PAF is well-equipped, updated force: air chief

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Staff Air Chief Marshal Suhail Aman on Wednesday said that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is well-equipped and an updated force. Our feet are on the ground, he told a questioner during a brief media chat here at the Nur Khan Airbase on arrival of PAF’s C-130 aircraft that was awarded a trophy in the prestigious Air Tattoo Show held recently in the UK.

He said PAF along with the other armed forces of the country have proved their mettle as the best potent force while effectively taking up tasks in operation Zarb-e-Azb. The entire world had monitored PAF’s performance during Zarb-e-Azb and is appreciative of the achievements made while executing the operation, he said.

When asked to comment on the buying spree of modern aircraft and inventory by the adversary, he said we are not worried about anything and are continuously monitoring the situation. He said PAF is cognizant of the entire situation and efforts are underway to meet the requirements in essential sectors.

Meanwhile, under a phased plan he said the ageing fleet in the PAF inventory is being replaced with the flying combatmachines of the modern era. He said that PAF’s JF-17 Thunder aircraft is in a high demand at the international forums and efforts are in hand to comply with the demand.

On the winning of trophy by PAF C-130 Hercules at the World Air Tattoo Show held in UK, he said the winning of the trophy speaks volumes that the world understands Pakistan’s point of view besides acknowledging its efforts in achieving peace in the region.

He said the pictures painted on the exterior of the aircraft not only depict the country’s commitment towards eradication of terror but also project its soft image in a forceful and effective manner. He said the operation provided ample opportunity to forge a synergy that brought the armed forces of the country closer to take up the challenges in a more effective and productive manner. He said not only the armed forces of the country are united but the entire nation is also fully on their back in operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff inspected the aircraft which carried historical pictures of operation Zarb-e-Azb along with the different stages achieved by the aircraft itself during its last 55 years of flying.

The crew of the aircraft sharing experiences of the air show said that the participants of the show were highly appreciative of the efforts of Pakistan armed forces, in particular and people of country in general for their resilience and steadfastness to meet the challenges.

The aircraft carrying slogan ‘Nothing is beyond my reach’ was inducted in the PAF’s inventory during 1960. It had been kept flying worthy since then out of sheer commitment and contributions made by the engineers and technical staff of the PAF ground teams.