Pakistan Armed Forces Rewind 2021

We will talk in detail about the year 2021 for Pakistan Armed Forces, during which many good developments took place. We will be shared with you one by one.

January

Regarding the Pakistan Armed Forces, the year started with the news of the test of the Fatah-1 Multiple Rocket Launch System on January 7, 2021. This was the first official test of the system. The range of this system was stated to be 140 km. While the Dual Pulse motor was used in this rocket. Which helps it maintain its maximum speed through the flight. The Pakistan Navy then tested an anti-ship cruise missile and a torpedo from a submarine, possibly a submarine-launched version of the Exocet anti-ship missile that was tested. During the test, anti-missile and torpedo successfully hit their targets. Former Chief of Pakistan Air Force Mujahid Anwar Khan visited Turkey. In the same month of January, the news was received from authoritative sources about the acquisition of the CH4 drone by the Pakistan Army. The Shaheen 3 ballistic missile was successfully tested on January 20. Construction of the second ship of the Pakistan Navy’s Babar class ( Milgem Corvettes ), began in Turkey. On January 29, the second ship in a series of four Type 054 AP frigates ordered from China was launched. It may be recalled that in February, a scale model of J10C related to the Pakistan Air Force was adorning social media. See and hear different kinds of comments on it.

February

On February 3, 2021, the Pakistan Army Strategic Forces Command successfully tested the Ghaznavi short-range ballistic missile, which is said to have a range of 290 km. Special Forces of Pakistan and Turkey held exercise in Pakistan. Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi gave an interview to China’s Global Times newspaper in which besides the bilateral relations between the Pakistan Navy and the Chinese Navy, the future acquisition of the Navy was highlighted. The shallow water submarine and helicopter acquisition are noteworthy in this interview. On February 10, Chinese sources claimed that the WS13 engine was ready for the J31 and JF-17 Thunder. It may be recalled that earlier in 2020, a Chinese source had claimed the WS13 IPE (Improved Power Engine version) which was said to have early production potential. The Pakistan Navy conducted another exercise of the peace series in which navies from more than fifty countries around the world participated, in which traditional rivals Russia and US navies, as well as navies of NATO countries, participated. The exercise was covered in popular media around the world and Pakistan’s peace efforts were appreciated. On February 17, the Pakistan Army launched the Jidar-ul-Hadeed exercises. Bilateral Exercise of Pakistani Navy and Russian Navy was conducted in the Arabian Sea. On February 23, Pakistan and Ukraine reached an agreement on T80 UD tank upgrades. In the same month of February, the former chief of the Pakistan Air Force, in an informal conversation with the media, mentioned the acquisition of new aircraft and a new air defence system in 2021 this year.

March

On March 7, the news was received that the second batch of VT4 tanks had been delivered to the Pakistan Army. On March 10, Indian media reported the capture of a Pakistani balloon. Shahpar-2 drone was unveiled in the Pakistan Day Parade. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra released details of its drone. The Pakistan Army’s Strategic Force Command successfully tested Shaheen-1A on March 26 with a range of 900 km. The same month, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra released details of its high-speed target drones, paving the way for loitering munitions in the future. The Chairman of the Joint Staff Committee visited Turkey, where he also visited Bayraktar, a company that manufactures TB2 and Akinci drones.

April

On April 3, we heard the news of the upgrade of all the JF17 Block 1 aircraft to Block 2 standards. In the same month, it was announced that the Ideas Defense Exhibition would be held in 2022. The Pakistan Army also received news of deliveries of FD-2000 (HQ-9 ) surface-to-air missiles in the same month. On April 6, the Russian Foreign Minister visited Pakistan several years later, while Pakistan held a defence exhibition in Iraq the same month. On April 27, a photo of the second prototype of the JF-17 Thunder Block 3 surfaced, in which the aircraft was seen for the first time equipped with PL-10 high-off bore site missiles. In the same month, Chinese media sources mentioned the integration of some systems used on J-20 on Thunder Block III, especially Helmet mounted display, PL-15 and PL-10 air-to-air missiles.

May

On May 1, The Keel laying ceremony of the second ship of Pakistan’s Series of MILGEM Class Corvette to be developed in Turkey was held. The same month, the Pakistan Navy conducted a joint exercise with the Canadian and US Navy ships. General Qamar Javed Bajwa and General Faiz Hameed visited Afghanistan on May 10. The Nigerian Air Force inducted the JF-17 Thunder into its fleet. Pakistan Army Air Defense Units participate in a joint air defence exercise with the Egyptian Armed Forces. Testing of long-range maritime patrol aircraft started in Pakistan Navy. It should be noted that after this the aircraft has to go through the process of conversion of maritime patrol aircraft. On May 15, Russia Today published an article on Pakistan’s refusal to provide bases to the United States. The same month, JF-17 Thunder was announced to be sent to Turkey to participate in exercises. On May 29, the news of joint exercises between Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan was covered by IDA in defence-update 180.

