The following is a list of all active aircraft squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), sorted by type. Squadrons are listed by their current names and roles.
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 10 Squadron | Bulls | Multi-role Tanker Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | 15 August 1959 | PAF Base Nur Khan | Il-78MP | [1] |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAF Formation Aerobatics Team | Sherdils | Aerobatics Display | Air Defence Command | College of Flying Training | 17 August 1972 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | K-8P |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 3 Squadron | Angels | AEW&C | Northern Air Command | 33 Tactical Wing | 1 July 1957 | PAF Base Minhas | Saab 2000 Erieye | [2] |
No. 4 Squadron | Karakoram Eagles | AEW&C | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | 15 August 1959 | PAF Base Masroor | ZDK-03 | [3] [4] |
No. 53 Squadron | Hawks | AEW&C | Southern Air Command | 41 Tactical Wing | 1 July 2021 | PAF Base Bholari | Saab 2000 Erieye |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 2 Squadron | Minhasians | Multi-role | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | 15 April 1956 | PAF Base Masroor | JF-17A | [3] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] |
No. 5 Squadron | Falcons | Multi-role | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | 15 August 1947 | PAF Base Shahbaz | F-16C/D Block 52+ | [3] [10] |
No. 7 Squadron | Bandits | Tactical Attack | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | June 1960 | PAF Base Masroor | Mirage III ROSE I | |
No. 8 Squadron | Haiders | Tactical Attack | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | 11 May 1960 | PAF Base Masroor | JF-17C Block lll | [11] |
No. 9 Squadron | Griffins | Multi-role | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing | 3 January 1944 | PAF Base Mushaf | F-16AM/BM | [3] [12] |
No. 11 Squadron | Arrows | Multi-role | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | 1 January 1949 | PAF Base Shahbaz | F-16 AM/BM | [13] |
No. 14 Squadron | Tail Choppers | Air Superiority | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | 1 November 1948 | PAF Base Rafiqui | JF-17A | [14] [8] [9] |
No. 15 Squadron | Cobras | Multi-role | Northern Air Command | 33 TA Wing | 5 June 1955 | PAF Base Minhas | J-10C | [3] [15] |
No. 16 Squadron | Black Panthers | Multi-role | Northern Air Command | 33 Tactical Wing | April 1957 | PAF Base Minhas | JF-17C Block lll [16] | [17] |
No. 17 Squadron | Tigers | Air Superiority | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 1 April 1957 | PAF Base Peshawar | F-7PG | [3] [18] |
No. 25 Squadron | Eagles | Tactical Attack | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | January 1966 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage 5 ROSE II | [3] [19] [20] |
No. 26 Squadron | Black Spiders | Multi-role | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 30 August 1967 | PAF Base Peshawar | JF-17A | [21] [22] |
No. 27 Squadron | Zarrars | Tactical Attack | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | April 2007 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage 5 ROSE III | [23] |
No. 28 Squadron | Phoenixes | Multi-role | Western Air Command | 31 AS Wing | 28 February 2018 | PAF Base Samungli | JF-17A | [24] [25] |
No. 50 Squadron | Saf Shikan | Tactical Attack | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | 16 December 2021 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage 5PA | [26] |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CCS F-16 Squadron (No. 29 Squadron) | Aggressors | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 16 July 1988 | PAF Base Mushaf | F-16A/B MLU | [27] [28] [29] |
CCS JF-17 Squadron | Fierce Dragons | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 26 January 2015 | PAF Base Mushaf | JF-17A/B | [30] [31] [32] [28] |
CCS Mirage Squadron | Sky Bolts | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 5 May 1976 | PAF Base Mushaf | Dassault Mirage IIIEA, Dassault Mirage 5PA | [27] [28] |
CCS F-7PG Squadron (No. 23 Squadron) | Talons | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 16 March 1961 (transferred to CCS from 31 AS Wing (Western Air Command), PAF Base Samungli (Quetta) in February 2023) | PAF Base Mushaf | F-7PG/FT-7PG |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 24 Squadron | Blinders | EW | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing | December 1962 | PAF Base Mushaf | Falcon 20 |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 81 Squadron | Kangaroos | SAR | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 1965 | PAF Base Peshawar | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 82 Squadron | Stallions | Combat Support | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing | 1967 | PAF Base Mushaf | AW139 | [33] |
