[VIDEOS] Pakistan-China joint Shaheen air exercises

[Lonewarrior]

ISLAMABAD: The joint international air exercise “Shaheen-VI” conducted between Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) culminated at Korla Air Base, China.

Air Vice Marshal Haseeb Paracha, Air Officer Commanding, Southern Air Command was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. Lt Gen Zhan Shunhou, Air Commander of Western Theater Command, PLAAF was also present at the occasion.

A PAF delegation also witnessed the exercise on the last day and participated in the closing ceremony along with high ranking Chinese officials.
In the three weeks duration Air Exercise, PAF and PLAAF contingents participated with modern fighter Jets and support elements.

PAF Pilots, aslo flies in J-11s and Su-30s of the PLAAF.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/232959-Pak-China-joint-air-exercise-Shaheen-VI-concludes

 

[Robert]

That big Sukhoi is a good looking bird.

 

[Varun]

That big Sukhoi is a good looking bird.

Agreed, the Flanker is the most majestic looking fighter ever, and it isn't a dud either: even the bumbling IAF have managed to procure 250+ of them since 2002 and would be lost without it. I particularly love its afterburners: looks like a gas stove!

 

[the Great Khan]

Agreed, the Flanker is the most majestic looking fighter ever, and it isn't a dud either: even the bumbling IAF have managed to procure 250+ of them since 2002 and would be lost without it. I particularly love its afterburners: looks like a gas stove!

Bumbling? I highly doubt that. The IAF is a formidable opponent. The Sukhoi is the single most dangerous aircraft in Asia and a major threat to the PAF.

 

[Varun]

Bumbling? I highly doubt that. The IAF is a formidable opponent. The Sukhoi is the single most dangerous aircraft in Asia and a major threat to the PAF.

You'll change your tune once you dive into the actual workings of the IAF, including:

* The constant moaning about needing billions of dollars worth of foreign equipment. Or else we will be overrun by China and Pakistan in a matter of days. Periodic stories hankering for the latest, greatest fighter in town are constantly put out.

* The decades-long cold shoulder to homegrown platforms like the Tejas, refusing to give it an equal opportunity to other fighters like the Gripen or the Rafale which they will accept in a heartbeat.

* Always fantasizing of having 42 squadrons at some point in the future. Meanwhile, their pace of procurement (or lack of) means that we are still stuck with scores of rickety Mig-21s and Mig-27s and other assorted Soviet-era junk.

* They didn't cover themselves in glory in any of the wars where the PAF actually took to the skies, be in 1965 or 1971. In 2008, they chickened out of any action altogether when faced with the prospect of a handful of F-16s being stationed near the border. So much for burning our (tax payers') money. Of course, whether the decision to confront Pakistan was the right or wrong call is another debate.

* Lastly, their kichdi of fleet decision making over the years means we have a complete biryani of aircraft, from big to small. From heavy to light. Ideally, we should have no more than 3 or 4 platforms, on the combat front anyway.

 

[Specialisttailender]

You'll change your tune once you dive into the actual workings of the IAF, including:

* The constant moaning about needing billions of dollars worth of foreign equipment. Or else we will be overrun by China and Pakistan in a matter of days. Periodic stories hankering for the latest, greatest fighter in town are constantly put out.

* The decades-long cold shoulder to homegrown platforms like the Tejas, refusing to give it an equal opportunity to other fighters like the Gripen or the Rafale which they will accept in a heartbeat.

* Always fantasizing of having 42 squadrons at some point in the future. Meanwhile, their pace of procurement (or lack of) means that we are still stuck with scores of rickety Mig-21s and Mig-27s and other assorted Soviet-era junk.

* They didn't cover themselves in glory in any of the wars where the PAF actually took to the skies, be in 1965 or 1971. In 2008, they chickened out of any action altogether when faced with the prospect of a handful of F-16s being stationed near the border. So much for burning our (tax payers') money. Of course, whether the decision to confront Pakistan was the right or wrong call is another debate.

* Lastly, their kichdi of fleet decision making over the years means we have a complete biryani of aircraft, from big to small. From heavy to light. Ideally, we should have no more than 3 or 4 platforms, on the combat front anyway.

