No. 2 Minhas Squadron of Pakistan Air Force has been reequiped with JF-17 Thunder Block-II Fighter aircraft. Minhas Squadron of Pakistan Air Force is based on PAF Base Masroor which indicate that it me be tasked to perform maritime strike role.
The JF-17 Thunder fighter jet is armed with C-802A Anti-ship Missile for use against maritime targets such as warships from standoff distance of 180 kilometers. In maritime strike role JF-17 Thunder will be able to carry two SD-10A Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) and 2x PL-5E II Within Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (WVRAAM) for self-defense purposes.
PAF’s firepower demo marks precise hit at enemy targets
THAL RANGE, Apr 6 (APP): Making bomb runs with dive deliveries of
weapons and hitting at enemy’s mock bunkers, the fighter aircraft of
Pakistan Air Force on Tuesday demonstrated a high level of tactical
preparedness featuring speed, precision and strength.With thunderous
supersonic boom, the aircraft representing PAF’s fleet including F-16s,
JF-17 Thunder, Mirages and F-7 JP appeared in the blue skies during
PAF’s Firepower Demonstration at Thal Range, that spans over an area of
34,000 acres.
The demo started with two A-5 aircraft - one carrying a National Flag
and the other with a welcome banner, flew past the audience including
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, services chiefs, parliamentarians
and PAF officials. Two Mirage aircraft showcased the recently acquired aerial refuelling
from the IL-76 refueller, maintaining a skilful distance of just 13-26
metres from the tanker.
An F-16 aircraft flying at an ultra-low altitude and releasing chaff and
flares for self-defence, dropped two mark of 2,000 pound bombs at the
target, that received a loud applause by the audience. Four JF-17 thunder aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art avionics,
dropped their weapons at 1,900 feet, targeting the mock hideouts of
militants at 3 o’ clock position.
In an impressive performance, a Mirage aircraft flying at extremely low
200 feet, dropped its weapons at the enemy targets, while two F-16 at
250 km and maintaining a speed of 480 knots released two mark 84 bombs
of 2000 pounds, at the targets.
Four Mirage - the Night Hawks, capable of low level penetration,
allowing minimum time to the enemy and achieving surprise, dropped 5,000
pounds bombs. The weapons generated a high explosive effect against the
hardened bunkers. The H-2 weapon - a wide-range television guided missile, was dropped
by two Mirage aircraft at a mud platform, staying at 100-140 kms away
from the target, thus making it possible to create a lethal and precise
attack at far-off range.
The PAF’s Special Service Wing demonstrated the targeting of terrorists’
hideouts in their exercise. A C-130 demonstrated the air to container
delivery operation, while the MI 171 used as assault and anti-terrorist
aircraft, showed the direct action by commandoes of Pakistan Army who
landed swiftly from the aircraft and moved to the compound of
terrorists. The SAAB aircraft flew past the audience, that has a Airborne Early
Warning and Control System (AEW & CS) with a capability to see and
scan a target at 450 km distance.
In the end, the audience was enthralled as the ‘Sherdils’ - the
aerobatic team of PAF Academy RisalPur, with T-37 aircraft approached
emitting out red and green coloured fumes, and presented exquisite
maneuvers followed by a wing-over demo.
The entire exercise was carried out in a near real situation with an
objective of depicting fighter pilots’s capabilities of avoiding
collateral damage and inflicting maximum damage to the enemy targets.