No. 83 Squadron | Kites | SAR | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | 1972 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 84 Squadron | Dolphins | Combat Support | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | 1968 | PAF Base Masroor | AW139 | [33] |
No. 85 Squadron | Saviours | SAR | Southern Air Command | 31 AS Wing | 12 March 1968 | PAF Base Samungli | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 86 Squadron | Ababeel | SAR | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | October 1983 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 87 Squadron | Dragonflies | SAR | Northern Air Command | 33 Tactical Wing | July 1997 | PAF Base Minhas | Alouette III | |
No. 88 Squadron | Rams | Combat Support | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | PAF Base Shahbaz | AW139 | [34] |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Squadron | Rahbers | Fighter Conversion Unit | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | 28 April 1975 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | K-8P | [35] |
No. 18 Squadron | Sharp Shooters | Operational Conversion | Southern Air Command | 41 Tactical Wing | 1 February 1958 | PAF Base Bholari | JF-17A | [36] [37] |
No. 19 Squadron | Sherdils | Operational Conversion | Southern Air Command | 41 Tactical Wing | 1 February 1958 | PAF Base Bholari | F-16 ADF | [38] |
No. 20 Squadron | Cheetahs | Operational Conversion | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | March 1956 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | F-7PG | |
No. 22 Squadron | Ghazis | Operational Conversion | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | June 1984 | PAF Base Masroor | Mirage IIIEL/DL | [39] |
1 PFT Squadron | Primary Training | Air Defence Command | Primary Flying Training Wing | 1947 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | Mushshak | ||
2 PFT Squadron | Primary Training | Air Defence Command | Primary Flying Training Wing | 1947 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | Mushshak | ||
1 BFT Squadron | Basic Training | Air Defence Command | Basic Flying Training Wing | July 1974 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37B/ C | ||
2 BFT Squadron | Basic Training | Air Defence Command | Basic Flying Training Wing | July 1974 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37B/ C | ||
1 AJT Squadron | Advanced Training | Air Defence Command | Advanced Jet Training Wing | 1994 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | K-8P | ||
Flying Instructors School | Instructor Training | Air Defence Command | College of Flying Training | 15 April 1952 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37 | [40] | |
Helicopter Flying Training School | Helicopter Conversion | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 1995 | PAF Base Peshawar | Alouette III | [41] | |
Shooter Squadron | LIFT | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | 11 December 2017 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | F-7P | [42] | |
Transport Conversion School | Transport Conversion | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | April 1975 | PAF Base Nur Khan | C-130 | [43] |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 6 Squadron | Antelopes | Air Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | 1 December 1942 | PAF Base Nur Khan | C-130B/ E/ L-100 | [44] |
No. 12 Squadron | Globe Trotters | VIP Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | March 1950 | PAF Base Nur Khan | GIV-SP | [45] [46] |
No. 21 Squadron | Burraqs | Air Transport | Southern Air Command | 40 Air Mobility Wing | 15 November 2006 | PAF Base Faisal | C-130E |
[47]
[48]
|
No. 41 Squadron | Albatross | VIP Light Communication | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | June 1966 | PAF Base Nur Khan | Phenom 100 | |
No. 52 Squadron | Markhors | Air Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | 14 March 2020 | PAF Base Nur Khan | CN-235-220 | [49] |
Last year saw the delivery of the first Il-78 Midas air-to-air refueller and also the first Russian aircraft into the inventory – hence the R in front of the serial. The newly established 10 Multi Role Tanker Transport Sqn at Chaklala operates the aircraft, which will be joined by a second example.
After years of trying to acquire a much needed airborne early warning platform, Pakistan's first Saab 2000 Erieye was officially inducted into service, with 13 Squadron, on December 29, 2009. A second example followed in late April and the third and fourth will follow by the end of the year.
