=23 July 2009 }}. F-16.net. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/19870731-doubts-crop-up-about-f-16-fighting-falcons-capabilities-after-paf-mishap-799104-1987-07-31 | title=Doubts crop up about F-16 Fighting Falcon's capabilities after PAF mishap | date=31 July 1987 | access-date=2 June 2019 | archive-date=2 June 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602175645/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/19870731-doubts-crop-up-about-f-16-fighting-falcons-capabilities-after-paf-mishap-799104-1987-07-31 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The PAF is believed to have evaluated the [[France|French]] [[Dassault Mirage 2000]] in early 1981 and was planning to evaluate the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]] afterwards.<ref>{{citation |title=Pakistan evaluates fighters |work=[[Air International]] |date=4 April 1981 |page=950 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1981/1981%20-%200924.html?search=Pakistan%20air%20force |access-date=6 May 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112224322/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1981/1981%20-%200924.html?search=Pakistan%20air%20force |archive-date=12 January 2012}}</ref>

===1990–2001: U.S. arms embargo===
{{Main|Pakistan–United States relations}}
{{Pakistan Air Force sidebar}}
After the [[Pressler amendment]] was passed, the United States placed [[Sanctions (law)|sanctions]] and an [[arms embargo]] on Pakistan starting on 6 October 1990 due to the continuance of the country's nuclear weapons research programme. All eleven ''Peace Gate III'' F-16s, along with seven F-16A and ten F-16B of the 60 ''Peace Gate IV'' F-16s, which had been built by the end of 1994 were embargoed and put into storage on U.S. soil.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lippman |first1=Thomas W. |title=U.S. pays Pakistan for F-16s withheld over nuclear issue |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/01/01/us-pays-pakistan-for-f-16s-withheld-over-nuclear-issue/a996312e-fc47-4818-80c8-c428aa14bde7/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=1 January 1999}}</ref>

Desperate for a new high-tech combat aircraft, between late 1990 and 1993 the PAF evaluated the European [[Panavia Tornado]] MRCA (multi-role combat aircraft), and ultimately rejected it. France's Dassault Mirage 2000E and an offer from [[Poland]] for the supply of [[Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29s]] and [[Sukhoi Su-27|Su-27s]] were also considered, but no deal materialized. In 1992, the PAF once again looked towards the French Mirage 2000, reviving a proposal from the early 1980s to procure around 20–40 aircraft, but a sale did not occur because France did not want to sell a fully capable version due to pressure from the United States. In August 1994, the PAF was offered the [[Saab JAS 39 Gripen|Saab JAS-39 Gripen]] by [[Sweden]], but the sale did not occur because 20% of the Gripen's components were sourced from the U.S., which was still maintaining sanctions on Pakistan.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110728044058/http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers2/paper166.htm How China keeps the PAF flying]}}. Southasiaanalysis.org. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref>

In mid-1992, Pakistan was close to signing a contract for the supply of 40 Dassault Mirage 2000s, equipped with Thomson-CSF RDM/7 radars from France, although U.S. sanctions also prevented this deal from finalizing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1992/1992%20-%201317.html?search=Pakistan%20F-7 |title=lockheed &#124; Flight Archive |work=Flightglobal |date=2 June 1992 |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112093656/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1992/1992%20-%201317.html?search=Pakistan%20F-7 |archive-date=12 January 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In mid-1994, it was reported that [[Russia]]n manufacturers [[Sukhoi]] and [[Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG|Mikoyan]] were offering the Su-27 and MiG-29,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%201938.html?search=Pakistan%20F-7 |title=1994 &#124; Flight Archive |work=Flightglobal |date=23 August 1994 |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303191953/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%201938.html?search=Pakistan%20F-7 |archive-date=3 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> but Pakistan was reported to be negotiating for supply of the Mirage 2000–5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202448.html?search=Pakistan%20F-7 |title=McDonnell Douglas Flight Archive |work=Flightglobal |date=18 October 1994 |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114153655/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202448.html?search=Pakistan%20F-7 |archive-date=14 January 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> French and Russian teams visited Pakistan on 27 November 1994 and it was speculated that the interest in Russian aircraft was to pressure France into reducing the price of the Mirage 2000. The stated requirement was for up to 40 aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202857.html?search=Pakistan%20F-7 |title=1994 Flight Archive |work=Flightglobal |date=29 November 1994 |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113052638/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202857.html?search=Pakistan%20F-7 |archive-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2001–2021: War in Afghanistan===
The Pakistan Air Force is believed to have had a primary role in the [[Kunduz airlift|alleged evacuation]] of [[Taliban]] personnel by the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|Pakistani military]] from [[Afghanistan]]. However, Pakistani and American officials have denied any such airlift taking place.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2002/01/28/the-getaway-2 |title=The Getaway |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202170613/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2002/01/28/the-getaway-2 |archive-date=2 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.historycommons.org/context.jsp?item=a1101airlift |title=Context of 'November 14–25, 2001: US Secretly Authorizes Airlift of Pakistani and Taliban Fighters' |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104085920/http://www.historycommons.org/context.jsp?item=a1101airlift#a1101airlift |archive-date=4 November 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===2008 post-Mumbai attacks air alert===
{{Main|2008 Indo-Pakistani standoff}}
After the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], the Pakistan Air Force was put on high alert in anticipation of any potential Indian accusations and offensives. It deployed to all its wartime locations and started routine combat air patrols. The speed and intensity of the deployment and PAF's readiness took the [[Indian Army]] High Command by surprise and later reports suggest that was the main factor to influence the Indians' decision of not going for cross border raids inside Pakistan.<ref name="paktribune.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=208779 |title=Mukherjee denies making phone call to Zardari |publisher=Paktribune.com |access-date=28 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603071040/http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=208779 |archive-date=3 June 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Nelson">{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8401391/WikiLeaks-hoax-phone-call-brought-India-and-Pakistan-to-brink-of-war.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Dean | last=Nelson | title=WikiLeaks: hoax phone call brought India and Pakistan to brink of war | date=23 March 2011 | access-date=2 April 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017163201/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8401391/WikiLeaks-hoax-phone-call-brought-India-and-Pakistan-to-brink-of-war.html | archive-date=17 October 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The PAF was issued a standing order to launch an immediate counter-attack in case of an air attack from India, after a call from the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Indian Foreign Minister]] [[Pranab Mukherjee]] to the [[President of Pakistan|Pakistani President]] [[Asif Ali Zardari]] (the call later turned out to be a hoax).<ref name="paktribune.com" /><ref name="Nelson" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8401391/WikiLeaks-hoax-phone-call-brought-India-and-Pakistan-to-brink-of-war.html|title=WikiLeaks: hoax phone call brought India and Pakistan to brink of war|date=23 March 2011|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106051949/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8401391/WikiLeaks-hoax-phone-call-brought-India-and-Pakistan-to-brink-of-war.html|archive-date=6 January 2016|url-status=live|last1=Nelson|first1=Dean}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-on-full-military-alert-after-hoax-call-1055705.html|title=Pakistan on full military alert after hoax call|author=Patrick Cockburn in Lahore|date=7 December 2008|website=The Independent|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309075626/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-on-full-military-alert-after-hoax-call-1055705.html|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commondreams.org/news/2008/12/07/hoax-phone-call-almost-took-pakistan-war|title=Hoax Phone Call 'Almost Took Pakistan to War'|website=Common Dreams|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100534/http://www.commondreams.org/news/2008/12/07/hoax-phone-call-almost-took-pakistan-war|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2011 U.S. raid in Abbottabad===
{{Main|Death of Osama bin Laden|Pakistan–United States skirmishes}}
An initial investigation report revealed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reported the movement of some half-a-dozen planes near the [[Jalalabad]] [[Durand Line|border]] at 23:00 before [[SEAL Team Six|American helicopters]] entered [[Abbottabad]] to kill [[Osama bin Laden]]. "One aircraft was identified as a US AWACS and the remaining five were recognized as [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18]] jets of the US. These planes flew near the Pakistani border, but did not cross into the airspace of Pakistan,"<ref name="The News: Abbottabad 2011">{{cite news|title=PAF detected US planes near Jalalabad border before OBL operation|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-5856-PAF-detected-US-planes-near-Jalalabad-border-before-OBL-operation|access-date=20 December 2014|work=The News|date=9 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220180355/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-5856-PAF-detected-US-planes-near-Jalalabad-border-before-OBL-operation|archive-date=20 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the detection of an intrusion, PAF jets on air defence alert were scrambled and the PAF immediately took adequate operational measures as per standard operating procedure. The PAF aircraft continued their presence in the [[Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad|Abbottabad area]] until early morning and later returned to their air bases.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/09/11/abbottabad-commission-visits-paf-hq.html |title=Abbottabad commission visits PAF HQ |work=Dawn |location=Pakistan |date=11 September 2011 |access-date=28 November 2012 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213441/https://www.dawn.com/news/658207/abbottabad-commission-visits-paf-hq |url-status=live }}</ref>

However, the operation was conducted with stealthy modified versions of the Black Hawk helicopter which used special technology to avoid detection to entered Pakistani airspace, stayed for three hours to carry out a major operation. PAF jets only arrived at the location 24 minutes after the American helicopters had left. It was one of the most asymmetric capability incidents in PAF history.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=2011-05-05 |title=Osama bin Laden death: photos suggest use of 'stealth' helicopters |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/05/osama-bin-laden-stealth-helicopters |access-date=2025-07-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cenciotti |first=David |date=2011-05-18 |title=The Stealth Chinook involved in the Osama Bin Laden raid and why the Stealth Black Hawk crashed in Abbottabad |url=https://theaviationist.com/2011/05/18/mh-47x/ |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=The Aviationist |language=en-US}}</ref>

===2001–2021: Counter-insurgency operations in North-West Pakistan===
{{Main|War in North-West Pakistan}}
[[File:PAF Mirage III ROSE hits target with two 500 lb bombs at Falcon Air Meet 2010.jpg|thumb|Pakistan Air Force [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]] aircraft drops two 500-pound bombs during Falcon Air Meet 2010 at [[Azraq, Jordan|Azraq]] [[Royal Jordanian Air Force|Royal Jordanian Air Base]] in Azraq, [[Jordan]]]]
The [[Pakistan Army]] faced several problems during its [[Operation Black Thunderstorm|2009 offensive against the Taliban]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|North-West Pakistan]]. Hundreds of thousands of [[Pakistanis]] vacated the area when the offensive was announced and, eventually, over two million had to be accommodated in [[refugee camp]]s. The offensive was to be completed as quickly as possible to allow the refugees to return to their homes but the [[Pakistan Army Aviation Corps|army's fleet attack helicopters]] were insufficient to provide adequate support to infantry on the ground. The PAF was sent into action against the [[Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan|Taliban]] to make up for the lack of helicopter gunships. Because the PAF was trained and equipped to fight a [[Conventional warfare|conventional war]], a new "counter-terrorist doctrine" had to be improvised.<ref name="Airpower in COIN operations, by Ikram Sehgal">{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=233152|title=Airpower in COIN operations|last=Sehgal|first=Ikram|date=8 April 2010| newspaper=The News | publisher=Jang Group | location=Pakistan |access-date=8 April 2010}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

The PAF's ''[[Exercise Saffron Bandit|Saffron Bandit]]'' exercise focused on extensive training of combat personnel to undertake [[Counter-insurgency|COIN]] operations. New equipment was inducted to improve the PAF's joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. A [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130]] transport aircraft was indigenously modified for day/night ISR operations.<ref name="Airpower in COIN operations, by Ikram Sehgal"/><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62S4V620100329 U.S. hopes to give Pakistan drones within a year] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123201046/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62S4V620100329 |date=23 November 2010 }}. Reuters. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref>

Use of laser-guided bombs was increased to 80% of munitions used, as compared to 40% in the previous 1960s [[Bajaur Campaign|Bajaur campaign]]. A small corps of ground spotters were trained and used by the PAF, in addition to Pakistan Army spotters, to identify high-value targets.<ref name="Pakistan Injects Precision into Air War on Taliban">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/world/asia/30pstan.html|title=Pakistan Injects Precision into Air War on Taliban|last=Schmitt|first=Eric|date=29 July 2009|work=Newspaper article|publisher=New York Times (www.nytimes.com)|access-date=8 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818202531/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/world/asia/30pstan.html|archive-date=18 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prior to the Pakistan Army's offensive into [[South Waziristan]], the PAF attacked militant infrastructure with 500&nbsp;lb and 2000&nbsp;lb bombs.<ref name="Pakistan Injects Precision into Air War on Taliban"/>

