National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal
Suhail Aman on Wednesday said that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is well
equipped and an updated force.
“Our feet are on ground,” he told a questioner while a brief
media chat here at Nur Khan Airbase on arrival of PAF’s C-130
aircraft that was awarded trophy in the prestigious Air Tattoo Show,
held recently in the UK.
He said PAF along with the other armed forces of the country
have proved the mettle to be the best potent force while effectively
taking up the tasks in operation Zarb-e-Azb.
The entire world had monitored PAF’s performance during Zarb-
e-Azb and is appreciative of the achievements made while executing
the operation, he said.
When asked to comment on the buying spree of modern aircraft
and inventory by the adversary, he said we are not worried about any
thing and are continuously observing the situation.
He said PAF is cognizant of the entire situation and efforts
are in hand to meet with the requirements in essential sectors.
Meanwhile under a phased plan, he said, the ageing fleet in
the PAF inventory is being replaced with the flying combating
machines of the modern era.
He said that PAF’s JF-17 (Thunder) aircraft is in high demand
at the international forums and efforts are in hand to comply with
the demand.
On the winning of trophy by PAF aircraft C-130 – Hercules –
at the World Air Tatoo Show held in UK, he said, the winning of
trophy speaks volume that the world understands Pakistan’s point of
view besides acknowledging its efforts in achieving peace in the
region.
He said the pictures painted on the exterior of the aircraft
not only depict the country’s commitment towards eradication of
terror but also projects its soft image in a forceful and effective
manner.
He said the operation provided ample opportunity to forge a
synergy that brought the armed forces of the country further closer
to take up the challenges in more effective and productive manner.
He said not only the armed forces of the country are united
but the entire nation is fully on their back in operation Zarb-e-
Azb.
Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff inspected the aircraft which
carried historical pictures of operation Zarb-e-Azb along with the
different stages achieved the aircraft itself during its last 55
years of flying.
The crew of the aircraft sharing experiences of the air show,
said that the participants of the show were highly appreciative to
the efforts of Pakistan armed forces in particular and people of
country in general for their resilience and steadfastness to meet
the challenges.
The aircraft carrying slogan “Nothing is beyond my reach” was
inducted in the PAF’s inventory during 1960. It had been kept flying
worthy since then out of sheer commitment and contributions made by
the engineers and technical staff of the PAF ground teams.