PAF capable to meet all challenges: Air Chief

PAF mindful, equipped, and capable to meet all challenges: Air Chief

Sanctions not to harm Pakistan: Ex-servicemen

 

Rawalpindi: <April 26 >

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt on Thursday said PAF is mindful, equipped, and capable to meet all the challenges.

 

Quality of equipment, quality of training and above all the caliber of our men is source of great satisfaction and reassurance for the nation; we will come up to all the expectations, he said.

 

Chief of the Air Staff said that the nature of aerial warfare continues to become complex by the passage of every day and any future conflict would mean employment of the air power in a manner that has never been witnessed before.

 

PAF Chief Tahir Rafique Butt said this while meeting a delegation of Pakistan Ex-servicemen Society (PESS) led by Lt. Gen. (Retd) Faiz Ali Chishti.

 

Commodore M. Farooq Mirza, Sqn. Leader Liaquat Ali Ansari, Lt. Col M. Tariq Kamal and others were also present on the occasion.

 

Air Chief Marshall Tahir Rafique Butt said that the current situation is a test to our resolve; therefore we are improving operational training to meet the future challenges.

 

We are fully aware of the situation while remaining committed to make PAF second to none, he said adding that PAF was in the highest state of operational readiness.

 

PAF has inducted and operationalised all the latest weapon systems of fourth generation fighter aircraft including indigenously produced JF-17 Thunder Aircraft which are source of pride in various exercises and international air shows, he informed.

 

He added that other major inductions included Saab-2000 AEW&C, ZDK-03 AWACS, IL-76 air-to-air refuellers, and Spada-2000 Lomad systems.

 

New state-of-the-art  hardware, enhanced focus on exercises, revamping training system and other steps have enabled us to respond to the national security challenges with the highest state of operational preparations, said Butt.

 

Despite limitations, PAF with its talented human resource accomplished both the tasks in the most professional manner; he said adding that we are not only focusing on the development of existing human resource but also focusing on the welfare of retired officers and airmen.

 

Lauding the exceptionally dedicated services of the PESS, the Air Chief said that we will continue to support their cause.

 

At the occasion, the PESS delegation reposed confidence in the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff.

 

They said that we are not worried of any sanctions and such steps have not deterred us in past and have remained counterproductive.

 

Rather, sanctions have helped us in many ways, it will help us improve level of confidence take a new start, the former servicemen observed.

 

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Lt. Gen. (Retd) Faiz Ali Chishti, President, 051-5701287/8

Sq. Ldr. (Retd) Liaquat Ansari, VP, 0333-5166636

Lt. Col (Retd) M. Tariq Kamal, Sec. Gen, 0300-8542971, 051-5700541