A number of civilian casualties occurred during PAF airstrikes on 10 April 2010 in the [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas|FATA tribal region]]. According to sources from the Pakistani military, the first bombing was targeted at a gathering of militants in a compound. Locals who had quickly moved onto the scene of the first airstrike to recover the dead and wounded were then killed by a second airstrike. While there is no confirmed death toll, it is widely believed that at least 30 civilian deaths had occurred according to the military approximations, whereas a local official stated that at least 73 locals, including women and children, were killed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8619716.stm|work=BBC News|title=Pakistan admits civilian deaths|date=14 April 2010|access-date=20 May 2010|first=Orla|last=Guerin|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213441/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8619716.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> A six-member committee of tribal elders from the area tasked with finding the exact number of civilian casualties reported that 61 civilians were killed and 21 were wounded. This was not confirmed by [[Government of Pakistan|government]] figures but Pakistan's then-Chief of the Army Staff, General [[Ashfaq Parvez Kayani|Ashfaq Kayani]], gave a public apology on 17 April.<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100417/wl_sthasia_afp/pakistanunrestnorthwestcivilians_20100417094142]{{dead link|date=September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-general-kayani-apologises-over-civilian-deaths-ss-03|title=General Kayani apologises over civilian deaths|date=17 April 2010|website=Dawn.com (online newspaper)|access-date=21 April 2010|location=Pakistan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420131816/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/03-general-kayani-apologises-over-civilian-deaths-ss-03|archive-date=20 April 2010}}</ref> It is reported that [[BBC News]] and several other media correspondences were not allowed to take interviews from the injured.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8617843.stm|work=BBC News|title='Civilians die' in Pakistan raid|date=13 April 2010|access-date=20 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808195639/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8617843.stm|archive-date=8 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2019 Pakistan airstrikes in Jammu and Kashmir===
{{Main|Operation Swift Retort}}

[[File:84606 General Dynamics F-16BM 11(MR) 39W Pakistan Air Force Konya AFB 30.6.22 (52233200683).jpg|thumb|The F-16BM (S. No. 84606) from the [[No. 11 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 11 Squadron "Arrows"]] which shot down one of the Indian jets in 2019]]

Following the [[2019 Pulwama attack|Pulwama attack]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India accused Pakistan of involvement in this incident. In response, India carried out [[2019 Balakot airstrike|airstrikes]] in the vicinity of the town of [[Balakot]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] province,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pakistan-says-indian-fighter-jets-crossed-into-its-territory-and-carried-out-limited-airstrike/2019/02/25/901f3000-3979-11e9-a06c-3ec8ed509d15_story.html|title=India strikes Pakistan in severe escalation of tensions between nuclear rivals|last=Slater|first=Joanna|date=26 February 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=15 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315093125/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pakistan-says-indian-fighter-jets-crossed-into-its-territory-and-carried-out-limited-airstrike/2019/02/25/901f3000-3979-11e9-a06c-3ec8ed509d15_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> several miles inside the province's boundary with [[Azad Kashmir|Pakistan-administered Kashmir]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Islamabad|first1=Michael Safi Mehreen Zahra-Malik in|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/26/pakistan-india-jets-breached-ceasefire-line-kashmir-bomb|title='Get ready for our surprise': Pakistan warns India it will respond to airstrikes|date=27 February 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 April 2020|last2=Srinagar|first2=Azhar Farooq in|issn=0261-3077|quote=Pakistan, ... said the war planes made it up to five miles inside its territory|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331102419/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/26/pakistan-india-jets-breached-ceasefire-line-kashmir-bomb|url-status=live}}</ref> Pakistan's military claimed that the Indian planes dropped their payload in an uninhabited wooded hilltop area near Balakot after being intercepted by PAF fighter jets.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Abi-Habib|first1=Maria|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/25/world/asia/india-pakistan-kashmir-jets.html|title=Indian Jets Strike in Pakistan in Revenge for Kashmir Attack|date=25 February 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=15 April 2020|last2=Ramzy|first2=Austin|issn=0362-4331|quote=A spokesman for Pakistan’s armed forces, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, on Tuesday posted on Twitter four images of a forested area pockmarked with small craters and debris, which he said was the site of Indian airstrikes.|archive-date=27 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227012148/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/25/world/asia/india-pakistan-kashmir-jets.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 February 2019, when a standoff between India and Pakistan had begun, Pakistan claimed to have struck six open spaces near [[Indian Armed Forces|Indian military]] installations inside Indian Controlled Kashmir, in what was codenamed "Operation Swift Retort". <ref name="alj1" />

Indian Air Force jets were scrambled to intercept the PAF jets inside Jammu and Kashmir. Following the interception, a fierce [[dogfight]] ensued and Pakistani aircraft shot down an Indian [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]].<ref name="alj1">{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/pakistan-shoots-indian-fighter-jets-military-190227055937142.html|title=Pakistan shoots down two Indian fighter jets: Military|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228124544/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/pakistan-shoots-indian-fighter-jets-military-190227055937142.html|archive-date=28 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1466347|title=2 Indian aircraft violating Pakistani airspace shot down; pilot arrested|date=27 February 2019|website=Dawn|location=Pakistan|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227094831/https://www.dawn.com/news/1466347|archive-date=27 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ten minutes before the 27 February airstrikes, an IAF [[Mil Mi-17|Mi-17]]  helicopter was shot down by an Indian [[Spyder missile]], having been mistaken for a PAF drone.  This resulted in total loss of the aircraft and death of all on board: two pilots (squadron leaders Siddarth Vashista and Ninad Mandavgane), flight engineer Vishal Kumar Pandey, sergeant Vikrant Sehrawat, and corporals Deepak Pandey and Pankaj Kumars, and one civilian on the ground (Kifayat Hussain Gani).<ref name="mint">{{Cite web |last=Roche |first=Elizabeth |date=2020-01-26 |title=Bravery award for IAF officers killed in chopper crash after friendly fire |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/bravery-award-for-iaf-officers-killed-in-budgam-chopper-crash-after-friendly-fire-11580010044169.html |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Wire: The Wire News India, Latest News, News from India, Politics, External Affairs, Science, Economics, Gender and Culture |url=https://thewire.in/security/iaf-chopper-friendly-fire-criminal-charges |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=thewire.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-24 |title=Probe nails 5 IAF officers for friendly fire that downed chopper killing 6 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/5-air-force-officers-guilty-in-feb-27-friendly-fire-incident/story-Xr5lRX5Ef7VZwM4zYz4nqO.html |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> In April 2023 IAF court martialled Group Captain Sumon Roy Chaudhry, second in command<ref>{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iaf-chopper-crash-tribunal-sees-faults-in-budgam-probe-stays-action-against-officers/articleshow/78113001.cms?from=mdr | title=IAF chopper crash: Tribunal sees 'faults' in Budgam probe, stays action against officers | newspaper=The Economic Times | date=15 September 2020 | last1=Pubby | first1=Manu }}</ref> of [[Srinagar Airport|Srinagar Air Force Station]] at the time of the PAF strikes for negligence, and he was to be dismissed,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Wire: The Wire News India, Latest News, News from India, Politics, External Affairs, Science, Economics, Gender and Culture |url=https://thewire.in/security/iaf-dismisses-group-captain-for-shooting-down-own-helicopter-post-balakot-report |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=thewire.in}}</ref> however the dismissal was ruled ''ultra vires'' by the [[High Court of Punjab and Haryana]], who set a date of 12 September 2023 for their hearing<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/notice-to-centre-iaf-officers-for-pronouncing-group-captains-dismissal-despite-case-pending-in-high-court/articleshow/99828322.cms| date=28 April 2023| title=Notice to Centre & IAF officers for pronouncing Group Captain's dismissal despite case pending in high court| newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>{{update inline|date=May 2024}}  The pilots were posthumously awarded the [[Vayu Sena]] gallantry medal.<ref name="mint" />

India stated that it had only lost a single aircraft (a MiG-21) while claiming to have shot down a Pakistani F-16.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/f16-shot-down-varthamans-mig21-locked-in-pakistans-f16/articleshow/68193757.cms|title=Abhinandan Varthaman's MiG21 locked in Pakistan's F16|last=Pubby|first=Manu|date=28 February 2019|work=The Economic Times|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228130414/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/f16-shot-down-varthamans-mig21-locked-in-pakistans-f16/articleshow/68193757.cms|archive-date=28 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Pakistan rejected India's statement, stating that no F-16s were deployed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/pakistan-says-no-f-16-aircraft-used-dismisses-report-of-their-fighter-jet-crashing/story/322823.html|title=Pakistan says no F-16 aircraft used, dismisses report of their fighter jet crashing|website=businesstoday.in|date=27 February 2019 |access-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227165604/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/pakistan-says-no-f-16-aircraft-used-dismisses-report-of-their-fighter-jet-crashing/story/322823.html|archive-date=27 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> India also accepted loss of its Mi-17 helicopter in a friendly fire terming it as "a big mistake".<ref>{{Cite news | date=2019-10-04 |title=Shooting down of Mi-17 was a big mistake, admits IAF chief |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/shooting-down-our-own-chopper-big-mistake-says-iaf-chief/article29593737.ece |access-date=2024-04-08 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-11 |title=Indian Air Force officer may be dismissed in Mi-17 friendly-fire incident |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/group-captain-faces-dismissal-for-lapses-in-mi-17-friendly-fire-incident-during-balakot-airstrike-says-military-court-iaf-mi17-balakot-friendlyfire-101681218521111.html |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Pakistan would later go on to accept that F-16s had been used, but maintained that none of them were shot down.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/pak-admits-to-using-f-16-day-after-balakot-airstrike-751829|title=Pak admits to using F-16 day after Balakot airstrike|website=Tribuneindia News Service|access-date=22 March 2022|archive-date=22 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322064641/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/pak-admits-to-using-f-16-day-after-balakot-airstrike-751829|url-status=live}}</ref> Pakistan also claimed to have shot down a [[Sukhoi Su-30 MKI]], a claim rejected by Indian authorities. [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] [[Abhinandan Varthaman]], who was piloting the MiG-21 Bison, was captured and arrested by the Pakistani military upon being shot down. He was held for two days before being released at the [[Wagah]]-[[Attari]] border crossing on 1 March.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistan-says-it-has-shot-down-two-indian-jets-in-its-airspace/2019/02/27/054461a2-3a5b-11e9-a2cd-307b06d0257b_story.html |title=Pakistan captures Indian pilot after shooting down aircraft, escalating hostilities |last1=Slater|first1=Joanna |last2=Constable|first2=Pamela|author2-link=Pamela Constable |date=28 February 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=27 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227172333/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistan-says-it-has-shot-down-two-indian-jets-in-its-airspace/2019/02/27/054461a2-3a5b-11e9-a2cd-307b06d0257b_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Initially, Pakistani military officials claimed to have had two pilots in custody, one of whom died while undergoing treatment, a claim which was later changed to having only Abhinandan in custody. This was taken to be evidence of a Pakistani pilot being shot down by some Indian sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/defence/8-pieces-of-clinching-evidence-that-show-how-iafs-abhinandan-shot-down-a-pakistani-f-16/278752/|title=8 pieces of clinching evidence that show how IAF's Abhinandan shot down a Pakistani F-16|website=[[ThePrint]] |date=20 August 2019 }}</ref> A US count of the PAFs F-16 fleet and several international military observers, did not support the Indian claim of shooting down a PAF F-16.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seligman |first=Lara |date=2024-04-11 |title=Did India Shoot Down a Pakistani Jet? U.S. Count Says No. |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/04/04/did-india-shoot-down-a-pakistani-jet-u-s-count-says-no/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref>

===2022 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan===
{{Main|Afghanistan–Pakistan border skirmishes|2022 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan}}

At least 47 people were killed and 22 injured in two airstrikes by Pakistani forces along the border with Afghanistan on 16 April 2022. The Taliban summoned Pakistan's ambassador in Kabul and registered their protest against the military airstrikes inside Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |title='I Lost Everything': Pakistani Airstrikes Escalate Conflict on Afghan Border |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/30/world/asia/pakistan-airstrikes-afghanistan-taliban.html |work=The New York Times |date=30 April 2022 |access-date=2 May 2022 |last1=Goldbaum |first1=Christina |last2=Padshah |first2=Safiullah |last3=Steffensen |first3=Nanna Muus |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501162752/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/30/world/asia/pakistan-airstrikes-afghanistan-taliban.html |url-status=live }}</ref> These airstrikes mark the first known instance of a foreign country launching attack on Afghan soil since the establishment of [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan|Islamic Emirate]] in Afghanistan.<ref name="Pakistan’s Twin Taliban Problem">{{Cite web |title=Pakistan's Twin Taliban Problem |url=https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/05/pakistans-twin-taliban-problem |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504164919/https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/05/pakistans-twin-taliban-problem |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 May 2022 |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=United States Institute of Peace |language=en}}</ref>

