Pakistan Air Force Air War College (AWC) is located in the busy and bustling city of Karachi. Its aim is to prepare selected officers for assumption of key command and staff appointments where they would be required to develop, manage and employ air power as a component of national security.

History: PAF Air War College, formerly PAF Staff College, was founded in 1958. Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan formally inaugurated the college in January, 1959. However, the changing environment due to geo-strategic compulsions, rapid diffusion of high technology in modern warfare and the experiences of the two wars (1965, 1971), PAF realized the need for a higher institution, exclusively devoted to the study of war and related matters. As such, in 1987 the Staff College was upgraded to the Air War College.

In 1993, Senior Command and Staff Course (SC&SC), having two components – correspondence course and resident course – was launched for mid-career PAF officers. Now, apart from the War Course, the college runs resident portion of SC&SC as well.

Educational Philosophy: Professional development, career advancement and an understanding of the employment of air power form the core of the college curriculum. The training stresses upon the development of reasoning and judgment rather than on recall and retention Members are provided conceptual framework, intellectual tools and various forms to comprehend, analyse and critically evaluate air power as a component of national security. The curriculum is designed to develop insight, broaden mental horizon and increase the capacity to make correct decisions and formulate viable plans. Academic freedom encourages free discussion, uninhibited analysis and evaluation and originality of thought and expression. As such, a policy of non-attribution, whereby views expressed at the college remain confined to its portals. Is followed.

Faculty: Faculty members of AWC highly qualified and experienced officers. They have vast field experience. Two professors from the University of Karachi, who are regular members of the Board of Studies, assist the faculty in the formulation of academic policies and programmes.

Courses Offered:

Course contents:Strategic doctrines and theories, war studies, military history, national security, international relations, leadership, management, logistics and economics form the main features of the course curriculum. The subjects lead the members to better understanding of the employment of military power ingeneral and air power in particular.

Instructional Methodology: As the course is designed to be member-centered, only a few formal lectures are delivered by the college facility. Student presentations, guest lectures, seminars, discussions, individual and group research assignments, exercises on land, naval and air warfare and war games form the main tools of training.

Award of Degrees: The college is affiliated with the university of Karachi. After the completion of the Air War Course and subject to fulfilling all other conditions, the degree of M Sc in Strategic Studies is conferred on the members who hold B Sc (Hons) degree. The graduates of the Senior Command and Staff Course are awarded B Sc (Hons) in War Studies degree.

Study Tours: Inland tours are undertaken during the Land Warfare phase and Industrial and Economic Studies phase. A foreign study tour of three weeks in also organized to enable the members to comprehend and appreciate the power potentials, geo-strategic concerns and defence capabilities of the countries visited.

Guest Speakers: Apart from the specialist officers from the armed forces and other government and non government organizations, distinguished scholars from the universities, Pakistan Institute of Management, National Institute of Public Administration and other walks of life are invited to deliver lectures in their field of specialization. Exchange of views with the eminent scholars greatly helps in opening new vistas and broadening the mental horizon of the members.

Educational Facilities:

Extra-Curricular Activities: To help members, faculty and their families to get know one another, the college organizes a number of recreational activities. Annual fixtures against the Naval Staff College, Karachi, Command and Staff College, Quetta and National Defence College, Rawalpindi provide much-needed fun, frolic and diversion through intense contest and healthy competition.

Approach: AWC is the most easily assessable Institute of PAF. It is located on main Shera-e-Faisal and within 10 minutes drive from Karachi International Air Port and at equal distance from city alteration.

Selection Procedure for Foreign Students: Friendly countries desirous of training their students in Pakistan Air Force, Air War Collage should route their desires through Pakistan Services Attaches to the Joint Services Headquarters, Islamabad. For further details, Training Branch, Air Headquarters, Chaklala, Pakistan Air Force can be contacted.