Air Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir's Interview
Islamabad, The News, September 5, 2001By Shakil Shaikh
Islamabad -- Pakistan Air Force has established a deterrent capability and has embarked on a well-considered strategy to modernise, which includes purchase of 52 aircraft, weapons, high level surveillance radars and replacing the depleting transport aircraft, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir has said.
"Any mischief from India is not possible. Our intentions should be known to the enemy, as the PAF can play the decisive role regardless of is smallness in size," the Air Chief said. "We are concentrating in those areas which hit the enemy worst so that it becomes unbearable to her, as we have to buy selected weapons, and go for modernisation in certain areas," he told a panel of The News/Jang publications.
The Air Chief, who assumed the command of the PAF last year, was interviewed for the first time on the occasion of Defence Day. The panel included Salim Bokhari, Executive Editor (The News Lahore), Shakil Shaikh, Chief Reporter (The News Islamabad/Rawalpindi) and Farooq Aqdas, Editor Reporting (Jang Islamabad/Rawalpindi).
He said even in the worst circumstances funds were provided to the PAF for buying 52 more Chinese aircraft. "Our fleet is much more potent than it was five years back. We are in the process of receiving 46 F7-PG aircraft from China to replace our old F-6 aircraft.
In the same tone, he said: "We are also inducting new high level radars to enhance our surveillance capability. Our planning is to conduct such roles/missions which yield strategic effects for our military operations."
He sounded that efforts are continuing to evaluate and acquire the new higher-tech equipment whenever the resources and political conditions allow. "We have selected Mirage 2000-5 as our next hi-tech fighter but prevailing economic constraints and political situation remained major hindrances."
Showering praise on those who started modernisation programme of the existing fleet ahead of India, he said the PAF modernisation programme has now matured and it will complete in a year or so, though the Indians will have to take at least 3 to 5 years when they will achieve some effectiveness. "Indian plan is in transit. Pakistan is buying 52 aircraft, weapons, radars, high level surveillance radars and replacing the depleting transport aircraft."
He said: "Our intentions should be known to the enemy, as the PAF can play the decisive role regardless of its size." He was referring to the efforts he has launched for a smart planning, training and development programmes in the PAF. When asked, he said despite stoppage of commercial contracts, the PAF is still flying US equipment, though the FMS sanctions were imposed in 1989. "Release of F-16 was a political decision of the US, though F-16 is a potent system and we want to make the force a potent force and a decision was taken to induct 71 F-16s."
He said the USSR invasion of Afghanistan and its collapse changed the political scenario of South Asia with new set of sanctions imposed after May 28 nuclear explosion. "F-16 is a capable aircraft in Indo-Pak scenario," he believed. He termed the F-16 fleet as a most valued fleet, though the number of
F-16 aircraft has been reduced. He claimed that 30 Mirages are equivalent to F-16 fleet as so far their avionics are concerned plus its their modernization programme with Italian radars fitted on it. "It has added new offensive capability in the PAF fleet, as the Mirages modernization programme would be completed in June 2002," he said. "If you start playing games on Pentium-3 computers, that's up to you. But being a professional man, I do not believe in number or size of the force but its capability," said CAS Mushaf Mir.
"We are establishing deterrence at all levels, though Americans are supplying weapons to India through proxy as India is buying huge military weapons from Israel," he said: "Events put us slightly behind, but we are still better than India."
He said India has gone for AWACs now and are running some trials, but have not yet finalized the deal. "We had almost finalized AWACs deal with Ericson of Sweden in 1992, but our nuclear explosion forced Sweden to walk away, though the MOU was ready to be signed." He said Pakistan does not want to pick up every thing, which is available, but to wait for a right moment and for a right thing.
CAS Mushaf Mir said the President is totally supportive of the Air Force and told the people that his first and foremost priority is the air force. "We have lot of hopes that our traditional friends will help us in coming years even in the areas of some of the technologies we were only getting from western sources," said the CAS.
