The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces, tasked primarily with the aerial defence of Pakistan, with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy when required, and a tertiary role of providing strategic airlift capability to Pakistan. As of 2024, as per the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the PAF has more than 70,000 active-duty personnel. PAF stands as the eight largest Air Force in the world. PAF is the largest Air Force of the Muslim world in terms of aircraft fleet. Its primary mandate and mission is "to provide, in synergy with other inter-services, the most efficient, assured and cost effective aerial defence of Pakistan." Since its establishment in 1947, the PAF has been involved in various combat operations, providing aerial support to the operations and relief efforts of the Pakistani military. Under Article 243, the Constitution of Pakistan appoints the President of Pakistan as the civilian Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), by statute a four-star air officer, is appointed by the President with the consultation and confirmation needed from the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The Dassault Mirage 5 is a French supersonic attack aircraft/fighter-bomber designed by Dassault Aviation during the 1960s and manufactured in France and other countries. It was derived from Dassault's popular Mirage III fighter and spawned several variants of its own, including the IAI Kfir. In Pakistan's service, the Mirage 5s are modified and are capable of nuclear weapons delivery.
Project ROSE was a program by the Pakistan Air Force to upgrade the avionics of its ageing Dassault Mirage III and Mirage 5 fighter jets. These had originally been built either by Dassault Aviation in France, or by the Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) in Australia. The program, based at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, focused on upgrading the military avionics and onboard computer systems, with equipment supplied variously by Pakistani Margella Electronics, French SAGEM and Italian SELEX consortia.
No. 9 Squadron, named the Griffins, is a Pakistan Air Force fighter squadron assigned to the No. 38 Multi-Role Wing of the PAF Central Air Command. The squadron is stationed at PAF Base Mushaf, Sargodha. It was the PAF's first fighter squadron and has been commanded by seven Chiefs of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force. The squadron crest is a red griffin which suggests strength, aggressiveness, and vigilance. Scrolls around the squadron crest display the battle honours Sargodha 65 and Karachi 71.The Griffins are considered as the PAF's most elite unit as well as its most senior.
No. 11 Squadron, named the Arrows, is a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter squadron assigned to the No. 39 Multi-Role Wing of the PAF Southern Air Command. It operates the Block 15 MLU model of the F-16 Fighting Falcon with a multi-role tasking and is also an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).
The history of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) began when it was established in 1947 following the independence of Pakistan.
The No. 24 Electronic Warfare Squadron, nicknamed the Blinders, is an electronic warfare unit of the Pakistan Air Force equipped with DA 20EW Faclons. It is the PAF's only Electronic Warfare squadron and undertakes EW, ECM and ESM missions while also training Pilots, Air Defense controllers and engineering officers in EW environments.
No. 7 Squadron, nicknamed the Bandits, is a tactical attack squadron of the Pakistan Air Force. Which is under the No. 38 Tactical Attack wing.
The No. 26 Squadron, nicknamed the Black Spiders, is a multi-role squadron of the Pakistan Air Force's Northern Air Command. It is currently based at Peshawar Airbase and operates the PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jets.
The Central Air Command (CAC) is one of six Major Commands in the Pakistan Air Force, reporting to the Air Headquarters at Islamabad. It is the forefront command of the PAF which handles operational activities near the Indian borders in Pakistan's Punjab province. Central Air Command is headquartered at PAF Base Lahore in the provincial capital of Lahore.
The No. 15 Squadron, nicknamed Cobras, is a tactical attack squadron of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The Squadron is currently based at PAF Base Minhas in Kamra, Punjab, Pakistan and equipped with Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter jets. The Squadron also carries the honour of achieving the first kill for the PAF.
No. 8 Squadron, nicknamed the Haiders, is a tactical attack squadron from the No. 32 TA Wing of the Pakistan Air Force's Southern Air Command. It is currently deployed at Masroor Airbase and operates the JF-17C Multi-role fighter.
The No. 14 Squadron, nicknamed Tail Choppers, is an air superiority squadron of the Pakistan Air Force's Central Air Command. It is one of PAF's most decorated squadrons which earned its nickname after a daring strike mission on the Kalaikunda Air Force Station during the 1965 War. Currently, the Squadron is deployed at PAF Base Rafiqui and operates the PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole aircraft.
The No. 25 Squadron, nicknamed Eagles, is a tactical attack squadron from the No. 34 Wing of the Pakistan Air Force's Central Air Command. It is currently deployed at Rafiqui Airbase and operates ROSE upgraded Dassault Mirage-5EF aircraft.
The No. 17 Squadron nicknamed Tigers, is an air superiority squadron of the Pakistan Air Force's Northern Air Command. It is currently deployed at Peshawar Air Base and operates the Chengdu F-7PG aircraft.
No. 20 Air Superiority Squadron nicknamed Cheetahs is a unit of the Pakistan Air Force established in 1956. It flies the Chengdu F-7PG Airguard jets and is based at PAF Base MM Alam. Initially formed as a photo reconnaissance flight at PAF Base Mauripur, the squadron has evolved over the decades, participating in significant missions and conflicts. It currently operates Chengdu F-7PG Airguard jets and is based at PAF Base MM Alam. The squadron has a rich history, including contributions to the demarcation of the China–Pakistan border, the World Bank's Indus Basin Project, and active roles in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars. After being disbanded in 1972 and reactivated in 1977, the squadron transitioned through various aircraft, including the Dassault Mirage IIIRP and Shenyang F-6, before adopting the Chengdu F-7P Skybolts and later the F-7PGs. The squadron celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2008 and continues to play a vital role in PAF's operational activities and exercises.
The No. 50 Tactical Attack Squadron nicknamed Saf Shikan is a flying unit of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) which operates ROSE-III upgraded Dassault Mirage-VEF strike fighters from PAF Base Minhas.
The No. 22 OCU also known by their nickname Ghazis is an Operational conversion unit of the Pakistan Air Force. Based at PAF Base Masroor, the squadron converts crews onto Dassault Mirage III and Mirage V jets.
Pakistan Air Force Base Sakesar abbreviated (PAF Base Sakesar), Urdu: پی اے ایف بیس سکیسر, is a radar base of the Pakistan Air Force situated in the center of Pakistan. Established at the highest point of the Soon Valley, the base is located 72 kilometres (45 mi) from Mianwali. The area including the base itself is a tourist attraction known for its lush green and cool environment.
The No. 18 Squadron is a combat and training unit of the Pakistan Air Force's Southern Air Command (SAC) which operates dual seater JF-17B Thunder multi-role jets out of PAF Base Bholari. The unit serves as an OCU which handles conversion of PAF fighter pilots onto the JF-17 fighter jet. Besides being the twin sibling of the PAF's famous 19 Squadron, it is also the sister squadron to the RJAF's No. 9 Squadron which declared in 1986 has been a sign of brotherly relations between the Jordan and Pakistan and their respective airforces.
Pakistan 
Pakistan Armed Forces 
Pakistan Air Force 