With 28% GST imposition, we should be able to afford Super Sonic-Amphibious B-2 bombers that should bring us a FIFA World Cup trophy.

 

[GBK_Fan]

You'll change your tune once you dive into the actual workings of the IAF, including:

* The constant moaning about needing billions of dollars worth of foreign equipment. Or else we will be overrun by China and Pakistan in a matter of days. Periodic stories hankering for the latest, greatest fighter in town are constantly put out.

* The decades-long cold shoulder to homegrown platforms like the Tejas, refusing to give it an equal opportunity to other fighters like the Gripen or the Rafale which they will accept in a heartbeat.

* Always fantasizing of having 42 squadrons at some point in the future. Meanwhile, their pace of procurement (or lack of) means that we are still stuck with scores of rickety Mig-21s and Mig-27s and other assorted Soviet-era junk.

* They didn't cover themselves in glory in any of the wars where the PAF actually took to the skies, be in 1965 or 1971. In 2008, they chickened out of any action altogether when faced with the prospect of a handful of F-16s being stationed near the border. So much for burning our (tax payers') money. Of course, whether the decision to confront Pakistan was the right or wrong call is another debate.

* Lastly, their kichdi of fleet decision making over the years means we have a complete biryani of aircraft, from big to small. From heavy to light. Ideally, we should have no more than 3 or 4 platforms, on the combat front anyway.

What happened in 2008? What did I miss?

 

[Varun]

What happened in 2008? What did I miss?

I was referring to the night of 26/11.

 

[gani999]

* They didn't cover themselves in glory in any of the wars where the PAF actually took to the skies, be in 1965 or 1971. In 2008, they chickened out of any action altogether when faced with the prospect of a handful of F-16s being stationed near the border. So much for burning our (tax payers') money. Of course, whether the decision to confront Pakistan was the right or wrong call is another debate.

Disagree 100%

In case you didn't know, Pakistan's Air Force was far better equipped than India's during these wars. PAF had the state of the art F-86 Sabre Jets, Lockheed Starfighters and B-57 Canberra bombers in 1965/71. IAF back then was still operating Hunters, BAe Canberras and Vampires, all of which were 1950s vintage and most of which did not have any night combat capability. The Only saving grace for the IAF was the Gnat, which was lethal at low altitudes. Yet the IAF managed quite well, and managed an impressive kill-attrition rate.

As for the other problems you have mentioned, they are mostly the government's fault and not the IAF's making.

 

[gani999]

I was referring to the night of 26/11.

Can you provide some links ? Where was it said that the IAF chickened out? In any case, advanced combat aircraft are of no use in urban guerrila warfare like what happened on 26/11, unless you want to obliterate your own cities.

 

[Lonewarrior]

Pakistan-China Joint Air Force Exercise "Shaheen-IX 2020"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pak-China Joint Air Exercise “Shaheen-IX” started today at an Operational Air Base of PAF.<br>The PLAAF contingent comprising Pilots and Air Defence Controllers is participating in the exercise.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAFShaheenIX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAFShaheenIX</a> <a href="https://t.co/HZrGMe7Zdg">pic.twitter.com/HZrGMe7Zdg</a></p>— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) <a href="https://twitter.com/DGPR_PAF/status/1336674479938760709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The opening ceremony of the exercise was jointly witnessed by AVM Waqas Ahmed Sulehri, DCAS (Ops), PAF and Maj Gen Sun Hong, Asstt Chf of Staff, PLAAF.<br>Gen Hong said, “The Ex will improve actual level of combat training & strengthen co-op between two Air Forces".<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAFShaheenIX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAFShaheenIX</a> <a href="https://t.co/piSoHarsJ7">pic.twitter.com/piSoHarsJ7</a></p>— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) <a href="https://twitter.com/DGPR_PAF/status/1336675830248796160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is the Ninth round of "Shaheen" series - An Air Exercise held every year in both countries alternately.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAFShaheenIX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAFShaheenIX</a> <a href="https://t.co/e3d77b7nOw">pic.twitter.com/e3d77b7nOw</a></p>— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) <a href="https://twitter.com/DGPR_PAF/status/1336678383195803650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Lonewarrior]