He also explained the incident of shooting down Pakistan Navy aircraft by India, as only the peacetime surveillance system was put in place and not the war time surveillance/radar system. He said a thirsty Indian air force commander, who had a serious setback in Kargil by losing several IAF aircraft, got into mysterious venture of shooting down a transport aircraft. If we were to plan together, he said, all the relevant agencies should have be brought together and such a thing would have been avoided.
Speaking about the nuclear explosions in 1998, the Air Chief said 24 to 48 hours before May 28, Pakistan deployed mobile observation units, F-16s, radars and day-night cap at Chaghai as it was a joint operation. "All different approaches were given protection day and night before May 28 nuclear explosion."
"Nuclear weapons are political and deterrence weapons," he believed, "Thresholds are maintained through very strong conventional force and economy." He said it is a balancing factor, but these are not weapons of warfare in his opinion. "Since use of nuclear weapons in '40s, the nuclear warfare has been a paper theory. Nuclear technology is being miniaturized to its limit so that its tactical uses is more justified."
On Tomahawk Cruise Missile attack on Afghanistan using Pakistan Air space, he said all the radars were not deployed and even if the US cruise missiles were detected Pakistan was not in possession of an anti-missile system. "I think the coming decade will see different trends, as there is controversy over new missile systems," he added.
On accountability in the force, he said there is an effective accountability only in the armed forces. He cited some examples of accountability in which the service people were punished but the civilians got bail and were never punished. There were only one per cent deserters in the force during a certain period of time but the ratio of civilian deserters was 25% who were not taken to task. "Punishment in the forces is very prompt."
Asked about contracts awarded by the PAF, CAS Mushaf Mir said: "How can I provide details of contracts to any one, as these were not signed during my tenure." He added: "Contracts are signed in other departments." NAB has got information from DP division and "I do not know what kind of probe they are conducting."
Following part of the interview was conducted in written question-answer form:
Q: Since you were appointed CAS by superseding several senior officials, what was your response to this new challenge and whether you were expecting this decision at all?
A: While the appointment came unexpected, my response was one of thanks to the Almighty and a personal resolve to devote each moment of my tenure to transform the PAF into a more efficient and hard hitting force.
Q: Given the bright professional history of the PAF littered with historic successes by giving the enemy bitter lessons, where do you place PAF as a fighting machine amongst the top air forces of different countries?
A: The PAF, by the grace of God, is one of the best fighting air forces. It is a force of dedicated, well trained and highly professional officers and men. However, not thriving on the glories of the past, we will have to work harder to remain relevant to the objectives of our national defence policy.
Q: What kind of new professional touch, with discipline and preparedness you have introduced since you assumed command of the force last year?
A: Selection based on pure merit and right man for the right job are cornerstones of my manner of working. I also believe that personal involvement; thorough planning and execution of policies with timely follow up actions are vital for accruing desired goals.
Q: In the context of future regional security scenario, what would be the future strategy and combat readiness of the force to counter any threat?
A: In the last two decades starting from USSR's invasion of Afghanistan, American's loss of interest in Pakistan after the Soviet departure from Afghanistan and lastly the application of sanctions on Pakistan after the nuclear explosions in the sub-continent, the regional security has seen a sea of change. In such a changing environment the PAF has made vital contribution in the past and we continue to prepare harder to meet any eventuality in the future also.
Q: Several years have gone by since new combat aircraft were inducted in the PAF fleet except some squadrons of old Mirages, do you feel any handicap of disparity in the area of hi-tech super-duper fighter aircraft is on the rise vis-a-vis India?
A: Due to sanctions, procurement of hi-tech aircraft is not possible. Latest acquisition plans of the IAF are a source of concern for us but we have a national decision of maintaining the desired minimum credible force level to avoid indulging in an arms race during this period of our economic crisis. Within the sources available we are endeavouring to enhance our operational capabilities in selected areas to ensure that the said levels of deterrence are not allowed to be lowered.