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
The following is a list of all active aircraft squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), sorted by type. Squadrons are listed by their current names and roles.
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 10 Squadron | Bulls | Multi-role Tanker Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | 15 August 1959 | PAF Base Nur Khan | Il-78MP | [1] |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAF Formation Aerobatics Team | Sherdils | Aerobatics Display | Air Defence Command | College of Flying Training | 17 August 1972 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | K-8P |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 3 Squadron | Angels | AEW&C | Northern Air Command | 33 Tactical Wing | 1 July 1957 | PAF Base Minhas | Saab 2000 Erieye | [2] |
No. 4 Squadron | Karakoram Eagles | AEW&C | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | 15 August 1959 | PAF Base Masroor | ZDK-03 | [3] [4] |
No. 53 Squadron | Hawks | AEW&C | Southern Air Command | 41 Tactical Wing | 1 July 2021 | PAF Base Bholari | Saab 2000 Erieye |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 2 Squadron | Minhasians | Multi-role | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | 15 April 1956 | PAF Base Masroor | JF-17A | [3] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] |
No. 5 Squadron | Falcons | Multi-role | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | 15 August 1947 | PAF Base Shahbaz | F-16C/D Block 52+ | [3] [10] |
No. 7 Squadron | Bandits | Tactical Attack | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | June 1960 | PAF Base Masroor | Mirage III ROSE I | |
No. 8 Squadron | Haiders | Tactical Attack | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | 11 May 1960 | PAF Base Masroor | JF-17C Block lll | [11] |
No. 9 Squadron | Griffins | Multi-role | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing | 3 January 1944 | PAF Base Mushaf | F-16AM/BM | [3] [12] |
No. 11 Squadron | Arrows | Multi-role | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | 1 January 1949 | PAF Base Shahbaz | F-16 AM/BM | [13] |
No. 14 Squadron | Tail Choppers | Air Superiority | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | 1 November 1948 | PAF Base Rafiqui | JF-17A | [14] [8] [9] |
No. 15 Squadron | Cobras | Multi-role | Northern Air Command | 33 TA Wing | 5 June 1955 | PAF Base Minhas | J-10C | [3] [15] |
No. 16 Squadron | Black Panthers | Multi-role | Northern Air Command | 33 Tactical Wing | April 1957 | PAF Base Minhas | JF-17C Block lll [16] | [17] |
No. 17 Squadron | Tigers | Air Superiority | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 1 April 1957 | PAF Base Peshawar | F-7PG | [3] [18] |
No. 25 Squadron | Eagles | Tactical Attack | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | January 1966 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage 5 ROSE II | [3] [19] [20] |
No. 26 Squadron | Black Spiders | Multi-role | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 30 August 1967 | PAF Base Peshawar | JF-17A | [21] [22] |
No. 27 Squadron | Zarrars | Tactical Attack | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | April 2007 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage 5 ROSE III | [23] |
No. 28 Squadron | Phoenixes | Multi-role | Western Air Command | 31 AS Wing | 28 February 2018 | PAF Base Samungli | JF-17A | [24] [25] |
No. 50 Squadron | Saf Shikan | Tactical Attack | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | 16 December 2021 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage 5PA | [26] |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CCS F-16 Squadron (No. 29 Squadron) | Aggressors | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 16 July 1988 | PAF Base Mushaf | F-16A/B MLU | [27] [28] [29] |
CCS JF-17 Squadron | Fierce Dragons | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 26 January 2015 | PAF Base Mushaf | JF-17A/B | [30] [31] [32] [28] |
CCS Mirage Squadron | Sky Bolts | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 5 May 1976 | PAF Base Mushaf | Dassault Mirage IIIEA, Dassault Mirage 5PA | [27] [28] |
CCS F-7PG Squadron (No. 23 Squadron) | Talons | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 16 March 1961 (transferred to CCS from 31 AS Wing (Western Air Command), PAF Base Samungli (Quetta) in February 2023) | PAF Base Mushaf | F-7PG/FT-7PG |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 24 Squadron | Blinders | EW | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing | December 1962 | PAF Base Mushaf | Falcon 20 |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 81 Squadron | Kangaroos | SAR | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 1965 | PAF Base Peshawar | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 82 Squadron | Stallions | Combat Support | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing | 1967 | PAF Base Mushaf | AW139 | [33] |
