List of Pakistan Air Force squadrons

Last updated

The following is a list of all active aircraft squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), sorted by type. Squadrons are listed by their current names and roles.

Contents

Aerial Refueling Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
No. 10 SquadronBullsMulti-role Tanker TransportAir Defence Command35 Composite Air Transport Wing15 August 1959 PAF Base Nur Khan Il-78MP [1]

Aerobatics Display Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
PAF Formation Aerobatics Team SherdilsAerobatics DisplayAir Defence CommandCollege of Flying Training17 August 1972 PAF Academy Asghar Khan K-8P
PAF Falcons FalconsAerobatics DisplayCollege of Flying Training1956 - 1966 PAF Base Mauripur F-86 Sabre
Paybills Aerobatics Display1952 - 1958 PAF Station Drigh Road Supermarine Attacker

Airborne Early Warning Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
No. 3 SquadronAngelsAEW&CNorthern Air Command33 Tactical Wing1 July 1957 PAF Base Minhas Saab 2000 Erieye [2]
No. 53 Squadron HawksAEW&CSouthern Air Command41 Tactical Wing1 July 2021 PAF Base Bholari Saab 2000 Erieye

Combat Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
No. 2 Squadron MinhasiansMulti-roleSouthern Air Command32 Tactical Attack Wing15 April 1956 PAF Base Masroor JF-17 [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
No. 5 Squadron FalconsMulti-roleSouthern Air Command39 Tactical Wing15 August 1947 PAF Base Shahbaz F-16C/D Block 52+ [3] [9]
No. 7 Squadron BanditsTactical AttackCentral Air Command38 MR WingJune 1960 PAF Base Mushaf Mirage III ROSE I
No. 8 Squadron HaidersMulti RoleSouthern Air Command32 TA Wing11 May 1960 PAF Base Masroor JF-17 Block lll [10]
No. 9 Squadron GriffinsMulti-role Central Air Command 38 MR Wing3 January 1944 PAF Base Mushaf F-16AM/BM [3] [11]
No. 11 Squadron ArrowsMulti-roleSouthern Air Command39 Tactical Wing1 January 1949 PAF Base Shahbaz F-16 AM/BM [12]
No. 14 Squadron Tail ChoppersAir SuperiorityCentral Air Command34 TA Wing1 November 1948 PAF Base Rafiqui JF-17 [13] [7] [8]
No. 15 Squadron CobrasMulti-roleNorthern Air Command33 Tactical Wing5 June 1955 PAF Base Minhas J-10C [3] [14]
No. 16 Squadron Black PanthersMulti-roleNorthern Air Command33 Tactical WingApril 1957 PAF Base Minhas JF-17 Block lll [15] [16]
No. 17 Squadron TigersAir SuperiorityNorthern Air Command36 TA Wing1 April 1957 PAF Base Peshawar F-7PG [3] [17]
No. 18 Squadron Sharp ShootersOperational ConversionSouthern Air Command41 Tactical Wing1 February 1958 PAF Base Bholari JF-17

JF-17B

[18] [19]
No. 19 Squadron SherdilsOperational ConversionSouthern Air Command41 Tactical Wing1 February 1958 PAF Base Bholari F-16 ADF [20]
No. 20 Squadron CheetasOfficers Conversion UnitNorthern Air Command37 CT Wing31 August 1981 PAF Base MM Alam F-7PG [3] [17]
No. 22 Squadron GhazisOperational ConversionSouthern Air Command31 TA WingJune 1984 PAF Base Rafiqui Mirage IIIEL/DL [21]
No. 26 Squadron Black SpidersMulti-roleNorthern Air Command36 TA Wing30 August 1967 PAF Base Peshawar JF-17 [22] [23]
No. 28 Squadron PhoenixesMulti-roleWestern Air Command31 AS Wing28 February 2018 PAF Base Samungli JF-17 [24] [25]