===2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Iran===
{{Main|Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar|2024 Iranian missile strikes in Pakistan|2024 Iran-Pakistan border skirmishes}}

At least nine people were killed when Pakistan Air Force conducted retaliatory strikes, codenamed as [[Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar]] on seven targets within Iran's [[Sistan and Baluchestan province]]. The attack came two days after a similar Iranian [[2024 Iranian missile strikes in Pakistan|missile strike inside Pakistani territory]]. According to Iran, nine foreign nationals were killed in the attack. [[Balochistan Liberation Army|Baloch Liberation Army]], one of the group targeted in the strikes, said that the strikes had targeted and killed its people. It was first strike on Iranian soil by any foreign power since the time of end of [[Iran–Iraq War]] in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Usaid |title=Iran says at least nine killed in Pakistani strikes near southeast border |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/18/pakistan-iran-attacks-live-at-least-7-killed-near-irans-southeast-border |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

===March 2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan===
{{Main|2024 Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes}}

On 18 March 2024, in response to the attack from Afghanistan, Pakistan Air Force carried out two intelligence based airstrikes on Afghanistan's eastern border provinces of [[Khost Province|Khost]] and [[Paktika Province|Paktika]]. The Afghan government claim that Pakistan killed five women and three children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-18 |title=Several killed in Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan, says Kabul |url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240318-several-killed-in-pakistani-air-strikes-on-afghanistan-says-kabul |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> Pakistan denies this, claiming that it killed terrorists instead while targeting the [[Hafiz Gul Bahadur]] militant group, a splinter organization of the [[Pakistani Taliban]], and that it had successfully killed Sehra alias Janan, a high-value target (HVT) commander. Another commander, Abdullah Mehsud, was claimed to have been killed, but later released a video refuting the claim.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-07 |title=Taliban Issues Stern Warning To Islamabad Over Air Strikes In Afghanistan |url=https://www.afintl.com/en/202403184470 |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Afghanistan International |language=en}}</ref> It was also reported that Mehsud's house was targeted in which his wife and a minor son was killed. Pakistan went on to blame the Pakistani Taliban and its splinter militias for the deaths of hundreds of Pakistani civilians, and claimed that they used Afghanistan as a base and that they had support from within the Taliban.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Abdullah Momand |author2=Tahir Khan |author3=Javid Hussain |author4=Iftikhar Shirazi |date=2024-03-18 |title=Pakistan carried out intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations in Afghanistan, FO confirms |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1822274 |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=DAWN |language=en}}</ref> These airstrikes mark the second instance of attack by Pakistan on the sovereign soil of Afghanistan in a period less than two years. The first similar Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil came in 2022.<ref name="Pakistan’s Twin Taliban Problem"/>

=== December 2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan ===
{{Main|2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan|2024 Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes}}

On 25 December 2024, the Pakistan Air Force launched precision airstrikes located across seven villages of [[Barmal District]] of [[Afghanistan]] [[Paktika Province|Paktika]] province killing 20-25 terrorists. Afghan Taliban claim that Pakistani strikes had killed 46 people, including women and children, while Pakistan denies this claim and maintains terrorist camps operated by [[Pakistani Taliban|Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan(TTP)]] were gutted.<ref>{{Cite web |author=News Desk |date=2024-12-25 |title=46 dead in Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan border, Taliban reports |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2518181/46-dead-in-pakistans-airstrikes-on-afghan-border-taliban-reports |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref> The villages targeted by PAF included Laman, Margha, and Murg Bazaar and four other villages of [[Barmal District|Barmal district]]. Reports indicate that the Murg Bazaar village in Barmal was completely destroyed. According to Pakistani sources, the Pakistani airstrikes took four High Value Targets (HVTs) that included terrorists camps and hideouts of key commanders of [[Pakistani Taliban|TTP]]. The targets included the compound of senior ranking Commander of [[Pakistani Taliban|TTP]] Sher Zaman alias Mukhlis Yar's hideout, the Commander Abu Hamza's recruitment camp and Akhtar Muhammad alias Khalil's suicide bomber camp. All of these commanders were using camps for recruitment and training young child suicide bombers and terrorists. The fourth target struck by PAF was "Umar Media" cell of TTP, being headed by the TTP's commander Shoaib Iqbal Cheema alias Muneeb Jatt, from where the TTP propagated its digital propaganda to recruit suicide bombers. Afghan Taliban's Defence Ministry and the [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|Afghan Taliban regime]] official spokesperson [[Zabihullah Mujahid|Zabiullah Mujahid]] confirmed reports of the strike carried out by Pakistani forces, but claimed that the dead and injured included a number of children and other civilians. The PAF's strikes mark third instance of Pakistan launching attack on Afghan soil since the [[Fall of Kabul (2021)|fall of Kabul]]. The Pakistan airstrikes coincided the birthday of [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah|Pakistan's founder]] and followed the PAF's [[2022 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan]] and [[2022 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan|2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan]].<ref>{{Cite web | date=2024-12-25 |title=Pakistan strikes TTP camps in Afghanistan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1880832/pakistan-strikes-ttp-camps-in-afghanistan |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rahmati |first=Fidel |date=2024-12-24 |title=Pakistani airstrikes in Paktika kill 15, destroy village |url=https://www.khaama.com/pakistani-airstrikes-in-paktika-kill-15-destroy-village/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |work=Khaama Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | date=2024-12-25 |title=Taliban government says Pakistani airstrikes caused civilian casualty in Afghanistan |url=https://www.connectedtoindia.com/taliban-government-says-pakistani-airstrikes-caused-civilian-casualty-in-afghanistan/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Connected to India News I Singapore l UAE l UK l USA l NRI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-24 |title=Reportedly, Pakistani Strikes Hit TTP Sites in Paktika |url=https://southasiatimes.org/unconfirmed-pakistani-strikes-hit-ttp-sites-in-paktika/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=South Asia Times |language=en}}</ref>

==Structure==
===Headquarters===
*[[Air Headquarters (Pakistan)|Air Headquarters (AHQ)]], [[Islamabad]]

===Commands===
*[[Air Defence Command (Pakistan)|Air Defence Command]] (ADC), [[Rawalpindi]]
*Northern Air Command (NAC), [[Peshawar]]
*[[Central Air Command (Pakistan)|Central Air Command (CAC)]], [[Sargodha]]
*Southern Air Command (SAC), [[Karachi]]
*Western Air Command (WAC), [[Quetta]]
*[[Air Force Strategic Command (Pakistan)|Air Force Strategic Command]] (AFSC), [[Islamabad]]
*PAF Cyber Command (PAFCC), [[Islamabad]]
*PAF Space Command (PAFSC), [[Islamabad]]

===Training establishments===
*[[Pakistan Air Force Academy]], [[Risalpur]]
*[[Combat Commanders' School]] (CCS), Sargodha
*[[PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence]] (PAF ACE), Sargodha
*[[PAF Air War College]], [[Karachi]]
*[[Air University Pakistan|Air University]], [[Islamabad]]

===Weapons production establishments===
*[[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex]] (PAC), [[Kamra, Pakistan|Kamra]].
*[[Air Weapons Complex]] (AWC), [[Wah Cantonment]].
*[[Precision Engineering Complex (Private) Limited]]

===Bases===
{{Main|List of Pakistan Air Force bases}}

The PAF has 27 airbases of which 19 are flying bases and 8 are non-flying bases. Flying bases are operational bases from which aircraft operate during both peacetime and wartime; whereas non-flying bases conduct either training, administration, maintenance, air defence operations, or mission support.<ref name="PAF">[http://www.paf.gov.pk/active_bases.html "PAF Active Bases"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626125429/http://www.paf.gov.pk/active_bases.html |date=26 June 2010 }} ''PAF Official Website''. Retrieved 28 February 2010</ref>
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

====Flying bases====
# [[PAF Base Mushaf]] ([[Sargodha]])
# [[PAF Base Bholari]] ([[Bholari]])  [[Jamshoro District]], [[Sindh]]
# [[PAF Base Masroor]] ([[Karachi]])
# [[PAF Base Rafiqui]] ([[Shorkot]])
# [[PAF Base Peshawar]] (Peshawar)
# [[PAF Base Murid]] ([[Chakwal]])
# [[PAF Base Samungli]] ([[Quetta]])
# [[PAF Base M.M. Alam]] ([[Mianwali]])
# [[PAF Base Minhas]] ([[Kamra, Pakistan|Kamra]])
# [[PAF Base Nur Khan]] (Rawalpindi)
# [[PAF Base Faisal]] (Karachi)
# [[Pakistan Air Force Academy|PAF Base Risalpur (Pakistan Air Force Academy)]] ([[Risalpur]])
# [[PAF Base Shahbaz]] ([[Jacobabad]])
# PAF Base Farid (Rajanpur)
# PAF Base Vehari (Vehari)
# [[PAF Base Qadri]] ([[Skardu, Pakistan|Skardu]])
# PAF Base Sindhri (Mirpur Khas)
# PAF Base Talhar (Badin)
# PAF Base Multan ([[Multan, Pakistan|Multan]])
{{col-2}}

====Non-flying bases====
*[[PAF Base Korangi Creek]] (Karachi)
*[[PAF Base Malir]] (Karachi)
*PAF Base Lower Topa ([[Murree]])
*[[PAF Base Kallar Kahar]] ([[Kallar Kahar]])
*[[PAF Base Kohat]] ([[Kohat]])
*[[PAF Base Lahore]] (Lahore)
*PAF Base Sakesar ([[Sakesar]])
*PAF Base Kalabagh ([[Nathia Gali]])
{{col-end}}

===Squadrons===
{{Main|List of Pakistan Air Force squadrons}}

===Rank structure===
{{Main|Air Force Ranks of Pakistan}}

====Commissioned officer ranks====
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Pakistan}}
|}

====Other ranks====
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Pakistan}}
|}

'''Civilian occupations'''
*Gazetted Officer
*[[Steganography|Steganographer]]
*[[Stenotypist]]
*[[Warehouseman|Warehouse and Factory Personnel]]
*[[Clerk]]

===Special forces===
{{Main|Special Services Wing}}

The Pakistan Air Force's [[Special Services Wing|Special Services Wing (SSW)]] is the branch's elite [[special operations]] fighting force. Originally coming into existence following the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], the SSW is heavily modelled off of the [[United States Air Force]]'s [[List of United States Air Force special tactics squadrons|Special Tactics Squadrons]] with some elements inspired by the [[United States Army Rangers]]. The unit remained active but saw little prioritization by the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|Pakistani military]] until after the [[Kargil War]]. In late 1999, the SSW was largely revived and restructured for active service and is currently fielding around 1,200 troops.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

===Women in the Pakistan Air Force===
{{Main|Women in the Pakistan Armed Forces}}

===Religious minorities in the Pakistan Air Force===
Since its inception, religious minorities have been free to pursue careers within the Pakistan Armed Forces, with the exception of [[Hindus]] until 2001. Following its involvement in the global [[United States|U.S.]]-led [[War on terror|War on Terror]], Pakistan released the Hindu minority in the country from the discriminatory law and granted them the same freedoms that were already present for their [[Christians|Christian]], [[Sikhs|Sikh]] and other various [[Religious Minorities in Pakistan|counterparts]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=The White of the Flag: Contributions of Non-Muslims for National Defense of Pakistan|url=https://cscr.pk/explore/themes/defense-security/white-flag-contributions-non-muslims-national-defense-of-pakistan/|date=6 September 2017|website=Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research|language=en-US|access-date=14 May 2020|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205044400/https://cscr.pk/explore/themes/defense-security/white-flag-contributions-non-muslims-national-defense-of-pakistan/|url-status=live}}</ref> Some notable religious minority figures in the Pakistan Air Force include: Air Vice Marshal [[Eric G. Hall|Eric Gordon Hall]], a Christian who served as the [[Base commander|Base Commander]] of [[PAF Base Nur Khan|Chaklala Air Base]] during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Air Commodore [[Nazir Latif]] and Group Captain [[Cecil Chaudhry]] (both Christians) fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and later helped establish the [[Combat Commanders School]] (CCS). [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]] [[Mervyn Middlecoat|Melvin Leslie Middlecoat]] was the Commanding Officer of No. 9 Squadron during the 1965 war, he and Squadron Leader [[Peter Christy]] fought and were KIA in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. [[Patrick Desmond Callaghan]] was another Christian officer who rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-148852-A-nostalgic-fly-back-into-the-Fall-of-Dhaka-41-years-ago|title=The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News|website=The News International|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018173801/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-148852-A-nostalgic-fly-back-into-the-Fall-of-Dhaka-41-years-ago|archive-date=18 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Wing Commander Ronald Felix has been a notable Christian pilot known for being the first to fly the jointly-built [[China|Chinese]] and Pakistani [[PAC/CAC JF-17 Thunder|JF-17 Thunder]] fighter jet since 2010 and was one of two PAF pilots flying the JF-17 at the [http://www.flying-wings.com/2011/izmir-airshow-turkiye 2011 Izmir Air Show] in [[Turkey]].

