London: Pakistan Air Force plans to induct four airborne refullers, "an absolute new capability" creating "the right kind of deterrence" against the militants, the PAF chief has said.
"This is an absolutely new capability we are getting, which we are inducting. We never had this capability in the Pakistan Air force," Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman told the Jane's Defence Weekly.
The refuelling capability, Suleman said, is an "extremely significant" development.
The PAF's operations in Pakistan's restive northern areas, ranging from the northern Swat valley and its surrounding region, have been carried out mainly by some of the 45 US-supplied F-16 multirole fighter aircraft in Pakistan's inventory.
"These armed aircraft can stay for up to four, five, six hours in the area," Suleman said.
"During this time, if there is any militant attack anywhere in the FATA [Federally Administered Tribal Areas], these aircraft can go there immediately, within minutes, and they can bomb the militants. It will create the right kind of deterrence against the militants," he said.
Monday, August 24, 2009
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