No. 83 Squadron | Kites | SAR | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | 1972 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 84 Squadron | Dolphins | Combat Support | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | 1968 | PAF Base Masroor | AW139 | [33] |
No. 85 Squadron | Saviours | SAR | Southern Air Command | 31 AS Wing | 12 March 1968 | PAF Base Samungli | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 86 Squadron | Ababeel | SAR | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | October 1983 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 87 Squadron | Dragonflies | SAR | Northern Air Command | 33 Tactical Wing | July 1997 | PAF Base Minhas | Alouette III | |
No. 88 Squadron | Rams | Combat Support | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | PAF Base Shahbaz | AW139 | [34] |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Squadron | Rahbers | Fighter Conversion Unit | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | 28 April 1975 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | K-8P | [35] |
No. 18 Squadron | Sharp Shooters | Operational Conversion | Southern Air Command | 41 Tactical Wing | 1 February 1958 | PAF Base Bholari | JF-17A | [36] [37] |
No. 19 Squadron | Sherdils | Operational Conversion | Southern Air Command | 41 Tactical Wing | 1 February 1958 | PAF Base Bholari | F-16 ADF | [38] |
No. 20 Squadron | Cheetahs | Operational Conversion | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | March 1956 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | F-7PG | |
No. 22 Squadron | Ghazis | Operational Conversion | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | June 1984 | PAF Base Masroor | Mirage IIIEL/DL | [39] |
1 PFT Squadron | Primary Training | Air Defence Command | Primary Flying Training Wing | 1947 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | Mushshak | ||
2 PFT Squadron | Primary Training | Air Defence Command | Primary Flying Training Wing | 1947 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | Mushshak | ||
1 BFT Squadron | Basic Training | Air Defence Command | Basic Flying Training Wing | July 1974 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37B/ C | ||
2 BFT Squadron | Basic Training | Air Defence Command | Basic Flying Training Wing | July 1974 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37B/ C | ||
1 AJT Squadron | Advanced Training | Air Defence Command | Advanced Jet Training Wing | 1994 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | K-8P | ||
Flying Instructors School | Instructor Training | Air Defence Command | College of Flying Training | 15 April 1952 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37 | [40] | |
Helicopter Flying Training School | Helicopter Conversion | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 1995 | PAF Base Peshawar | Alouette III | [41] | |
Shooter Squadron | LIFT | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | 11 December 2017 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | F-7P | [42] | |
Transport Conversion School | Transport Conversion | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | April 1975 | PAF Base Nur Khan | C-130 | [43] |
Squadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 6 Squadron | Antelopes | Air Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | 1 December 1942 | PAF Base Nur Khan | C-130B/ E/ L-100 | [44] |
No. 12 Squadron | Globe Trotters | VIP Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | March 1950 | PAF Base Nur Khan | GIV-SP | [45] [46] |
No. 21 Squadron | Burraqs | Air Transport | Southern Air Command | 40 Air Mobility Wing | 15 November 2006 | PAF Base Faisal | C-130E |
[47]
[48]
|
No. 41 Squadron | Albatross | VIP Light Communication | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | June 1966 | PAF Base Nur Khan | Phenom 100 | |
No. 52 Squadron | Markhors | Air Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | 14 March 2020 | PAF Base Nur Khan | CN-235-220 | [49] |
Last year saw the delivery of the first Il-78 Midas air-to-air refueller and also the first Russian aircraft into the inventory – hence the R in front of the serial. The newly established 10 Multi Role Tanker Transport Sqn at Chaklala operates the aircraft, which will be joined by a second example.
After years of trying to acquire a much needed airborne early warning platform, Pakistan's first Saab 2000 Erieye was officially inducted into service, with 13 Squadron, on December 29, 2009. A second example followed in late April and the third and fourth will follow by the end of the year.
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)