In 2020, the Pakistan Air Force recruited Rahul Dev, a Hindu from [[Tharparkar]], [[Sindh]] in a major breakthrough for the [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hindu minority]] from this remote distant area of [[Tharparkar|Sindh]].<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=5 May 2020|title=Know All About Rahul Dev, First Hindu Pilot Appointed In Pakistan Air Force|newspaper=ABP News|url=https://news.abplive.com/news/know-all-about-rahul-dev-first-hindu-pilot-appointed-in-pakistan-air-force-1228769|access-date=17 September 2020|archive-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527192450/https://news.abplive.com/news/know-all-about-rahul-dev-first-hindu-pilot-appointed-in-pakistan-air-force-1228769|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=6 May 2020|title=Rahul Dev: The first Hindu youth to join Pakistan Air Force|newspaper=Devan Herald|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/international/rahul-dev-the-first-hindu-youth-to-join-pakistan-air-force-834236.html|access-date=16 September 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005202023/https://www.deccanherald.com/international/rahul-dev-the-first-hindu-youth-to-join-pakistan-air-force-834236.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was commissioned as a [[Pilot officer|general duty pilot officer]] on 6 May 2020.<ref name="Express Tribune">{{Cite news|date=6 May 2020|title=In a first, minority Hindu young man selected to become GD pilot in PAF|newspaper=The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2215299/1-unprecedented-paf-recruits-first-hindu-gdp?amp=1|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819195430/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2215299/1-unprecedented-paf-recruits-first-hindu-gdp|archive-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>

==Equipment==
{{main|List of equipment of the Pakistan Air Force}}

[[File:J-10CE for Pakistan air force in Zhuhai airshow 2024.jpg|thumb|A [[Chengdu Aircraft Corporation|CAC]] [[Chengdu J-10|J-10 C]]]]
[[File:Pakistan Air Force Chengdu JF-17 Gu.jpg|thumb|right|A PAC JF-17 taking off from [[Zhuhai Jinwan Airport]]]]
[[File:Pakistan Air Force General Dynamics F-16BM Fighting Falcon (altered).jpg|thumb|right|A Pakistani F-16BM in flight]]
[[File:Lockheed L-100 Hercules (L-382B), Pakistan - Air Force AN1084290.jpg|thumb|right|A Lockheed L-100 Hercules departing [[RIAT]] 2006]]
[[File:Ilyushin Il-78 (R11-004).jpg|thumb|right|A Ilyushin Il-78 over [[Pisa International Airport|Pisa International]]]]
[[File:Pakistan airforce K8.jpg|thumb|right|A Pakistani [[Hongdu JL-8]] trainer]]

=== Combat aircraft ===
{{main|List of active Pakistan Air Force aircraft}}

{{See also|List of retired Pakistan Air Force aircraft}}

[[File:Pakistani Chengdu J-7.JPG|thumb|right|PAF [[Chengdu J-7|Chengdu F-7PG]] in flight.]]

* [[Chengdu J-10|Chengdu J-10C]]: The J-10C is a [[multirole combat aircraft]]. The PAF have ordered at least 25 aircraft on 25 June 2021, with the number is expected to rise to at least 36.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donald |first=David |title=First Batch of Chinese J-10 Fighters Delivered to Pakistan |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2022-03-14/first-batch-chinese-j-10-fighters-delivered-pakistan |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Aviation International News |language=en}}</ref> In March 2022, the initial batches of J-10s began to arrive in Pakistan, with at least 12 aircraft in operation in September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-18 |title=Pakistan receives first batch of China's J-10C fighter jets – SAMAA |url=https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/2022/03/pakistan-receives-first-batch-of-chinas-j-10-fighter-jets/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418094226/https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/2022/03/pakistan-receives-first-batch-of-chinas-j-10-fighter-jets/ |archive-date=18 April 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dangwal |first=Ashish |date=2022-09-19 |title='Dragon From The East' – Pakistan Gets 2nd Batch Of 'Rafale Challenger' J-10C Fighters From China – Local Media |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/dragon-from-the-east-pakistan-gets-2nd-batch-j-10c-fighters/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[PAC/CAC JF-17 Thunder]]: A [[multirole combat aircraft]] produced by [[Pakistan]] with [[China|Chinese]] assistance, the JF-17 was developed to replace Pakistan's aging fleets of [[Nanchang Q-5|A-5C]], [[Chengdu J-7|F-7P/PG]], [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]], and [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5]] aircraft. Currently, 149 JF-17s are in active service with the PAF, comprising 47 JF-17A Block 1, 62 JF-17A Block 2, and 25 JF-17B Block 2 variants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/pakistan-air-force-to-receive-final-batch-of-jf-17-block-ii-fighter-jets-in-june/|title=Pakistan Air Force to Receive Final Batch of JF-17 Block II Fighter Jets in June|last=Gady|first=Franz-Stefan|website=thediplomat.com|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201061336/https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/pakistan-air-force-to-receive-final-batch-of-jf-17-block-ii-fighter-jets-in-june/|url-status=live}}</ref> A further 50 aircraft of the Block III model, incorporating advanced [[avionics]] systems and a new [[Active electronically scanned array|AESA radar]], are expected to be produced. In addition the PAF is also expected to order 26 of the two-seat JF-17B variant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://quwa.org/2019/12/31/jf-17-block-3-prototype-takes-flight/|title=JF-17 Block 3 Prototype Takes Flight|date=31 December 2019|website=Quwa|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=26 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326220440/https://quwa.org/2019/12/31/jf-17-block-3-prototype-takes-flight/|url-status=live}}</ref> The JF-17 is set to become the "backbone" of the PAF alongside its fleet of [[United States|American]] F-16s.
* [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]]: The F-16 Fighting Falcon currently serves as the primary air fighter of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in addition to its ground attack capabilities. The PAF currently has ≈75 F-16s in active service, comprising 44 F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLU,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article3004.html|title=Turkey to upgrade Pakistani F-16s|website=f-16.net|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=26 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326220442/http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article3004.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/11-Dec-2010/Turkey-to-upgrade-PAF-F16s|title=Turkey to upgrade PAF F-16s|date=11 December 2010|website=The Nation|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=26 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326220440/https://nation.com.pk/11-Dec-2010/turkey-to-upgrade-paf-f16s|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/07/01/329050/turkish-aerospace-to-start-pakistani-f-16-upgrades-in.html|title=Turkish Aerospace to start Pakistani F-16 upgrades in 2010|work=Flightglobal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719015949/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/07/01/329050/turkish-aerospace-to-start-pakistani-f-16-upgrades-in.html|archive-date=19 July 2010|access-date=8 June 2011}}</ref> 13 F-16A/B ADF<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article4852.html|title=Pakistan receives first five F-16s from Jordan|website=f-16.net|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=5 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105141923/http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article4852.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/636257-paf-acquires-f-16s-from-jordan|title=PAF acquires F-16s from Jordan|website=The News International|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=26 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326220437/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/636257-paf-acquires-f-16s-from-jordan|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 18 F-16C/D Block 52+ variants.<ref name="autogenerated22">{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/04-pak-f16s-delivered-qs-12|title=US delivers three F-16 jets to Pakistan|date=26 June 2010|website=Dawn News|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628012622/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/04-pak-f16s-delivered-qs-12|archive-date=28 June 2010|access-date=26 June 2010}}</ref>
* [[Dassault Mirage III]]: Having been in service since 1967, the Mirage III, together with the Mirage 5, serves as the primary strike aircraft of the PAF. The PAF operates more than 80 Mirage III aircraft, comprising multiple variants including the Mirage IIIEP, IIIEL and IIIO fighter-bomber variants, the latter of which have been upgraded under [[Project ROSE]], the Mirage IIIRP reconnaissance variant and the Mirage IIIBE, IIID, IIIDL and IIIDP training variants, the latter of which have also been upgraded under [[Project ROSE]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|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|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 November 2014|title=Grande Strategy|date=24 November 2014|website=archive.is|access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last=Warnes|first=Alan|date=December 2013|title=Pakistan's Amazing Mirages|journal=Combat Aircraft Monthly|volume= 14| issue = 12|pages=56–63}}</ref>
* [[Dassault Mirage 5]]: The Mirage 5, together with the Mirage III, serves as the PAF's primary strike aircraft. The PAF operates around 90 Mirage 5 aircraft of multiple variants, including Mirage 5PA, PA2, PA3 and 5F ground attack aircraft, the latter of which have been upgraded under [[Project ROSE]], the Mirage 5DR reconnaissance variant and the Mirage 5DD and DPA2 training variants.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":12" />
* [[Chengdu J-7|Chengdu F-7PG]]: The Chengdu F-7 serves primarily as an [[Interceptor aircraft|interceptor]], and around 140 aircraft are in service.<ref name="World Air Forces 20202">{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-2020/135665.article|title=World Air Forces 2020|year=2020|publisher=Flightglobal Insight|url-access=registration|access-date=10 March 2020|archive-date=23 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123170157/https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-2020/135665.article|url-status=live}}</ref> The PAF has phased out its F-7P aircraft from active service, replaced by the JF-17 Thunder. The F-7PG variant remains the primary variant to remain in service with the PAF, while the two seat FT-7PG variant is in use as operational conversion trainer.

===Special mission aircraft===

* [[Saab 2000]]: The PAF has been operating the Saab 2000 using the [[Erieye]] radar as its primary [[Airborne early warning and control|AEW&C]] platform since 2009. Out of the original four Saab 2000 in service, one was destroyed and two were damaged in a [[Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan|Taliban]] attack on [[PAF Base Minhas]] in August 2012. The damaged aircraft were subsequently repaired and put back into service. The PAF had ordered three more Erieye AEW&C aircraft from Saab with the first batch having been delivered in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pakistan to get more Erieyes |work=Air Forces Monthly|url=https://airforcesmonthly.keypublishing.com/2017/05/19/pakistan-to-get-more-erieyes/|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=5 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305184048/https://airforcesmonthly.keypublishing.com/2017/05/19/pakistan-to-get-more-erieyes/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=April 2024}}
* [[Shaanxi Y-8]]: Four ZDK-03 variants, locally designated the [[Karakoram]] Eagle, are in service. They incorporate a Chinese AESA radar mounted on a Y-8F-600 airframe.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/07/341584/pakistan-to-get-chinese-aewc-aircraft-this-year.html Pakistan to get Chinese AEW&C aircraft this year] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510062754/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/07/341584/pakistan-to-get-chinese-aewc-aircraft-this-year.html|date=10 May 2010}}. ''Flightglobal''. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref>
* [[Dassault Falcon 20]]: The PAF operates three modified Dassault Falcon 20 aircraft with a primary role in [[electronic warfare]].

[[File:Saab 2000 Erieye.jpg|thumb|[[Saab 2000]] [[Erieye|ERIEYE]] [[Airborne early warning and control|AEW&C]]]]

===Transport aircraft===

* [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]]: The [[C-130 Hercules]] has served as the backbone of the PAF's transport fleet since its induction in 1962. 15 aircraft, five C-130Bs, nine C-130Es and one [[Lockheed L-100 Hercules|L-100]], are currently in service. PAF C-130s have been upgraded with [[Allison T56|Allison T56-A-15]] [[turboprop]]s and extended fatigue lives.<ref>[http://www.pafwallpapers.com/aircraft_gallery/C-130_gallery.htm Photo gallery of C-130 Hercules in service with PAF.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231165056/http://www.pafwallpapers.com/aircraft_gallery/C-130_gallery.htm|date=31 December 2011}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rockwell Collins Awarded $30.7 Million Pakistani C-130 Upgrade Contract|url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/170490/rockwell-wins-%2430.7m-to-upgrade-pakistani-c_130s.html|website=defense-aerospace.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323164244/http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/170490/rockwell-wins-$30.7m-to-upgrade-pakistani-c_130s.html|archive-date=23 March 2016|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref>
* [[Harbin Y-12]]: Three Harbin Y-12 are operated as light [[utility aircraft]] by the PAF.
* [[Gulfstream IV|Gulfsteam IV]]: The PAF currently operates two Gulfstream IV-SP variants.
* [[Embraer Phenom 100]]: Approximately four of these aircraft are in service with the PAF for transportation purposes.
* [[Cessna Citation Excel]]: Currently, only one of these aircraft are used by the PAF.