Combat Commanders' School Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
CCS F-16 Squadron (No. 29 Squadron)AggressorsAdvanced Air Combat Tactics Development & TrainingCentral Air CommandPAF Airpower Centre of Excellence16 July 1988 PAF Base Mushaf F-16A/B MLU [26] [27] [28]
CCS JF-17 SquadronDashingsAdvanced Air Combat Tactics Development & TrainingCentral Air CommandPAF Airpower Centre of Excellence26 January 2015 PAF Base Mushaf JF-17A/B [29] [30] [31] [27]
CCS Mirage SquadronSky BoltsAdvanced Air Combat Tactics Development & TrainingCentral Air CommandPAF Airpower Centre of Excellence5 May 1976 PAF Base Mushaf Dassault Mirage IIIEA, Dassault Mirage 5PA [26] [27]

Electronic Warfare Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
No. 24 Squadron BlindersEWCentral Air Command38 MR WingDecember 1962 PAF Base Mushaf Falcon 20

Search and Rescue Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
No. 81 Squadron KangaroosSARNorthern Air Command36 TA Wing1965 PAF Base Peshawar Alouette III [32]
No. 82 SquadronStallionsCombat SupportCentral Air Command38 MR Wing1967 PAF Base Mushaf AW139 [32]
No. 83 SquadronKitesSARCentral Air Command34 TA Wing1972 PAF Base Rafiqui Alouette III [32]
No. 84 SquadronDolphinsCombat SupportSouthern Air Command32 TA Wing1968 PAF Base Masroor AW139

Mi-171Sh

[32]
No. 85 SquadronSavioursSARSouthern Air Command31 AS Wing12 March 1968 PAF Base Samungli Alouette III [32]
No. 86 SquadronAbabeelSARNorthern Air Command37 Combat Training WingOctober 1983 PAF Base M. M. Alam Alouette III [32]
No. 87 SquadronDragonfliesSARNorthern Air Command33 Tactical WingJuly 1997 PAF Base Minhas Alouette III

Mi-171Sh

No. 88 Squadron RamsCombat SupportSouthern Air Command39 Tactical Wing PAF Base Shahbaz AW139 [33]

Training Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
No. 1 Squadron Rahbers Fighter Conversion Unit Northern Air Command37 Combat Training Wing28 April 1975 PAF Base M. M. Alam K-8P [34]
No. 18 Squadron Sharp ShootersOperational ConversionSouthern Air Command41 Tactical Wing1 February 1958 PAF Base Bholari JF-17

JF-17B

[35] [36]
No. 19 Squadron SherdilsOperational ConversionSouthern Air Command41 Tactical Wing1 February 1958 PAF Base Bholari F-16 ADF [37]
No. 20 Squadron CheetahsOperational ConversionNorthern Air Command37 Combat Training WingMarch 1956 PAF Base M. M. Alam F-7PG
No. 22 Squadron GhazisOperational ConversionSouthern Air Command32 TA WingJune 1984 PAF Base Masroor Mirage IIIEL/DL [38]
1 PFT SquadronPrimary TrainingAir Defence CommandPrimary Flying Training Wing1947 PAF Academy Asghar Khan Mushshak
2 PFT SquadronPrimary TrainingAir Defence CommandPrimary Flying Training Wing1947 PAF Academy Asghar Khan Mushshak
1 BFT SquadronBasic TrainingAir Defence CommandBasic Flying Training WingJuly 1974 PAF Academy Asghar Khan T-37B/C
2 BFT SquadronBasic TrainingAir Defence CommandBasic Flying Training WingJuly 1974 PAF Academy Asghar Khan T-37B/C
1 AJT Squadron Advanced TrainingAir Defence CommandAdvanced Jet Training Wing1994 PAF Academy Asghar Khan K-8P
Flying Instructors SchoolInstructor TrainingAir Defence Command College of Flying Training 15 April 1952 PAF Academy Asghar Khan T-37 [39]
Helicopter Flying Training SchoolHelicopter ConversionNorthern Air Command36 TA Wing1995 PAF Base Peshawar Alouette III [40]
Shooter Squadron LIFTNorthern Air Command37 Combat Training Wing11 December 2017 PAF Base M. M. Alam F-7P [41]
Transport Conversion SchoolTransport ConversionAir Defence Command35 Composite Air Transport WingApril 1975 PAF Base Nur Khan C-130 [42]