Q: India has been found engaged in shopping of new versions of Sukoi aircraft (Su-30) from Russia and other sources, and upgrading IAF fleet. Is there any threat Indians are expected to pose to Pakistan in the first decade of the new century?
A: IAF, with its new shopping list and modernisation programmes would not only pose a bigger threat to Pakistan but also to other nations of this region.
Q: The PAF has studied international market to decide what fighter planes will suit it the most. This study has consumed several years. Has it been decided now which fighter plane would it buy to meet future challenges?
A: Military acquisitions are a matter of availability of the desired equipment, favourable political climate and the size of the purse you carry. I will leave it to you to work out our options under the prevailing conditions.
Q: Is it true that Americans are dropping mixed signals to restore or not the supply of US equipment to Pakistan. What is your assessment as to whether US embargo on military hardwares would be eased or not in the coming years or under the Bush administration?
A: The exact assessment should be sought from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however I feel that the United States would understand Pakistan's compulsions and treat us fairly in the coming years.
Q: It is true that the Super-7 project would be a reality within couple of years and how is Pakistan going to take advantage of this aircraft?
A: Yes. The Super-7 is very much our future medium tech aircraft. The first proto type would be ready to fly by June 2003. It would, Inshallah prove to be a potent aircraft, which will enable us to replace most of our low and medium-tech aircraft.
Q: The PAF has been training and providing technical assistance to many Arab and Islamic countries in the past. Why has that cooperation slowed down now and do you plane to revitalize relations with air forces of friendly Islamic countries?
A: We still have very cordial relations with the Arab and Islamic countries. Their erstwhile dependence on us has naturally reduced since their air forces have grown and developed over the years. However, new areas of co-operation are regularly explored and necessary help provided where asked for.
Q: Most of the time we talk about indigenous production of military hardwares, what success you have achieved in that area so far?
A: Indigenous production or self-reliance is a national goal. PAF with the help of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra and other Defence production units have achieved a definite degree of self-reliance in certain fields. Overhauling of our combat fleet of aircraft, radars and electronic sensors is our achievement in this direction. Also manufacture of Mushshak aircraft, major parts of K-8 aircraft and later on manufacture of Super-7 aircraft indicate PAF as well as government resolve for self reliance.
Q: Since blocking of F-16 delivery to Pakistan and the inventory of combat aircraft being squeezed with each year passing, have we found a replacement of F-16 multi role aircraft or still making efforts to find a source for buying new version multi role fighter planes?
A: We had selected Mirage 2000-5 as our next hi-tech fighter but prevailing economic constraints and political situation then remained major hindrances. Efforts are continuing to evaluate and acquire the new- higher tech equipment whenever the resources and political conditions allow.
Q: What is your assessment on aerial war, if it occurs in the foreseeable future, with India given the fleet strength or both the countries, capabilities of the forces and the professionalism?
A: As I said earlier, PAF is endeavouring hard to maintain a minimum level of force and keeping it potent by effective modernization and very realistic training. PAF is capable of playing a pivotal role both in the strategic as well as the tactical realms. Above all our faith will prove equal to the task.
Q: How potent, agile and responsive is the PAF or are you planning to make its punch more effective and how are you going to do it?
A: Our fleet is much more potent than it was five years back. We are in the process of receiving 46 F7-PG aircraft from China to replace our old F-6 aircraft. We are also inducting new high level radars to enhance our surveillance capability. Our planning is to conduct such roles / missions which yield strategic effects for our military operations.
Q: What can you tell us about PAF exercises and training programmes and welfare projects of the force in the future, if any?
A: Next month PAF along with Army and Navy would be trying a number of new concepts in air warfare in a command level exercise named High Mark-2001. We are making continuous efforts to provide adequate facilities to our personnel during their service and also after retirement.
Q: Since you are leading a comparatively new team in the PAF, what would be your planning to further polish its professional skill in the future?
A: It may be comparatively new but it is more educated, dynamic and pragmatic. The selection has strictly been on merit and suitability for the post. In a short time most of them have come up to my expectations and are helping me in making good decision and running the air force effectively.