===Aerial refueling aircraft===

* [[Ilyushin Il-78]]: The PAF operates four Il-78MPs equipped with UPAZ refueling pods, procured from [[Ukraine]], as aerial refueling tankers. The Il-78 can also be used as a general transporter by removing the refuel tanks from the cargo hold.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Pakistan-Receiving-IL-78-Refueling-aircraft-05191/|title=Pakistan Receiving IL-78 Refueling aircraft|website=Defense Industry Daily|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=15 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415005353/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Pakistan-Receiving-IL-78-Refueling-aircraft-05191/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Trainer aircraft===
[[File:Ilyushin IL-78 (R09-001) Pakistan Air Force.jpg|thumb|[[Ilyushin Il-78|Il-78]] aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force]]
* [[PAC MFI-17 Mushshak]]: The Mushshak serves as the PAF's basic trainer. The PAF operates 120 Mushshak aircraft, including the improved Super Mushshak variant.
* [[Cessna T-37 Tweet]]: The PAF has operated the T-37 as a basic jet trainer since 1962, and these have been supplemented over the years with additional aircraft from [[Turkey]] and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Turkey to provide 34 T-37 aircraft to Pakistan free of cost|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1215960|last=Haider|first=Mateen|date=28 October 2015|website=Dawn|location=Pakistan|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=26 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326220447/https://www.dawn.com/news/1215960|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Hongdu JL-8]]: The K-8 is operated as an intermediate trainer, before cadets move on to conversion trainers. The K-8 is also operated by the PAF's [[aerobatics]] display team, the ''[[Sherdils]]''.

===Helicopters===

* [[AgustaWestland AW139]]: Beginning in 2018, the PAF started inducting the AW139 to replace the venerable Alouette. The first AW139 unit became operational in March of that same year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PAF No. 88 Squadron Equipped With AgustaWestland AW139 Helicopters – History of PIA – Forum|url=https://historyofpia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26299|website=historyofpia.com|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=23 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423041526/https://historyofpia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26299|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":022">{{Cite web|title=AW139: The Pakistan Air Force's New Mainstay SAR Helicopter|url=https://quwa.org/2019/10/22/aw139-the-pakistan-air-forces-new-mainstay-sar-helicopter/|date=22 October 2019|website=Quwa|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=22 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422002645/https://quwa.org/2019/10/22/aw139-the-pakistan-air-forces-new-mainstay-sar-helicopter/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Mil Mi-17]]: The PAF also operates the Mi-171, which serves primarily in [[Combat search and rescue|CSAR]] roles.<ref name=":022" />

===Air defence systems===

* [[MBDA]] [[Aspide|Spada 2000]] – A medium altitude [[Anti-aircraft warfare|air defence system]] consisting of a radar with a range of 60 kilometres and four 6-cell missile launchers that can intercept enemy missiles and aircraft at a range of over 20&nbsp;kilometres. A contract for ten batteries was signed when Aspide was selected over competing systems from [[Raytheon Technologies|Raytheon]], [[Diehl Defence|Diehl BGT]] and [[Saab AB]] after pre-contract firing tests in Pakistan with assistance from the [[Italian Air Force]].<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3482821&c=EUR&s=AIR MBDA Confirms Air Defense System Sale to Pakistan]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Defense News. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> Reports state that Pakistan tested the air defence system in July 2010, following deliveries of the first few batteries. Deliveries of all ten batteries are reported to have been completed in 2013 with further orders possible upon immediate request.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120723191103/http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4572173&c=EUR&s=AIR Pakistan To Test-Fire Italy Air Defense Missiles]. Defense News (7 April 2010). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> The missile system was tested by the Range & Instrumentation Division of [[Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission|SUPARCO]] in synergy with the PAF. Three drones were successfully intercepted and shot down by the missile system following extensive testing.
* [[Crotale (missile)|Crotale]] – With the procurement of the Spada 2000, Pakistan reportedly decommissioned most of its [[Crotale (missile)|Crotale]] short-range air defence missile systems.<ref name="defensenews.com">[http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3637167 Pakistan Targets Air Combat]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Defense News (14 July 2008). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> However some modernized variants still remain in active service.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web  |date=2024-03-17 |title=Pakistan Air Force Air Defence Development |url=https://quwa.org/2024/03/17/pakistan-air-force-air-defence-development-2/ |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Quwa |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[HQ-9|HQ-9B]] – In October 2003, it was reported that China had closed a deal with Pakistan to supply an unspecified number of FT-2000 systems, an anti-radiation variant of the HQ-9 long-range air defence system.<ref>[http://www.missilethreat.com/missiledefensesystems/id.20/system_detail.asp FT-2000] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919152156/http://www.missilethreat.com/missiledefensesystems/id.20/system_detail.asp |date=19 September 2008 }}. MissileThreat. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> However, in March 2009, a report was published stating that Pakistan was not considering importing the missile.<ref>[http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Analysis_China_exports_new_SAM_missile_999.html Analysis: China exports new SAM missile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322113632/http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Analysis_China_exports_new_SAM_missile_999.html |date=22 March 2009 }}. Spacewar.com. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> It was reported in mid-2008 that Pakistan intended to purchase a high altitude air-missile defence system and the FD-2000, another variant of HQ-9, was expected to be chosen.<ref name="defensenews.com"/><ref>"Pakistan May Seek Chinese Interceptor", ''[[Defense News]]'' www.defensenews.com</ref> In 2023 PAF inducted the [[HQ-9|HQ-9B]] variant into service with a reported range of 260&nbsp;km.<ref name=":3" />
* [[Panhard AML|AML HE 60-20]] – A modified version of the [[France|French]] [[Panhard]] armoured vehicle equipped with a 20mm anti-aircraft cannon used primarily for on-base security.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.terminalx.org/2013/08/pakistan-military-takes-security-zirports-prisons-defence-installations.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129035334/http://www.terminalx.org/2013/08/pakistan-military-takes-security-zirports-prisons-defence-installations.html|title=Pakistan: Military takes security of Airports, Prisons and Defence Installations |archivedate=29 November 2014}}</ref> At least five were originally in service in the late 1990s.<ref name="Africa">''African Defence Journal'': Article "Panhard Armoured Cars and Reconnaissance Vehicles in Africa". The Journal Publishers, 1981 volume, Collected Issues 5–16 p. 58.</ref><ref name=WDA1993>{{cite journal|editor-last=Bonsignore|editor-first=Ezio|title=World Defence Almanac 1992–93: The Balance of Military Power|journal=World Defence Almanac: The Balance of Military Power|date=1993|pages=200–201|publisher=Monch Publishing Group|location=Bonn|issn=0722-3226}}</ref>

===Drone technology===
On 7 September 2015, Pakistan became the fifth nation globally to develop and use an armed [[unmanned combat aerial vehicle]] (drone), the [[NESCOM Burraq]]. Pakistan first started exploring drone technology when it acquired Falco drones from [[Selex ES|Selex Galileo]] for approximately $40&nbsp;million in 2008. Since then, Pakistan has been developing variants of the original Falco drone in the [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex|Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)]] in collaboration with the [[Italy|Italian]] firm. The Burraq was developed which was based on the Falco's technology. By March 2015, Pakistan was able to test-fire Burraq armed with an air-to-surface missile named [[Barq]] with pin-point precision. Burraq drones were used extensively to provide support to the [[Pakistan Army]] during [[Operation Zarb-e-Azb]].<ref name="FA">{{cite journal|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/pakistan/2015-10-04/pakistans-own-drones|title=Islamabad Just Used Armed UAVs—Here's What It Means for the Region and World – Foreign Affairs|journal=Foreign Affairs|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202145421/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/pakistan/2015-10-04/pakistans-own-drones|archive-date=2 February 2016|url-status=live|date=5 October 2015|last1=Fazl-e-Haider|first1=Syed}}</ref>

Pakistan has already talked with [[Turkey]] to manufacture parts for [[TAI Anka|Anka UAV]] and possibly to produce the combat drones locally. Also the [[CAIG Wing Loong II]] UCAVs will be produced in Pakistan with collaboration with [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=IDEF 2021: Pakistan's NESCOM to manufacture parts for Anka UAV |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/idef-2021-pakistans-nescom-to-manufacture-parts-for-anka-uav |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Janes.com |date=24 August 2021 |language=en |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428140159/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/idef-2021-pakistans-nescom-to-manufacture-parts-for-anka-uav |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nene |first=Vidi |title=China and Pakistan to Jointly Produce 48 Wing Loong II Drones |url=https://dronebelow.com/2018/10/11/china-and-pakistan-to-jointly-produce-48-wing-loong-ii-drones/ |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=dronebelow.com |date=11 October 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=11 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011164046/https://dronebelow.com/2018/10/11/china-and-pakistan-to-jointly-produce-48-wing-loong-ii-drones/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-09 |title=China, Pakistan to jointly produce Wing Loong II UAVs, says report |work=Jane's 360 |url=https://www.janes.com/article/83660/china-pakistan-to-jointly-produce-wing-loong-ii-uavs-says-report |access-date=2022-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009185227/https://www.janes.com/article/83660/china-pakistan-to-jointly-produce-wing-loong-ii-uavs-says-report |archive-date=9 October 2018 }}</ref>

==Modernisation and acquisitions==
[[File:Pakistani F-16.jpg|thumb|The first [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon#Variants|F-16D Block 52]] fighter of the PAF, rolled out on 13 October 2009 after undergoing flight testing in the [[United States]] prior to delivery.]]

For a brief period, the Pakistan Air Force experienced a stall in modernization efforts, however this ended in April 2006 when the [[Cabinet of Pakistan|Pakistani cabinet]] approved the PAF's proposals to procure new aircraft and systems from several sources, including modern combat aircraft from the United States and China. The AFFDP 2019 (Armed Forces Development Programme 2019) would oversee the extensive modernization of the PAF from 2006 to 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=409827&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=Pakistan |title=Pakistan to buy 98 hi-tech aircraft from US and China |work=Business Recorder |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021202954/http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=409827&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=Pakistan |archive-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 24 July 2008, the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] informed the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] that it planned to shift nearly $230&nbsp;million of $300&nbsp;million in aid from [[counter-terrorism]] programs to upgrading Pakistan's ageing F-16s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schmitt |first=Eric |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/world/asia/24pstan.html?em&ex=1217044800&en=03d691c6f1024bf0&ei=5087%0A |title=Plan Would Use Antiterror Aid on Pakistani Jets |location=Pakistan |work=The New York Times |date=24 July 2008 |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406001642/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/world/asia/24pstan.html?em&ex=1217044800&en=03d691c6f1024bf0&ei=5087%0A |archive-date=6 April 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The administration had previously announced on 27 June 2008 that it was proposing to sell [[ITT Corporation]]'s electronic warfare gear valued at up to $75&nbsp;million to enhance Pakistan's existing inventory of F-16s.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUKN2739901520080627 |title=US eyes electronic-warfare sale to Pakistan |work=Reuters |date=27 June 2008 |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224005954/http://uk.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUKN2739901520080627 |archive-date=24 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Pakistan has asked about buying as many as 21 AN/ALQ-211(V)9 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite Pods (AIDEWS) as well as other related equipment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asd-network.com/press_detail/16751/Pakistan_-_AN/ALQ-211(V)9_AIDEWS_Pods.htm |title=Pakistan&nbsp;– AN/ALQ-211(V)9 AIDEWS Pods |publisher=Asd-network.com |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907183537/http://www.asd-network.com/press_detail/16751/Pakistan_-_AN/ALQ-211(V)9_AIDEWS_Pods.htm |archive-date=7 September 2009 }}</ref> The proposed sale will ensure that the existing fleet is "compatible" with new F-16 Block 50/52 fighters being purchased by [[Islamabad]].

