For the first time ever, the Pakistan Air Force to gain superiority over the Indian Air Force in the skies
The Indian media has expressed shock and dismay over the revelations that the IAF will lose its superiority to the PAF within the next one to two years.
At present, the IAF is operating 34 fighter jet squadrons, as compared to the 26 operated by the PAF. However, the IAF needs to operate 39.5 squadrons to maintain its superiority over the PAF, due to a wide variety of issues like geographical disadvantage. The squadron strength of the IAF will drop to just 31 during the country’s 12th five year plan (2012-2017). The IAF also plans to phase out around 125 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets during 2014-2017. It plans to replace them with the HAL Tejas, whose induction is likely to get delayed.
On the other hand, the PAF is moving forward with a number of high profile aircraft deals. Pakistan recently received 14 General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (Block-52) aircraft from the US. It is likely to acquire 14 more within a short time. PAF is also actively pursuing aircraft dealings with Chinese aerospace companies. It has finalized a deal to purchase 36 Chengdu J-10 multirole fighter aircraft, from the Chinese aircraft manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation. PAF is likely to induct these aircrafts in 2014. Sources within the PAF claim that as many as 150 of these fighter jets will be purchased from China in the long run.
Recently India had finalized a defence deal with the French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation for the delivery of 126 Dassault Rafale Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft. But the deal has come under increasing scrutiny after allegations of kickbacks being given to Indian defence officials. Even if the deal goes forward, the delivery of the fighter jet is expected to take a long time. Earlier the Dassault Rafale was rejected by nations such as Singapore, South Korea, Morocco and Switzerland, citing lack of advanced technology and cost.
Ever since the current Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh took his office for a second term in 2009, the defence scene has remained murky and problematic for the Indian government. The Army chief, Gen. VK Singh, who undertook a number of reforms within the armed forces, was asked to resign this month by the defence minister, citing an error in his officially reported date of birth. The opposition claims that the government terminated Gen. Singh’s service since he was opposed to the corruption in the Armed Forces. A loyalist of the ruling Indian National Congress party, Lt Gen. Bikram Singh will take over the leadership from Gen. VK Singh on June 1, 2012.
17 Comments
Oh, bullcrap media!
what a joke, PAf can never match IAF in terms of tech and numbers so how can it gain superiority?
well india is not going to be a sitting duck as well…..whom so ever has written this article has assumed that India won’t procure any aircraft while pakistan is going for great numbers…..dumb analysis.
Fake report how can PAF even compare itself with IAF.. IAF have 120+ SU30 MKI fighter(4th gen fighter) 126 Euro-fighter Rafael (4.5 generation fighter) under development T-50 PAKFA (5th generation fighter)which is at the level of American fighter f-35 which will be front line defender of IAF and PAF is using f-16 as front line defender which even cant be compared with su30mki and much more..So how can PAF is being compared with IAF. IAF strength is about 50% more than PAF so stop this fake report and news.
Fake report how can PAF even compare itself with IAF.. IAF have 120+ SU30 MKI fighter(4th gen fighter) 126 Dassault Rafael (4.5 generation fighter) under development T-50 PAKFA (5th generation fighter)which is at the level of American fighter f-35 which will be front line defender of IAF and PAF is using f-16 as front line defender which even cant be compared with su30mki and much more..So how can PAF is being compared with IAF. IAF strength is about 50% more than PAF so stop this fake report and news.
The number of planes does not mean everything. the PLAAF has more planes than the USAF, does that mean the PLAAF is superior?
The IAF is phasing out all 3rd generation aircraft (MIGs jaguars etc.) and replacing them with SU 30 MKI’s, Rafales, and LCA’s.
@ decent.friend
PAF didn’t compare itself with IAF but is your bharti media who is , yet again , crying like a baby. Secondly, India must have atleast 1:3 ratio in favor of it , in order to invade Pakistan. Currently , your IAF won’t be able to achieve air-superiority over Pakistani skies and hence your cold-start doctrine will be smoked by Pakistani military. Also , you have ALOT more area to cover and you also have to deploy some squadrons on Chinese border. So overall , your IAF isn’t in very good shape in respect to its doctrine..while PAF is perfectly alright with respect to its doctrine of ” Credible Aerial Defence & Limited Offense”
Biased!
not first time but indian newspaper has published nit first time …
When has been rafale deal accused of malpractices?
This s a not even a analysis…
PAF cant be compared with USAF!… Though you can not Deny that PAF will not be able to complete with Frst line defenders of IAF the 5th generation T-50 Pakfa, 4.5th generation Dassault Rafael, 4th generation Su 30 MKI. Indian LCA Tejas is far better than JF 17 thunder. It is so easy to understan that PAF is using 4th generation fighter as its front line defender but IAF is using 4th generation fighter as 3rd line defender! 4th generation f-16 cant complete with T-50 PAKFA 5th generation fighter(Under development),Rafael 4.5th generation fighter, f-16 even cant complete with Su30 Mki as F-16 is poor in dog fight… Before commenting on it one should search web wisely.
Pakistan and India both are poor countries. They should not spent lot of money on defense. Sign a peace treaty, as Egypt as done. In both the countries people are largely suffering from basic human needs.
@decent.friend:
Where the hell did you get the 126 Rafale and PAKFA? By the time IAF inducts Rafale, we would be operating J-10A’s and Block II/III of JF-17′s plus 70+ F-16′s to counter any IAF misadventure over our skies and by the time India operates PAK-FA we would be operating J-XX (5th Gen Stealth fighter), we will always keep parity for defensive purposes. Remember, PAF is defensive while IAF is offensive.
Gentlemen, its Man behind the Gun and not the number of Guns which matters and let me tell you that that Indian Migs would not be more than flying ducks for PAF in case of a showdown………..write whatever you may like to but fact remains that PAF pilots are much better trained and most of its Aircraft are new though less in numbers.
@mavrick
yup bro and jxx programme also contains 6th gen aircrafts and jf17 will also be 5th and 5.5th gen aircrafts by that time…… and russia has also offered us pak fa
@decent mind
upar waala cmmnt parh lo
decent mind@
mera upar waaala
yar can any 1 here plzzz tell me the exact number of Jf 17 In pakistan