Pakistan Air Force validates fighter operations from motorways
By IANSFriday, April 2, 2010
ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Friday successfully validated its concept of fighter operations from motorways and highways when its two fighter aircraft landed on a motorway.
The historic landmark was achieved as part of the ongoing High Mark-2010 exercise.
After landing, the aircraft were refuelled, rearmed and re-launched, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
While the point where the two aircraft touched down was not specified, it was believed to be somewhere on the Islamabad-Lahore motorway or that linking the capital with Peshawar.
High Mark-2010, launched March 15, is the PAF’s biggest war game in five years and covers the the entire country from Skardu in the north till the Arabian Sea in the south.
According to a PAF spokesman, “the ever changing geo-political environment in the region demands change in the employment concepts and doctrinal changes in the application of air power with emphasis on joint operations.
“High Mark-2010 would provide the PAF an opportunity to validate these concepts that are vital for the overall defence of the country,” he added.
To this end, the spokesman said, High Mark-2010 is aimed at conducting operations in a near-realistic tactical environment while integrating new inductions and providing role-oriented training to the combat and support elements of the force.
“The exercise is designed to achieve stipulated objectives with special emphasis on exposing PAF combat crew to simulated air battles based on contemporary concepts,” he added.
The exercise includes joint operations with extensive participation from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy that would further enhance joint operations, integration and cooperation amongst the three services, the spokesman said.
New inductions like the JF-17 Thunder aircraft that has been jointly developed with China and force multipliers such as the Saab-2000 airborne early warning and control aircraft and air-to-air refuellers are participating in the exercise for the first time.