After [[September 11 attacks|9/11]], the U.S. and Pakistan began discussing the release of the [[Arms embargo|embargoed]] F-16s and Pakistan's ability to purchase new aircraft. Of the 28 F-16A/B built under the ''Peace Gate III/IV'' contracts and embargoed in 1990, 14 were delivered as EDA (Excess Defense Articles) from 2005 to 2008,<ref name="dod.mil">{{cite web |url=http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/olc/docs/testWieringa080916.pdf |title=Written Statement of |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629133516/http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/olc/docs/testWieringa080916.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> two of which were delivered on 10 July 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/2007/07/11/top11.htm |title=Archive &#124; Your Source of News on the World Wide Web |work=Dawn |location=Pakistan |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205172253/http://dawn.com/2007/07/11/top11.htm |archive-date=5 February 2009 |url-status=live |date=11 July 2007 }}</ref>

Between 2005 and 2008, 14 F-16A/B Block 15 OCU fighters were delivered to the PAF under renewed post-9/11 ties between the U.S. and Pakistan. These had originally been built for Pakistan under the Peace Gate III/IV contracts but were never delivered due to the subsequent U.S. arms embargo imposed on Pakistan in 1990.<ref>[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IG13Df01.html Asia Times Online :: South Asia news – Pakistan heading for a crackdown] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408045520/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IG13Df01.html|date=8 April 2009}}. ''Asia Times Online''. (13 July 2007). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref>

To upgrade the F-16A/B fleet, 32 Falcon STAR kits were purchased for the original ''Peace Gate I'' aircraft and 35 [[Mid-life update|Mid-Life Update (MLU)]] kits were ordered, with 11 more MLU kits optional. Four F-16A/B being upgraded in the U.S. to F-16AM/BM had an expected delivery date of December 2011.<ref name="dod.mil"/> F-16A/B in the PAF's service were to be upgraded starting in October 2010 by [[Turkish Aerospace Industries]], at a rate of one per month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tai.com.tr/news.aspx?contentDefID=120 |title=Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc |publisher=Tai.com.tr |date=29 June 2009 |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527060046/http://www.tai.com.tr/news.aspx?contentDefID=120 |archive-date=27 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Siva |last=Govindasamy |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/07/01/329050/turkish-aerospace-to-start-pakistani-f-16-upgrades-in.html |title=Turkish Aerospace to start Pakistani F-16 upgrades in 2010 |work=Flightglobal |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719015949/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/07/01/329050/turkish-aerospace-to-start-pakistani-f-16-upgrades-in.html |archive-date=19 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ''Peace Drive I'' contract for 12 F-16C and six F-16D Block 52+ (Advanced Block 52) aircraft, powered by [[Pratt & Whitney F100|F100-PW-229]] engines was signed on 30 September 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=202665 |access-date=22 May 2011 |title=The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2006/LOCKHEEDMARTINRECEIVESINITIAL78MILL.html |title=LOCKHEED MARTIN RECEIVES INITIAL $78 MILLION CONTRACT TO PRODUCE 18 NEW F-16s |publisher=Lockheedmartin.com |date=11 December 2006 |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325082610/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2006/LOCKHEEDMARTINRECEIVESINITIAL78MILL.html |archive-date=25 March 2008 }}</ref> The first F-16 to be completed, an F-16D, was rolled out on 13 October 2009 and began flight testing immediately.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/091013ae_f16_pakistan-unveil.html# |title=Unveils First New F-16 For Pakistan in Ceremony Attended By Air Force Chiefs |publisher=Lockheed Martin |date=13 October 2009 |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701122607/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/091013ae_f16_pakistan-unveil.html |archive-date=1 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87743&Itemid=1 |title=Associated Press of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) – Inauguration of first BLK-52 F-16D aircraft |publisher=App.com.pk |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416041224/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87743&Itemid=1 |archive-date=16 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f-16.net/news_article3869.html |title=Peace Drive I&nbsp;– First F-16 unveiled |publisher=F-16.net |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906145438/http://www.f-16.net/news_article3869.html |archive-date=6 September 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/10/13/333408/pictures-lockheed-martin-unveils-first-f-16-block-52-ordered-by-pakistan.html |title=PICTURES: Lockheed Martin unveils first F-16 Block 52 ordered by Pakistan |work=Flightglobal |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226054035/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/10/13/333408/pictures-lockheed-martin-unveils-first-f-16-block-52-ordered-by-pakistan.html |archive-date=26 December 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/21-Oct-2009/rahenijat-and-pafs-new-f16 |title=Rah-e-Nijat and PAF's new F-16 |work=The Nation|date=21 October 2009 |location=Pakistan |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027121431/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Columns/21-Oct-2009/RaheNijat-and-PAFs-new-F16 |archive-date=27 October 2009 }}</ref> The first batch of F-16C/D Block 52+, two F-16D and one F-16C landed at [[PAF Base Shahbaz]], [[Jacobabad]], on 26 June 2010.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/04-pak-f16s-delivered-qs-12|title=US delivers three F-16 jets to Pakistan|date=26 June 2010|website=Dawn News|access-date=26 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628012622/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/04-pak-f16s-delivered-qs-12|archive-date=28 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web|url=http://www.geo.tv/6-26-2010/67390.htm|title=PAF gets three F-16s|date=26 June 2010|website=Geo News website (www.geo.tv)|publisher=Geo Television Network|access-date=26 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629201936/http://geo.tv/6-26-2010/67390.htm|archive-date=29 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=First batch of latest version of F-16 aircraft reaches Pakistan|url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=107552&Itemid=2|date=24 June 2010|website=APP website|publisher=Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401181402/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=107552&Itemid=2|archive-date=1 April 2012|access-date=29 June 2010}}</ref> One more F-16C was received by 5 July 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/25793/pakistan-gets-fourth-f-16-jet/|title=Pakistan gets fourth F-16 jet|date=5 July 2010|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=10 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708184953/http://tribune.com.pk/story/25793/pakistan-gets-fourth-f-16-jet/|archive-date=8 July 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 13 December 2008, the [[Government of Pakistan]] stated that two [[Indian Air Force]] aircraft were intercepted by the Pakistan Air Force a few kilometers inside Pakistani airspace. This charge is denied by the Indian government.<ref>[http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20081214-107693.html Pakistan, India row over 'violation' by fighter jets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110922230649/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20081214-107693.html |date=22 September 2011 }}. News.asiaone.com (14 December 2008). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref>

During talks with a delegation from the [[Senate (France)|French Senate]] on 28 September 2009, Prime Minister [[Yousaf Raza Gillani]] stated that the PAF had used most of its stockpile of [[laser-guided bomb|laser-guided munitions]] against [[Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|militants]] in the [[Malakand District|Malakand]] and [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas|FATA]] regions and that replacements for such types of equipment were urgently required.<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/laser-guided-munition-exhausted-says-gilani-sal Pakistan:Laser-guided munition exhausted, says Gilani] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003020225/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/laser-guided-munition-exhausted-says-gilani-sal |date=3 October 2009 }}. Dawn.Com (29 September 2009). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref>

[[File:Pakistan Air Force Shaanxi ZDK-03 (Y-8) inflight.jpg|thumb|PAF [[Shaanxi Y-8|ZDK-03 AEW&C]] in flight|alt=]]
In December 2009, Pakistan saw the delivery of the PAF's first Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C from [[Sweden]] and an Il-78MP [[aerial refueling|aerial refueling tanker]]/[[military transport aircraft]] from [[Ukraine]].<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/12-paf-gets-midair-refueller--bi-09 PAF gets mid-air refueller aircraft] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103172119/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/12-paf-gets-midair-refueller--bi-09 |date=3 January 2010 }}. Dawn (20 December 2009). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Pakistan-Receiving-IL-78-Refueling-aircraft-05191/ Pakistan Receiving IL-78 Refueling aircraft] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415005353/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Pakistan-Receiving-IL-78-Refueling-aircraft-05191/ |date=15 April 2010 }}. Defenseindustrydaily.com (8 December 2008). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geo.tv/12-19-2009/55073.htm |title=First aircraft tanker arrives in Pakistan: PAF |publisher=GEO.tv |date=19 December 2009 |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416080659/http://www.geo.tv/12-19-2009/55073.htm |archive-date=16 April 2010 }}</ref>

The PAF was reported to be considering purchasing the Chinese Hongdu L-15 advanced jet trainer to train pilots for high-tech fighters such as the [[Chengdu J-10]]. Extensive evaluations of the aircraft took place in Pakistan in December 2009.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120728230531/http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4478934&c=FEA&s=SPE Pakistan Eyes Acquisition of Chinese Training Aircraft]. Defense News (1 February 2010). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\03\05\story_5-3-2010_pg7_14|title=US-Pak air forces conduct joint refuelling operation|date=5 March 2010|work=Daily Times|location=Pakistan|access-date=5 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310120342/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C03%5C05%5Cstory_5-3-2010_pg7_14|archive-date=10 March 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to [[Air chief marshal (Pakistan)|Air Chief Marshal (ACM)]] [[Rao Qamar Suleman]] (then [[Chief of the Air Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the Air Staff]]), the new fighters would eliminate the PAF's limitations in conducting precision night-time strike operations,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=107582&Itemid=2 |title=PAF attains night time attack capability: PAF Chief |publisher=App.com.pk |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401181407/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=107582&Itemid=2 |archive-date=1 April 2012 }}</ref> as the existing capability was based on around 34 Dassault Mirage 5 fighters upgraded with new avionics for night-time precision strike missions under the Retrofit of Strike Element (ROSE) programme during 1999–2004.<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/20070504203835/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 SABIR (Special Airborne Mission Installation & Response System), a [[Forward-looking infrared|FLIR]] system that has Brite Star II and Star Safire III EO/IR sensors installed on a C-130 saw extensive usage during the Pakistani military's operations against militants in the [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas|FATA]] region.

In 2021, Pakistan agreed to buy 36 [[Chengdu J-10|Chengdu J-10CP]] multirole fighter aircraft from China to counter the [[Dassault Rafale]] which India bought from [[France]].<ref name="j10">{{cite web|title=Pakistan buys Chengdu J-10 fighter jets from China|date=2021-12-29|access-date=2022-01-01|work=aviacionlie|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/12/pakistan-buys-a-squadron-of-chengdu-j-10-from-china/|first=Gastón|last=Dubois|archive-date=2 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102151146/https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/12/pakistan-buys-a-squadron-of-chengdu-j-10-from-china/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 11 March 2022, PAF inducted modern [[Chengdu J-10|J-10C]] fighter aircraft in its fleet, the formal ceremony was conducted at the [[PAF Base Minhas|Minhas Airbase Kamra]].<ref>{{Cite web  |date=2022-03-11 |title=PM Imran, Gen Bajwa attend special PAF ceremony to induct J-10C fighter jets |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1679432 |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=DAWN |language=en |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312125803/https://www.dawn.com/news/1679432 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | date=2022-03-11 |title=Pakistan Air Force inducts China-made J-10C fighter jets |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40160137 |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=Brecorder |language=en |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313171800/https://www.brecorder.com/news/40160137 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At a ceremony in January 2024, Pakistan announced its intent to acquire the [[Shenyang J-35|J-35]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-03 |title=Pakistan's army chief praises air force's advanced weapon induction, calls it vital for regional power balance |url=https://arab.news/jqadu |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref>

===Planned acquisitions===
Mass production of the PAC JF-17 Thunder A Block-3, a [[Fourth-generation jet fighter|4.5 generation]] aircraft, is underway to replace the F-16 as the "backbone" of the Pakistan Air Force's arsenal. After every 3–5 years, newer blocks of the aircraft are expected to be produced. Pakistan has been in extensive talks with China to acquire between 40 and 60 upgraded [[Fifth-generation jet fighter|fifth-generation]] [[Shenyang J-35]] [[Stealth aircraft|stealth fighter]] aircraft. The [[TAI TF Kaan]], another fifth-generation aircraft under development by Turkey (intended to operate with critical assets such as the American [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35 Lightning II]]) has also been a viable offer for Pakistan, as these fighters can greatly strengthen the PAF's fleet before the country's own fifth-generation fighter is developed under [[Project Azm]]. Pakistan is also reportedly working on developing a strong arsenal of [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAVs]] alongside China's [[CAIG Wing Loong II|CAIG GJ-2 MALE-UCAV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/pakistan-looking-to-buy-chinas-j-31-stealth-fighter-1662152055|title=Pakistan Looking To Buy China's J-31 Stealth Fighter|author=Tyler Rogoway|website=Foxtrot Alpha|date=22 November 2014 |access-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404013023/http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/pakistan-looking-to-buy-chinas-j-31-stealth-fighter-1662152055|archive-date=4 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Project Azm====
{{Main|Project Azm}}

