FORWARD OPERATIONAL BASE: Pakistan is a peace-loving nation; but any misadventure by the adversary will be taught a lesson to be remembered for ages, Air Chief Marshal Suhail Aman said.
The Chief of Air Staff, who flew a Mirage fighter jet at the PAF base Qadri in Skardu at the foothills of Siachin, said the PAF is a battle-hardened force, which is ranked among the best air forces of the world.
He said the nation has full trust in its armed forces and no one should give credence to any statements from across the border. Referring to the Zarb-e-Azb operation, he said the PAF has taken active part in the operation for about two and half years. During this whole period not a single incident of “collateral damage” had ever taken place, which speaks volumes about the professionalism and the level of precise preparedness of PAF’s fighter pilots, officers and men, he said.
The air chief said no other air force in such operations could avoid collateral damage. Giving details about his visit to the Forward Operational Base (FOB), Suhail said the PAF has been carrying out routine training activity, called summer exercise where different fighting squadrons of the air force have been taking part to sharpen their cutting edge skills.
“Everyone knows, so we need not tell anyone that we should get ready and be prepared. We remain vigilant 24/7.” However, he admitted that PAF’s air-to-air refuelling capability has not increased. “We are defending every inch of our country and will maintain it at any cost,” the air chief said.
Regarding a large inventory of hi-tech aircraft of the adversary, he said, “We are not impressed with the technology or number. No situation whatsoever is difficult or challenging for PAF,” air chief Suhail asserted.
In case any one thought of engaging into adventure or misadventure it would be their miscalculation, he said adding, “We will respond with full force.”
On the air surveillance sector, he said the damaged SAB aircraft have once again became operational and added that procurement of more equipment was on cards.
Air chief Suhail said Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra had been making unrelenting efforts to manufacture the world-class aircraft JF-17 Thunder and other equipment. He said PAC had successfully completed a two-year study on the indigenously manufactured fighter aircraft. He said JF-17 has been equipped with the modern weaponry and gadgets. The chief of air staff visited the Qadri Air Base and reviewed exercises and operational preparedness of PAF. Later, he interacted with the airmen, pilots and officers and took part in the exercises and flew a six-decade old Mirage aircraft for around 30 minutes to have a bird’s-eye view of the geographical boundary in Siachin.
