SHAHBAZ AIRBASE (Jackobabad):Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said on Monday that with the induction of F-16 (Block 52) fighter jets and AVACS surveillance aircraft in its fleet, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was now more capable to counter any external aggression against the territorial integrity of the country.“We have received the last batch of 18 F-16 (Block 52) jets which have better technical and operational capabilities as compared to our neighbouring air force,” he said while talking to journalists on the occasion of completion of delivery of F-16 (Block-52) and upgradation of Shahbaz Airbase.


He said that the 14 F-16 (Block 15) fighter aircrafts had arrived from the United States after complete overhauling.
Rao Qamar Suleman said that the PAF had also acquired one AVACS, out of four aircraft, from China which had enhanced its air surveillance capability.
Under a Mid-Life Upgradation (MLU) agreement, Turkey would upgrade 45 F-16 old version aircraft to the level of F-16 (Block 52) by equipping them with modern avionics and radar systems till 2013.
About upgradation of Shahbaz Airbase, he said that the airbase was fully under the PAF command and control and the reports regarding presence of foreign air force were baseless.
“Some US trainers are imparting training to our pilots and engineering staff under PAF command and control system”, he added.
PAF more capable to defend motherland after induction of F-16 (Block-52), AVACS: Rao Qamar SHAHBAZ AIRBASE (Jackobabad): Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said on Monday that with the induction of F-16 (Block 52) fighter jets and AVACS surveillance aircraft in its fleet, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was now more capable to counter any external aggression against the territorial integrity of the country.
“We have received the last batch of 18 F-16 (Block 52) jets which have better technical and operational capabilities as compared to our neighbouring air force,” he said while talking to journalists on the occasion of completion of delivery of F-16 (Block-52) and upgradation of Shahbaz Airbase.
He said that the 14 F-16 (Block 15) fighter aircrafts had arrived from the United States after complete overhauling.
Rao Qamar Suleman said that the PAF had also acquired one AVACS, out of four aircraft, from China which had enhanced its air surveillance capability.
Under a Mid-Life Upgradation (MLU) agreement, Turkey would upgrade 45 F-16 old version aircraft to the level of F-16 (Block 52) by equipping them with modern avionics and radar systems till 2013.
About upgradation of Shahbaz Airbase, he said that the airbase was fully under the PAF command and control and the reports regarding presence of foreign air force were baseless.
“Some US trainers are imparting training to our pilots and engineering staff under PAF command and control system”, he added.