On 7 July 2017, the Pakistan Air Force announced the development of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft, a [[medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle]] (MALE UAV) and munitions under the banner of [[Project Azm|Project ''Azm'']] ([[Urdu]] for resolve/determination).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://quwa.org/2017/07/06/pakistan-announces-5th-gen-fighter-male-uav-programs/|title=Pakistan Announces 5th-Gen Fighter And Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance UAV Programs|last=Khan|first=Bilal|date=6 July 2017|publisher=QUWA|access-date=9 July 2017|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710054225/http://quwa.org/2017/07/06/pakistan-announces-5th-gen-fighter-male-uav-programs/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nation.com.pk/national/06-Jul-2017/paf-establishes-aviation-city-at-aeronautical-complex-kamra|title=PAF establishes Aviation City at Aeronautical Complex Kamra|last=Master|first=Web|date=6 July 2017|work=The Nation|access-date=9 July 2017|archive-date=9 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709014715/http://nation.com.pk/national/06-Jul-2017/paf-establishes-aviation-city-at-aeronautical-complex-kamra|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/214819-Groundbreaking-ceremony-of-Aviation-City-held-in-Kamra|title=Groundbreaking ceremony of Aviation City held in Kamra|author=Web Desk|date=6 July 2017|work=The News International|access-date=10 July 2017|archive-date=12 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712000356/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/214819-Groundbreaking-ceremony-of-Aviation-City-held-in-Kamra|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://quwa.org/2017/07/09/pakistan-sets-industry-goals-kamra-aviation-city-initiative/|title=Reviewing Pakistan's Goals for the Kamra Aviation City Initiative|last=Khan|first=Bilal|date=9 July 2017|work=QUWA Defence News and Analysis Group|access-date=10 July 2017|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710041240/http://quwa.org/2017/07/09/pakistan-sets-industry-goals-kamra-aviation-city-initiative/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/19806/Pakistan_To_Develop_Long_Endurance_Attack_Drone|title=Pakistan To Develop Long Endurance Attack Drone|date=8 July 2017|work=Defence World|access-date=10 July 2017|archive-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708144225/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/19806/Pakistan_To_Develop_Long_Endurance_Attack_Drone|url-status=live}}</ref> Air Chief Marshal (ACM) [[Sohail Aman]] stated that the design phase for the MALE UAV was in its final stages.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

==Military exercises==
{{See also|Military exercises of Pakistan}}
[[File:PAF Mirage III ROSE - USN F-18 - USAF and RJAF F-16 - side view.jpg|thumb|left|A PAF [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]] of the No. 7 ''Bandits'' Squadron alongside a [[United States Navy|US Navy]] [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F-18]] and [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16s]] of the [[United States Air Force|USAF]] and [[Royal Jordanian Air Force|RJAF]]]]
The Pakistan Air Force sent a contingent of six [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants|A/B]] fighters to the 2004 international [[Anatolian Eagle]] exercise in [[Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turks.us/article.php?story=20040930204513235|title=Pakistan Air Force F-16s Fly Off to Turkey for exercise|date=30 September 2004|publisher=turks.us|access-date=25 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727064847/http://www.turks.us/article.php?story=20040930204513235|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="jamestown1">{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=33595|title=Turkey Holds Joint Air Force Exercises With Pakistan|last=Daly|first=John C. K.|date=30 April 2008|newspaper=Jamestown|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation|access-date=23 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225091900/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=33595|archive-date=25 December 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005, after around one year of planning, the PAF held the High Mark 2005 [[military exercise]] which lasted for one month and also involved the [[Pakistan Army]] and [[Pakistan Navy]]. The scenario saw two opposing forces, Blueland and Foxland, engaging in simulated combat which involved both offensive and defensive operations. It was stated that the exercise would consist of three stages and PAF aircraft would fly around 8200 sorties. The involvement of units from the Pakistan Army and Navy was aimed at providing more realistic operational scenarios. High Mark 2005 followed the Tempest-1 military exercise which was focused purely on [[Airpower|air power]] but differed in terms of the duration, intensity and complexity of all air operations being conducted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pakistantimes.net/2005/09/05/top2.htm |title=Pakistan Air Force exercise 'Highmark-2005' starts |year=2005 |publisher=Pakistan Times (pakistantimes.net) |access-date=25 May 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614095930/http://pakistantimes.net/2005/09/05/top2.htm |archive-date=14 June 2011 }}</ref>

In 2008, the [[Turkish Air Force]] sent five F-16C/D fighters and 50 personnel from 191 ''Cobras'' Squadron to [[Pakistan]] to take part in the joint Indus Viper exercise at [[PAF Base Mushaf]].<ref name="jamestown1"/>

In the summer of 2005, a PAF team of 20 [[Airman|airmen]], including [[Fighter pilot|pilots]], [[navigator]]s, [[engineer]]s, [[Technician|maintenance technicians]] and a [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130]]E was sent to the [[United States]] to take part in the AMC ([[Air Mobility Command]]) Rodeo.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Rodeo 2005: McChord AFB, Washington, Hosts the Return of Air Mobility's Premier International Competition|date=Summer 2005|journal=Airlift Tanker Quarterly|volume=13|issue=3|last=R. Bakse|first=Colin|url=http://www.atalink.org/ATQ/Issues/ATQ_Summer_2005.pdf|pages=6–17|access-date=26 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725022839/http://www.atalink.org/ATQ/Issues/ATQ_Summer_2005.pdf|archive-date=25 July 2011}}</ref> The PAF again took part in the AMC Rodeo two years later, in July 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123061480/|title=International teams build relationships at AMC Rodeo|date=20 July 2007|access-date=26 May 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716170649/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123061480|archive-date=16 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2007/04/25/nat19.htm|title=PAF to participate in US air show|last=Haider|first=Masood|publisher=Dawn News|access-date=26 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112144957/http://archives.dawn.com/2007/04/25/nat19.htm|archive-date=12 January 2012|url-status=live|date=25 April 2007}}</ref>

In 2009, while undertaking combat operations against [[Terrorism in Pakistan|militants]] in the [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas|FATA]] and [[Swat District|Swat]] regions, the PAF initiated the [[Exercise Saffron Bandit|Saffron Bandit]] exercise with the aim of training the PAF's entire combat force to undertake such [[Counter-terrorism|anti-terrorist operations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thenews.jang.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=196868&Cat=2&dt=9/5/2009|title=PAF starts Saffron Bandits exercise|date=6 September 2009|access-date=26 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018173801/http://thenews.jang.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=196868&Cat=2&dt=9%2F5%2F2009|archive-date=18 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/05-Sep-2009/paf-saffron-bandit-annual-war-games-have-begun |title=PAF 'Saffron Bandit' annual war games have begun |work=The Nation|location=Pakistan |date=5 September 2009 |access-date=8 June 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014043445/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Islamabad/05-Sep-2009/PAF-Saffron-Bandit-annual-war-games-have-begun |archive-date=14 October 2013 }}</ref>

In December 2009, the PAF sent six [[Chengdu J-7|Chengdu F-7]]PG fighters of No. 31 Wing based at [[PAF Base Samungli]] to the [[United Arab Emirates]] to take part in the Air Tactics Leadership Course (ATLC)—also known as [[Exercise Iron Falcon]]—<nowiki/>at [[Al Dhafra Air Base]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/article.php?section=defence&article=fighters-from-six-nations-train-in-the-uae-s-skies|title=Fighters from six nations train in the UAE's skies|date=6 August 2010|publisher=Arabian Aerospace online news service|access-date=21 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611081634/http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/article.php?section=defence&article=fighters-from-six-nations-train-in-the-uae-s-skies|archive-date=11 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Craig |last=Hoyle |title=Dubai 09: Raptor and Typhoon make surprise appearances |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/channels/mro/articles/2009/11/14/334842/dubai-09-raptor-and-typhoon-make-surprise-appearances.html |publisher=Flight Daily News via Flightglobal |access-date=21 May 2011 |archive-date=23 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423230357/https://www.flightglobal.com/channels/mro/articles/2009/11/14/334842/dubai-09-raptor-and-typhoon-make-surprise-appearances.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Stephen |last=Trimble |title=Dubai 09: UAE hosts first mock dogfights for F-22, Typhoon, Rafale |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/19/335223/dubai-09-uae-hosts-first-mock-dogfights-for-f-22-typhoon-rafale.html |publisher=Flight International via Flightglobal |access-date=21 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128233639/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/19/335223/dubai-09-uae-hosts-first-mock-dogfights-for-f-22-typhoon-rafale.html |archive-date=28 November 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The PAF's High Mark 2010 exercise was launched on 15 March 2010, the first time a High Mark exercise had been conducted since 2005, after all PAF received their [[Air tasking order|Air Tasking Orders]] (ATO). The country-wide exercise involved units based all over Pakistan, from [[Skardu]] to the [[Arabian Sea]], at all [[Main Operating Base]]s and [[Forward operating base|Forward Operating Bases]]. Joint operations involving the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy were also conducted, aiming to test and improve integration and co-operation between the three branches of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]]. Operations emphasized a near-realistic simulation of a wartime environment, exposure of PAF aircrews to contemporary concepts of [[Air combat manoeuvring|air combat]], new employment concepts and joint operations between the Pakistan Air Force, Army and Navy. New inductions such as the [[PAC/CAC JF-17 Thunder|JF-17 Thunder]], [[Erieye|Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C]] and [[Il-78]] MRTT also saw service in this exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=229381&Cat=2&dt=3/16/2010|title=PAF starts High Mark-2010 exercise|date=16 March 2010|work=The News International|access-date=21 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124210015/http://thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=229381&Cat=2&dt=3%2F16%2F2010|archive-date=24 January 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 April 2010, the end of the first phase of exercise High Mark 2010 was celebrated with a 90-minute firepower demonstration at the PAF's firing range facility in the deserts of [[Thal Desert|Thal]]. The [[H-2 SOW]] was also shown to the public for the first time, being launched from around 60&nbsp;km away before hitting its target, and a mock [[counter-insurgency]] operation was performed by participating forces. The demo heralded the beginning of High Mark 2010's second phase, where the PAF would practice joint operations with the Pakistan Army during its own exercise ''Azm-e-Nau-3'' (New Resolve 3).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C04%5C07%5Cstory_7-4-2010_pg7_17|title=High Mark 2010 culminates in display of firepower|last=Minhas|first=Saeed|date=7 April 2010|work=Daily Times|location=Pakistan|access-date=22 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607144311/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C04%5C07%5Cstory_7-4-2010_pg7_17|archive-date=7 June 2011}}</ref> During High Mark 2010, a Chengdu F-7 and [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5]] fighter practiced landing, refueling and take-off operations from a motorway. It was reported that the PAF is in negotiations with the [[Ministry of Communications (Pakistan)|Ministry of Communications]] to set up any required facilities for PAF operations on various motorways in Pakistan.<ref>[https://www.nation.com.pk/03-Apr-2010/pafs-tactical-flexibility PAF's tactical flexibility] . Nation.com.pk (3 April 2010). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.marketwatch.pk/news/pakistan-business-news/f_16%27s-motorway-landing-and-take-off F-16′s Motorway landing and Take off] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405024224/http://www.marketwatch.pk/news/pakistan-business-news/f_16%27s-motorway-landing-and-take-off |date=5 April 2010 }}. MarketWatch.pk (3 April 2010). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref>

[[File:PAF Mirage III ROSE alert scramble competition Falcon Air Meet 2010.jpg|thumb|A PAF [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]] competes in the Alert Scramble Competition during the 2010 Falcon Air Meet in [[Jordan]].]]

