Pak jets do ops on its highways
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s fighter jets have carried out take-off and landing sorties on highways as part of its operational readiness, an official statement said.
Pakistan has maintained high-level of alertness since the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest Jaish-e-mohammad training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26 following the Pulwama terrorist attack.
The PAF used multiple locations along different motorways and highways to perform offrunway operations. “The exercise was conducted to demonstrate the capability of PAF in being able to sustain high tempo air operations,” according to the statement. The jets were also refuelled and re-armed after the landing on motorways.
The PAF also shared a video clip showing jets landing at some undisclosed locations. Minister for Communications Murad Saeed and senior civil and military officials were also present during the exercise.
CHINA’S JETS TO JOIN PAK NATIONAL DAY
The J-10 fighter jets of the Chinese air force will participate in Pakistan’s National Day parade on March 23, state-media has reported. The J-10 fighter jets of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s Bayi Aerobatic Team arrived in Pakistan on Saturday in preparation for a flight per- formance there, Global Times reported.
Contingents from countries including China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will participate in the parade, with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad being the guest of honour.
Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of International Relations, told the daily that China sending fighter jets to celebrate Pakistan Day is symbolic of the f riendship between the two countries noting that Pakistan is an “allweather friend” of China.
Recently China announced plans to upgrade the JF-17 fighter jet being jointly produced by both the countries.