Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan said that today’s warfare successful accomplishment depends on effective vision and fusion. Air Chief was addressing the graduation ceremony of No. 54 Combat Commanders’ Course held at Airpower Centre of Excellence (ACE), PAF. While referring to successful operation Swift Retort, the Air Chief maintained that the lessons of Operation Swift Retort are a manifestation of our operational training in realistic scenarios. He advised the officers while saying, ‘you have to be cognizant and be aware of our adversaries, what they are inducting. Pakistan Air Force has always remained at forefront of the country’s defense and displayed exceptional state of courage, professionalism, and readiness in the hour of need. Although, the technological edge is an important factor in achieving any goal however, the man using this latest technology is more important than the technical gadget, which could not act at its own. PAF Engineers and ground crews are those unsung heroes who keep the PAF fighter jets serviceable and ready for any mission around the clock, whereas fighter Pilots are our those heroes who expose their lives to risks and rule over the skies of the Country. Pakistan Air Force had never faced any scarcity of our brave and courageous Pakistani youth volunteering to join the PAF as fighter pilot to serve their motherland. The Air Chief rightly said that current warfare is a combination of vision and fusion, both vision and fusion come through state of the art and comprehensive training of our fighting arm and technical staff. Pakistan Air Force had put its utmost efforts in training its manpower and fully implemented the principle that “it is not gun but man behind the gun who fights a war.” On other hand, if we come to vision, PAF had clearly charted out its priorities based on its future objectives and available resources. Pakistan has no offensive designs against any nation of the world, therefore, PAF remained focused to defend the country’s skies, Support Pakistan Army and Navy in their ground and Sea mission. Due to reason, PAF’s shopping list limited to single engine multirole fighter Aircraft instead of twin engine fighter jets, However, it gave due importance to Electronic warfare and air defense system. PAF always maintained balance of power with its rival Indian Air Force by keeping a higher qualitative edge. After severely effected by United States Pressler amendment during 1990s, PAF leadership had made valuable efforts for modernization and manufacturing of aircrafts and related equipment with the help of China.
Presently, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is manufacturing light aircraft Mushaq, K-8, multirole fighter jet JF-17 aircrafts and ambitiously achieving the goal of self-sufficiency in this field.
PAF has successfully demonstrated its vision, fusion and professionalism during Operation “Swift Retort” when it challenged the Indian Air Force in broad day light and successfully conducted its mission inside Indian territory, and knocked down two Indian fighter jets in dogfight over the LoC. Pakistan Air Force has prepared itself for the challenges of 21st Century during recent years and fully capable and ready to thwart any potential threat to the country. Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan had displayed a dynamic leadership during his tenure and refresh the memories of his predecessors Air Marshal Asghar Khan and Air Marshal Nur Khan date back to 1965. The Successful Operation Swift Retort is a proudful accomplishment of our valiant Air Force and a golden chapter of the PAF history.