In July 2010, the PAF sent six F-16B fighters of [[No. 9 Squadron PAF|No. 9 ''Griffins'' Squadron]] and 100 PAF personnel to [[Nellis Air Force Base]] in the U.S. to participate in the international [[Exercise Red Flag|Red Flag]] exercise for the first time. During the exercise, the PAF pilots practiced [[in-flight refuelling]] with their F-16s using the [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/story/id/123214033/|title=Red Flag 10-04 kicks off 19 July|access-date=21 July 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727155953/http://www.nellis.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123214033|archive-date=27 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=108857&Itemid=2|access-date=21 July 2010|title=PAF F-16s depart for RED Flag Exercise in USA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119142642/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=108857&Itemid=2|archive-date=19 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=109943&Itemid=2|access-date=21 July 2010|title=Pakistan Air Force (PAF) At Red Flag Exercise|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401181730/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=109943&Itemid=2|archive-date=1 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\07\11\story_11-7-2010_pg7_25|access-date=21 July 2010|title=PAF's F-16 jets leave for 'Red Flag' exercises in US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607144238/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C07%5C11%5Cstory_11-7-2010_pg7_25|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nation.com.pk/11-Jul-2010/f16s-depart-for-red-flag-exercise-in-us|access-date=21 July 2010|title=F16s depart for Red Flag Exercise in US|date=11 July 2010 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006121213/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/11-Jul-2010/F16s-depart-for-Red-Flag-Exercise-in-US|archive-date=6 October 2012}}</ref>

{{external media| float  = right| width  = 200px| image1 =| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA75Yq4dHQU Mirage III ROSE fighters of the PAF's No. 7 ''Bandits'' Squadron take part in the Falcon Air Meet 2010 exercise.]}}

In October 2010, the PAF's No. 7 ''Bandits'' Squadron sent a team of its [[Dassault Mirage III]] [[Project ROSE|ROSE]] fighters to [[Jordan]] to participate in the Falcon Air Meet 2010 exercise at the [[Azraq, Jordan|Azraq]] [[Royal Jordanian Air Force|Royal Jordanian Air Base]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Gary |last=Parsons |title=Video: Falcon Air Meet 2010 |url=http://www.key.aero/view_news.asp?ID=2739&thisSection=military |publisher=key.Aero Network |access-date=21 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216152725/http://key.aero/view_news.asp?ID=2739&thisSection=military |archive-date=16 December 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Chyenne A |last=Adams |title=Falcon Air Meet 2010 |url=http://www.f-16.net/news_article4229.html |publisher=f16.net |access-date=21 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227101855/http://www.f-16.net/news_article4229.html |archive-date=27 December 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> January 2011 saw a PAF contingent of F-16A/B and Dassault Mirage fighters take part in the Al-Saqoor II exercise in [[Saudi Arabia]] with the [[Royal Saudi Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C01%5C17%5Cstory_17-1-2011_pg7_19|title=Pakistan, Saudi air forces conduct joint exercise|date=17 January 2011|work=Daily Times|location=Pakistan|access-date=25 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607144217/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011%5C01%5C17%5Cstory_17-1-2011_pg7_19|archive-date=7 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paf.gov.pk/news/uploaded/Exercise16012011.pdf|title=Pakistan And Royal Saudi Air Forces Conduct Joint Exercise "Al Saqoor-Ii"|date=16 January 2011|website=PAF Press Release|publisher=Pakistan Air Force|access-date=25 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014094606/http://www.paf.gov.pk/news/uploaded/Exercise16012011.pdf|archive-date=14 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/news107407.html|title=Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Conduct Joint Air Exercise|date=18 January 2011|publisher=airforce-technology.com|access-date=25 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607154244/http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/news107407.html|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST|date=June 2016}}

In March 2011, a joint [[China–Pakistan relations|Sino-Pakistani]] exercise, codenamed ''Shaheen-1'', was conducted involving a contingent of [[China|Chinese]] aircraft and personnel from the [[People's Liberation Army Air Force|PLAAF]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pak-Air-force-conducts-joint-exercise-with-China/articleshow/7740592.cms|title=Pak Air force conducts joint exercise with China|date=19 March 2011|access-date=23 May 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701143440/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-19/pakistan/29146036_1_pak-air-joint-exercise-paf|archive-date=1 July 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=live}}</ref> Information on which aircraft were used by each side in the exercise remained classified, but photos of Pakistani pilots inspecting what appeared to be Chinese [[Shenyang J-11]]B fighters were released on the [[internet]]. The exercise lasted for around four weeks and was the first time the PLAAF had deployed to Pakistan and conducted "operational" aerial maneuvers with the PAF.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=37959&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=228&cHash=79d5118fe4441ac6a25c02857e8dfa29|title="Shaheen 1" Exercise Signals Expansion of China-Pakistan Alliance|last=Zambelis|first=Chris|date=20 May 2011|newspaper=Jamestown|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation|access-date=23 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912171056/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=37959&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=228&cHash=79d5118fe4441ac6a25c02857e8dfa29|archive-date=12 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Involvement in Pakistani society==
{{See also|2009 refugee crisis in Pakistan}}

The Pakistan Air Force, alongside other branches of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|armed forces]] has played an integral part in the [[Society of Pakistan|civil society of Pakistan]] since its inception.<ref name="Taylor and Francis-e-Library">{{cite book|author=Mazhar Aziz|title=Military control in Pakistan: the parallel state|year=2008|publisher=Taylor and Francis-e-Library|location=Milton Park, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK|isbn=978-0-415-43743-1|pages=80–81|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIwXnkZOyoMC&q=dismissal+of+general++karamat&pg=PA81|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200137/https://books.google.com/books?id=tIwXnkZOyoMC&q=dismissal+of+general++karamat&pg=PA81|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, [[General officer|General]] [[Jehangir Karamat]] described the Pakistani military's relations with [[Pakistan]]'s populace:

{{blockquote|text=In my opinion, if we have to repeat of past events then we must understand that military leaders can pressure only up to a point. Beyond that their own position starts getting undermined because the military is after all is a mirror image of the civil society from which it is drawn. |sign=General Jehangir Karamat on civil society–military relations |source=<ref name="Taylor and Francis-e-Library"/>|title=}}

In times of natural disaster such as the [[1992 in Pakistan|chaotic floods of 1992]] or the [[2005 Kashmir earthquake|October 2005 earthquake]], PAF engineers, medical and logistics personnel alongside the rest of the armed forces played a major role in bringing relief aid and supplies to those who were affected.<ref name="Air Force statistics on relief operations"/>

In addition to the PAF's involvement in relief activities at home, it has also helped the Pakistani military's responses to natural disasters in many other countries globally.<ref name="Air Force statistics on relief operations">{{cite web|title=Air Force statistics on relief operations|url=http://www.paf.gov.pk/relief_operation.html|publisher=Air Force statistics on relief operations|access-date=28 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204171253/http://www.paf.gov.pk/relief_operation.html|archive-date=4 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The PAF was involved in the dispatching of relief to [[Indonesia]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Sri Lanka]] after they were hit by the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]]. Coordinating a synergized response, the Pakistan Armed Forces sent ships and helicopters with aid and personnel to assist in the international relief operation.<ref name="Air Force statistics on relief operations"/>

==In popular culture==
In [[Pakistani literature]], the [[shaheen falcon]] has a special association with the poetry of the country's national poet, [[Muhammad Iqbal|Allama Muhammad Iqbal]].<ref name="nationalsymbol">{{cite web| url=http://www.nationalheritage.gov.pk/nationalsymbols.html| title=National Symbols of Pakistan| publisher=Government of Pakistan| access-date=23 August 2013| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827084404/http://nationalheritage.gov.pk/nationalsymbols.html| archive-date=27 August 2013| df=dmy-all}}</ref> The bird also appears on the official representative badge of the Pakistan Air Force.

Various [[Pakistani dramas|Urdu-language drama serials]] on the PAF have been written, produced, directed, and televised nationwide. Notable [[Urdu]] drama serials and films involving the PAF are ''Shahpar'' and ''[[Sherdil]]'', which were televised on [[Pakistan Television Corporation|PTV]] and [[ARY Digital]], respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pakistan Air Force Drama Sherdil|url=http://www.paffalcons.com/multimedia/sherdil.php|access-date=28 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402065515/http://paffalcons.com/multimedia/sherdil.php|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>

==Notable personnel==
[[File:Mohammad Mahmood Alam 1965.jpg|thumb|left|120px| [[Muhammad Mahmood Alam|M.M. Alam]], [[Pseudonym|aka]] ''Little Dragon'', [[Indian Air Force|Indian]] kill marks visible on his [[North American F-86 Sabre|Sabre]]]]
[[File:8-Pass Charlie.jpg|thumb|Squadron Leader Najeeb Ahmed Khan aka [[8-Pass Charlie]]]]
The [[Nishan-e-Haider]] ({{Langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|نشان حیدر}}|lit=Mark of [[Ali]]}}), is the highest military award of [[Pakistan]], and is roughly equivalent in value to the [[United States]]' [[Medal of Honor]]. [[Pilot officer|Pilot Officer]] [[Rashid Minhas]] (1951 – 20 August 1971) is the only officer of the PAF to have been awarded the [[Nishan-e-Haider]] for sacrificing his life to save an aircraft from being hijacked to [[India]].<ref>[http://www.paf.gov.pk/paf_shaheeds.html PAKISTAN AIR FORCE – Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314063453/http://www.paf.gov.pk/paf_shaheeds.html |date=14 March 2010 }}. Paf.gov.pk. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref>

Other notable recipients of major military awards include:

*[[Air commodore|Air Commodore]] [[Muhammad Mahmood Alam]]&nbsp;– awarded for downing nine fighters<ref>[http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/aces/aces.htm Fighter Pilot Aces List] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301094203/http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/aces/aces.htm |date=1 March 2010 }}. Au.af.mil. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> (of which five were downed within one minute<ref name="defencejournal2001">{{cite web|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/september/alam.htm |title=Alam's Speed-shooting Classic |publisher=Defencejournal.com |date=6 September 1965 |access-date=15 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927040737/http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/september/alam.htm |archive-date=27 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paf.gov.pk/mmalam.html |title=PAKISTAN AIR FORCE&nbsp;– Official website |publisher=Paf.gov.pk |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013074101/http://www.paf.gov.pk/mmalam.html |archive-date=13 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Fricker|first=John|title=Battle for Pakistan: the air war of 1965|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RPttAAAAMAAJ|isbn=9780711009295|year=1979|publisher=I. Allan |access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106051949/https://books.google.com/books?id=RPttAAAAMAAJ|archive-date=6 January 2016|url-status=live}} {{blockquote|'before we had completed more than of about 270-degree of the turn, at around 12-degree per second, all four hunters had been shot down.'}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yespakistan.com/memorialday/Rebirth%20of%20MMAlam.asp |title=Re-birth of Pakistan's Record-holder Air Fighter as a New Man: Mohmammad M. Alam |publisher=Yespakistan.com |access-date=28 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117032228/http://yespakistan.com/memorialday/Rebirth%20of%20MMAlam.asp |archive-date=17 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ideasevolved.com/pakistan-not-as-seen-on-tv/ |title=Pakistan&nbsp;– Not as seen on TV! |publisher=Ideasevolved.com |access-date=28 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913060208/http://www.ideasevolved.com/pakistan-not-as-seen-on-tv/ |archive-date=13 September 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>) of the [[Indian Air Force]] in direct air-to-air combat.<ref name="defencejournal.com">[http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/september/alam.htm Alam's Speed-shooting Classic] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927040737/http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/september/alam.htm |date=27 September 2011 }}. Defencejournal.com (6 September 1965). Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> ([[Sitara-e-Jurat]])
*[[8-Pass Charlie|Air Commodore Najeeb Ahmed Khan]]&nbsp;– [[B-57 Canberra]] bomber pilot who raided the [[Adampur Airport|Adampur Airbase]] several times during the 1965 war.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heroes |url=https://www.pafmuseum.com.pk/heroes/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Pakistan Air Force Museum |language=en-US |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153320/https://www.pafmuseum.com.pk/heroes/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ([[Sitara-e-Jurat]])
*[[Squadron leader|Squadron Leader]] [[Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui]]&nbsp;– awarded for refusing to abandon his group of fighters during a battle despite his guns being jammed. He continued his attempts to assist his squadron in the battle by chasing enemy fighters until eventually being shot down.<ref>[http://www.defencejournal.com/sept98/citation_paf1.htm Citation of PAF Shaheeds – 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221193720/http://www.defencejournal.com/sept98/citation_paf1.htm |date=21 February 2009 }}. Defencejournal.com. Retrieved 8 September 2010.</ref> ([[Hilal-i-Jur'at|Hilal-e-Jurat]], [[Sitara-e-Jurat]])
*[[Air marshal|Air Marshall]] [[Nur Khan]] – awarded for personally leading several operational missions that uplifted morale and enabled the air force to assert control over a larger and better-equipped enemy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-05 |title=Air Marshal Nur Khan, Hilal-e-Jurrat |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/293498/air-marshal-nur-khan-hilal-e-jurrat/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US}}</ref> ([[Hilal-i-Jur'at|Hilal-e-Jurat]])

==See also==
*[[Air Force Strategic Command (Pakistan)|Air Force Strategic Command]]
*[[List of Pakistan Air Force Bases|List of Pakistan Air Force bases]]
*[[List of Pakistan Air Force squadrons]]
*[[List of retired Pakistan Air Force aircraft]]
*[[Special Services Wing|Special Services Wing – (SSW)]]
*[[Pakistan Air Force Museum]]
*[[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="Note"}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

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==External links==
{{Commons category|Air force of Pakistan}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|http://www.paf.gov.pk}}
* [http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=850 Aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force and general equipment]
* ''The National Interest,'' [https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/how-pakistans-air-force-fought-back-soviet-invasion-afghanistan-199027 How Pakistan's Air Force fought back after the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan]

{{Pakistan Air Force main}}
{{Air forces}}

[[Category:Military of Pakistan|*]]
[[Category:Pakistan Air Force| ]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1947]]
[[Category:Government of Pakistan]]