Transport Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
No. 6 Squadron AntelopesAir MobilityAir Defence Command35 Composite Air Transport Wing1 December 1942 PAF Base Nur Khan C-130B/E/L-100 [43]
No. 12 Squadron Burraqs VIP TransportAir Defence Command35 Composite Air Transport WingMarch 1950 PAF Base Nur Khan GIV-SP

Citation Excel

[44] [45]
No. 21 Squadron Globe TrottersAir TransportSouthern Air Command40 Air Mobility Wing15 November 2006 PAF Base Faisal C-130E

Saab 2000

[46] [47]
No. 41 Squadron AlbatrossVIP Light CommunicationAir Defence Command35 Composite Air Transport WingJune 1966 PAF Base Nur Khan Phenom 100

Y-12II

No. 52 Squadron MarkhorsAir TransportAir Defence Command35 Composite Air Transport Wing14 March 2020 PAF Base Nur Khan CN-235-220 [48]

Unmanned Squadrons

SquadronNicknameRoleCommandWingDate EstablishedBaseAircraftNotes
No. 60 SquadronPegasusReconnaissanceNo. 42 WingApril 2007 PAF Base Murid GIDS Shahpar [49]
No. 61 SquadronArmed reconnaissanceNo. 42 WingApril 2007 PAF Base Murid NESCOM Burraq, Shahpar-I
No. 62 SquadronHoopoes ISR & OCU No. 42 WingSeptember 2003 PAF Base Murid Selex ES Falco
No. 63 SquadronHarriers ISR Northern Air Command10 August 2021 PAF Base MM Alam CAIG Wing Loong II
No. 64 SquadronISONorthern Air CommandNo. 42 WingMarch 2022 PAF Base Murid Bayraktar TB2
No. 65 SquadronKnightsMulti-roleNo. 42 WingMarch 2023 PAF Base Murid Bayraktar Akinci

