There are two units operating the Chinese-built A-5 (No. 16 Sqn and No. 26 Sqn), an aircraft believed to be a leading candidate for the aerial delivery of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. The others are the Mirage IIIOs, Mirage IIIODs and Mirage IIIEs. The Pakistani Air Force, currently, operates some 156 Mirage (III & V) aircraft. The allocation of 90 of these aircraft is not, currently, known. Pakistan also has 74 F-16 Fighter aircraft—all block 15s. As of now, it recently received 2 block 15OCUs through Peace Gate 3/4 as a good-will gesture from the US Government in November 2006. All of these F-16s are capable of delivering nuclear warheads, they are split into 2 squadrons, both stationed at PAF Sargodha. It is rumoured that the 34 current PAF F-16s have been modified for nuclear weapons delivery by PAC, Kamra. Also, in the 1990s, the PAF F-16s have practised toss-bombing which is a method to deliver nuclear weapons. Pakistan prefers to use ballistic missiles and cruise missiles to deliver nuclear warheads because they have a much longer range than aircraft and do not need the airspace to be cleared of aircraft and SAMS.
In an attempt to modernize its Air Force, Pakistan has recently signed a deal for the purchase of 26 F-16 block 15OCUs that were under Peace Gate 3/4 and 60 MLU [2] kits for block 15s, AMRAAMs, LGBs, and various other missiles and bombs and other items, the purchase of 18 F-16 block 50/52+ [3] with an option of 18 more. If all options are exercised, this deal will cost US$5 billion. All of these F-16s will be capable of nuclear weapons delivery.
Also, by early 2007, the first 8 JF-17 Thunder aircraft [4] (FC-1s) will enter the PAF service. These are pre-production aircraft and more JF-17 Thunder aircraft will follow. These, too, will be capable of nuclear weapons delivery. Pakistan has also ordered 36 Chinese J-10s [5] for its airforce for a cost of $1.4 billion. Pakistan Air Force's desire to modernize its fleet is hampered by Pakistan's precarious economic condition.[6]
Pakistan has also recently tested its Babur cruise missile having a range of 500 km. Its design clearly appears to be influenced by the Tomahawk cruise missile of the US in terms of appearance and specifications. However Pakistan steadfastly stands by its claims of an indigenous design of the Babur. It is a ground-launched version and, according to the Pakistan Military sources, the submarine- and air-delivered versions are soon to follow.
In an attempt to modernize its Air Force, Pakistan has recently signed a deal for the purchase of 26 F-16 block 15OCUs that were under Peace Gate 3/4 and 60 MLU [2] kits for block 15s, AMRAAMs, LGBs, and various other missiles and bombs and other items, the purchase of 18 F-16 block 50/52+ [3] with an option of 18 more. If all options are exercised, this deal will cost US$5 billion. All of these F-16s will be capable of nuclear weapons delivery.
Also, by early 2007, the first 8 JF-17 Thunder aircraft [4] (FC-1s) will enter the PAF service. These are pre-production aircraft and more JF-17 Thunder aircraft will follow. These, too, will be capable of nuclear weapons delivery. Pakistan has also ordered 36 Chinese J-10s [5] for its airforce for a cost of $1.4 billion. Pakistan Air Force's desire to modernize its fleet is hampered by Pakistan's precarious economic condition.[6]
Pakistan has also recently tested its Babur cruise missile having a range of 500 km. Its design clearly appears to be influenced by the Tomahawk cruise missile of the US in terms of appearance and specifications. However Pakistan steadfastly stands by its claims of an indigenous design of the Babur. It is a ground-launched version and, according to the Pakistan Military sources, the submarine- and air-delivered versions are soon to follow.
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