PAF’s wargames Highmark-2005
Falcons mark aims in the sky

CHAKLALA AIR BASE (Rawalpindi)—Pakistan Air Force would undertake one of its largest exercises — Highmark 2005 — spanned over four weeks, involving its entire men and fleet to test new doctrines amidst changed regional and global realities from Sunday.
“We will check our capabilities to respond to threats in an environment that has changed considerably in the past ten years”, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Shehzad Aslam Chaudhry told newsmen at the Air Headquarters on Thursday.
The Pakistan Air Force held its last major exercise in 1995, as later planned exercises were not held due to rapidly changing situation in the region, particularly after Indian and Pakistan’s nuclear test in 1998, the 9/11 and the stand off with India in 2002.
“The PAF has upgraded its aircraft, avionics, weapon systems, ground based radars and now it is time to test these”, Chaudhry said.
When asked whether the ten-year gap has affected its preparedness, the DCAS said in fact the PAF has been in a higher state of readiness since Pakistan tested its nuclear devices, as a reaction to similar tests by India.
He said during the around a year-long stand off with India, the PAF’s deployment was a real test of its capabilities. He said the peace provided an opportunity to check the preparedness level.
The exercise follows a war game ‘Tempest-1’, which had focussed upon employment concepts of air power by PAF, but differs with the rest of air in terms of duration, intensity and complexity of air operations.
The DCAS said the PAF has also been testing its Air to Air Missiles regularly besides other weaponry at different firing ranges in Tilla, Thal and Somiani.
He said the Air Force has been adapting to the changes as the concept of air-power has completely transformed the way future wars would be fought.
He said there have been considerable changes in the geo-political environment and the PAF’s doctrines aim at defending country’s aerial frontiers from any adversary.
To a question about PAF’s capabilities if confronted with a traditional rivals, he said despite having old aircraft, the Force is capable enough to defend country’s sovereignty and security.
When asked about the announcement by the US that two F-16 aircraft would be given to Pakistan, he said, over the time different requests were made to the US for these aircraft.
He said the two F-16 are similar to the ones the PAF is using and have been delivered free of cost.
He said talks for sale of 75 F-16 was underway.
During the exercise PAF aircraft will fly 8200 sorties in a three-stage exercise to be staged in the Northern Areas of Skardu, Gilgit, Chillas to the Central plains and in the South touching the Arabian sea.
He said High Mark-2005 is designed to validate some of PAF’s operational concepts and will therefore bring out useful analysis for steering future force employment concepts as well as shaping training contours of future air combatants.
The scenario of the exercise simulates two opposing forces Blueland and Foxland, each employed in both offensive and defensive operations.
The PAF’s aircraft; the American F-16 would fly in a air- superiority role in both offensive and defensive roles, the French Mirages in an a ground support role, the Chinese A-5’s would support the army, while the mainstay would be the Chinese F-7P/PG type of aircraft would be in air defence role.
To a question, the DCAS said the prototype of the Sino-Pak jointly produced JF-17 Thunder would not be participating in the exercise as it was still in test and trial phases. He said the aircraft would be inducted in the PAF by 2007.
He said the transport and helicopter fleets would fully participate throughout the exercise, while units of Army and Navy will join to provide realistic operational scenarios.
The DCAS said the exercise took around a year of planning and all operational concepts were discussed threadbare at the highest level.
He said President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz were fully involved and would also visit to see the progress.
He said the political and military leadership have reposed their full confidence in the PAF’s ability to undertake this momentous task with complete professionalism.
The deal for supply of 75 — F-16 — aircraft by the US to Pakistan is still on cards and would be supplied as soon as the modalities are finalized, said a senior officer of Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
“Deal for supply of F-16 aircraft with the US is very much there and very soon we will reach the stage to finalize it,” said Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Shehzad Aslam Chaudary while briefing newsmen at Chaklala airbase on upcoming PAF’s exercise — Highmark-05.
He said the US is aware of the PAF’s requirements and it will supply the aircraft as per their earlier commitment, he said.
He said the US had offered supply of two F-16 aircraft free of charge to Pakistan, as a good will gesture, and these would reach here by end this year. These aircraft are not part of the deal being carried out with the US for supply of 75 aircraft, he added.
When asked to comment on the supply of 8 aircraft of C-130 make, he said, the delivery of these cargo aircraft was delayed due to some technical reasons as these were to overhaul prior to the delivery. However, “ we are monitoring the day-to-day progress of the overhaul work and these will be delivered to us as soon as the necessary repair job is accomplished”.
Responding to another query, he said, the aircraft being manufactured by Pakistan with the help of China — JF-17 “Thunder” — would be inducted in the PAF fleet in 2007 as the work on it’s prototype is in progress at a pace.
“We don’t foresee any impediment on its production path,” he said adding China had already struck a deal for supply of their engines while this would carry Chinese made avionics.
After their induction in the PAF, the needs of the country’s air force in the Medium Tech sector aircraft would be accomplished, he said.—PR