No. 50 Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | Since December 2021 (2 years, 9 months) |
Country | Pakistan |
Allegiance | Pakistan Air Force |
Branch | GD(P)/Flying |
Type | Squadron |
Role | Tactical Attack |
Airbase | PAF Base Minhas |
Nickname(s) | Saf Shikan |
Anniversaries | 1 December (Foundation day) |
Aircraft flown | |
Attack | Dassault Mirage-VEF Rose-III |
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. [1] [2] [3]
The 50 Squadron was nicknamed Saf shikan which means Column penetrator in Persian/Urdu. The horse riding warrior on the insignia symbolizes the squadron's resolve to spearhead PAF's tactical operations and its ability to penetrate deep into enemy territory with stand-off weapons. [1]
When the PAF decided to acquire the Chengdu J-10CEs, the 15 Squadron was chosen to be equipped with it. The 15 squadron's previous fleet of PAC upgraded Mirage-VEF ROSE-IIIs were still capable enough in modern warfare and since the PAF high command wasn't in the favor of retiring them, the No. 50 Squadron was raised on 1st December 2021 to inherit all of the No. 15 Squadron's Mirages and related assets. [1] [4]
The Dassault Mirage III is a family of single/dual-seat, single-engine, fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by French aircraft company Dassault Aviation. It was the first Western European combat aircraft to exceed Mach 2 in horizontal flight, a feat which was achieved on 24 October 1958.
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.
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