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. Warnes, Alan (July 2010). "On The Edge". Air Forces Monthly (July 2010). United Kingdom: Key Publishing Limited: 56. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010. Last year saw the delivery of the first Il-78 Midas air-to-air refueller and also the first Russian aircraft into the inventory – hence the R in front of the serial. The newly established 10 Multi Role Tanker Transport Sqn at Chaklala operates the aircraft, which will be joined by a second example.
  2. Warnes, Alan (July 2010). "On The Edge". Air Forces Monthly (July 2010). United Kingdom: Key Publishing Limited: 59. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010. After years of trying to acquire a much needed airborne early warning platform, Pakistan's first Saab 2000 Erieye was officially inducted into service, with 13 Squadron, on December 29, 2009. A second example followed in late April and the third and fourth will follow by the end of the year.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Umair Aslam (4 February 2022). "Pakistan Air Force Conducts National Air Defense Exercise". DefenseTalks.com.
  4. "Pakistan's PAF Re-equip Squadron No 2 Minhas With JF-17". Archived from the original on 21 November 2015.
  5. Pike, John. "Squadron". globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 2016-12-29.
  6. Dawn.com, APP (20 August 2015). "44 years ago today: Rashid Minhas takes his plane down for Pakistan". dawn.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018.
  7. 1 2 Herk, Hans van (11 November 2020). "Pakistan JF-17 Thunder unit shuffles". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  8. 1 2 "Pakistan JF-17 Thunder unit shuffles". 11 November 2020.
  9. "Pakistan receives last batch of F-16 combat jets". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  10. Gp Capt SULTAN M HALI. "B-57 THE INTREPID BOMBER OF PAF". Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  11. "9 sqn "Griffins" (PAF)". www.f-16.net. Archived from the original on 29 June 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
  12. "F-16 Units - PAF 11th squadron". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  13. Dawn.com (2017-02-16). "PAF No.14 'Tail choppers' Squadron re-equipped with JF-17 Thunder jets". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  14. "Six China-made J-10C jets inducted into PAF". Dawn. 12 March 2022.
  15. "Pakistan's air Black Panthers received JF-17 Block 3 killers". 2023-03-01. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  16. "JF-17 build-up progresses". 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  17. 1 2 "Final Salute to F-6". Archived from the original on 2008-03-26. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
  18. "PAC Kamra rolls out final 14 JF-17B fighters for Pakistan Air Force". Janes.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  19. "[image]". encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com.
  20. "Pakistan receives first five F-16s from Jordan". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  21. "PAF pays tribute to martyrs, ghazis of 1971 war". 14 December 2021.
  22. "No. 26 Squadron PAF Re-Equips with JF-17". Pakistan Air Force Official Website. Archived from the original on 2022-08-26. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  23. Warnes, Alan (July 2011). "JF-17 – Thunder from the East". Air Forces Monthly (#280). Key Publishing: 47–70.
  24. "PAF remembers creation of JF-17-equipped No 28 MR Squadron". Tribune.pk. 1 March 2022.
  25. "PAF raises new JF-17 squadron at Samungli". geo.tv. Archived from the original on 2018-03-01.
  26. 1 2 Pakistan Air Force, The Story of the Pakistan Air Force 1988-1998: A Battle Against Odds, Islamabad: Shaheen Foundation, 2000 (p. 290)
  27. 1 2 3 "Orbats".
  28. "Pakistan tries to flex muscles; Creates PAF's "Aggressor Squadron" along the border with India in the Mushaf area". 20 March 2019.
  29. "Pride of Pakistan JF-17 Thunder inducted into PAF CCS". The Nation. 2015-01-27. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  30. "JF-17 Thunder aircraft inducted in PAF Combat Commanders' School". 26 January 2015.
  31. "JF-17 Thunder inducted in PAF Combat Commanders School | SAMAA".
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "No. 81-86 Squadrons of PAF". GlobalSecurity.org.
  33. "PAF's No 88 squadron equipped with Augusta helicopters - Associated Press of Pakistan". Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2018-03-05.
  34. "Re-equipment Ceremony of No 1 FCU, held at PAF Base Mianwali, Islamabad". Pakistan Air Force. Archived from the original on 2012-04-30.
  35. "PAC Kamra rolls out final 14 JF-17B fighters for Pakistan Air Force". Janes.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  36. "[image]". encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com.
  37. "Pakistan receives first five F-16s from Jordan". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  38. "PAF pays tribute to martyrs, ghazis of 1971 war". 14 December 2021.
  39. "Flying Instructors School (FIS)". www.joinpaf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  40. "Helicopter Flying Training School". www.joinpaf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  41. "Air Chief Inaugurates Shooter Squadron at PAF Base MM ALAM". Pakistan Air Force Official Website. 11 December 2017. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  42. "Transport Conversion School". www.joinpaf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  43. "No. 6 Squadron 75th Anniversary (PAF Events)". Pakistan Air Force Official Website. Archived from the original on 2022-08-26. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  44. "DGPR Pakistan Air Force". Instagram (Press release). 22 August 2021.
  45. Group Captain (R) Husseini & Pakistan Air Force. PAF over the Years (Revised ed.). Directorate of Media Affairs, Pakistan Air Force.
  46. "PAF's cargo ship participates in International Air Tattoo show". Khyber News . 2017-07-13.
  47. Air Cdre (Rtd.) Muhammad Ali & S.Khalil (29 November 2021). "Jinnah's Legacy A Tale of Burraqs'". Second To None. Directorate of Media Affairs Pakistan Air Force. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  48. S.Khalil (13 February 2021). "Markhors:New Beginnings". Second To None. Directorate of Media Affairs Pakistan Air Force. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  49. Khan, Farhat; Hashmi, Qadeer (2024). History of the Pakistan Air Force (2014-2023): The Next Generation Air Force (1st ed.). ISBN   978-969-7518-01-2.