June

Wing Long 2 Drones procured by Pakistan Air Force from China were reported to be operational. In the same month, the news of Armored Vehicles with FC Balochistan was also shared with you. General Bajwa visited Ukraine in which he visited various armament factories of Ukraine. In the same month, the news of ALBATROS NG Surface-to-Air Missile manufactured by MBDA for Pakistan Navy’s Milgem class corvettes was shared with you. Construction of the 4th Milgem class corvettes officially started in June 2021. In the same month, Anatolian Eagle exercises started in Turkey in which Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17, Qatar’s Rafale and Turkey’s F-16 aircraft participated. In addition, Azerbaijan Air Force also participated in this exercise. On 20 June 2021. It was reported that 90% of the fence work on Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan has been completed. In June, a high-level delegation of the Pakistan Army visited Azerbaijan. In June, more VT4 tank units were delivered to the Pakistan Army. On June 26, news of strikes on miscreants’ hideouts in Afghanistan was heard by Pakistan Air Force F-16s.

July

The current Chief of Pakistan Air Force visited Turkey where he visited Turkish Aero Space Industries, which is leading the TFX project. The design and development phase of the first Jinnah Classship began. The Taliban’s advance in neighbouring Afghanistan accelerated in July. In the same month, various sources reported that J10C had joined the Pakistan Air Force. Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a statement that China has always been with Pakistan. Afghan Taliban seize border crossing with Pakistan on July 14 The British and Pakistani navies conducted joint exercises. There were reports of a limited number of AK-103 rifles being acquired by Pakistan from Russia, probably from the Ministry of Interior. Zulfiqar class Frigate of Pakistan Navy visited Russia. Due to rising tensions in Afghanistan, regular troops of the Pakistan Army were deployed on the Afghan border.

August

Qatar provides Sea King helicopters for Pakistan Navy The first Thunder was successfully overhauled by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. The new system was formally inaugurated at Karachi Shipyard. The Prime Minister attended the ceremony as the chief guest. On August 12, Pakistan’s Strategic Forces Command tested the Ghaznavi missile, the second such short-range ballistic missile test in a year. The Pakistan Army’s T80 UD Tank Upgrade Program has officially started. On August 15, Ashraf Ghani and his followers fled Afghanistan, while the Taliban took control of the capital and took complete control of Afghanistan. In the same month, PIA pilots performed a great feat by transporting many passengers to Pakistan by flight. At a defence exhibition in Turkey this month, Pakistan’s Nasscom and Turkish Aerospace Industries agreed to work together on their drones. A new image of the Thunder Block III surfaced on August 23, the same month the Pakistan Army conducted the second test of the Fateh One Multiple Rocket Launch System. Joint exercises were held between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. More satellite images of Wing Long to Drone and CH4 Drone were shared, showing the drones on both service bases. On the 25th of this month, while taking a taxi for the first time from the front angle of Thunder Block III, a picture came to light. On August 29, the news was received that Heavy Industries Taxila was preparing a local artillery gun.

September

A documentary about the serial production of Thunder Block 3 was aired on a news channel. In the same month, after testing in the Navy, the long-range maritime patrol aircraft Sea Sultan was inducted. In an interview, Sohail Aman, former chief of the Pakistan Air Force, talked about China’s permission for J-20 stealth aircraft for Pakistan. He also commented on the capabilities of Block III and J10C. On September 12, the Three Brothers Exercise began between the Armed Forces of Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The same month, the presence of the Pakistan Air Force space command was mentioned in video footage. On September 19, the Pakistan Army participated in the Bright Star Multinational Exercise held in Egypt. The supersonic HD-1A missile with the JF-17 Thunder was unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show on September 25. On September 25, an Iraqi Air Force delegation visited Pakistan, following which the media reported unconfirmed reports of the Iraqi Air Force’s interest in Jf17 and possible acquisitions. At the Zhuhai Air Show, China announced the development of a second stealth aircraft and a possible sixth-generation aircraft.

October

The sixth Exercise of the Pakistan-Russia Druzhba (Friendship) Series started in Russia. On October 1, China announced the installation of local engines in all aircraft. On October 8, Saudi Arabian F-15 Eagle aircraft for the first time participated in a joint Exercise  Naseem-ul-Bahr of the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Saudi Navy, which also fired live Harpoon anti-ship missiles. On October 10, 2012, Mohsin Pakistan Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan passed away. In October, the VT4 tank officially joined the strike formation. On October 14, the official inclusion of HQ-9 long-range surface-to-air missiles in the Pakistan Army was officially confirmed. In the same month, Azerbaijan officially confirmed its interest in the JF17 Block 3. At a defence exhibition in the Czech Republic earlier this month, Pakistan’s Global Industrial and Defense Solutions confirmed the testing of the armored version of the Shahpar-2 Drone in the Pakistan Army and its invalidation at a defence exhibition in Egypt.

November

In November, various sources reported the entry of J10C into Pakistan, claiming that J10C would be added to the Pakistan Air Force next year. The first ship of a series of Type 054 AP frigates was handed over to Pakistan Navy PNS Tughral in  China. The J10C Possible Acquisition was semi-officially confirmed the same month when a scale model of the aircraft was spotted at the Air Chief’s Office at Air Headquarters. Exercises were held between US and Pakistan Navy. PAC Kamra was awarded two contracts related to K8 on the occasion of the Dubai Air Show. On November 25, the Shaheen-A1 ballistic missile was tested. The same month, there were reports of some armored vehicles being transferred from Afghanistan to Pakistan. The adaptation of the Shahpar-2 Drone was unveiled at the EDEX defence exhibition in Egypt.

December

News of the deployment of new radars by the Pakistan Air Force was heard, most notably the Chinese-made YLC-18A radar. Pakistan Navy tests man-portable surface-to-air missiles On December 8, Pakistan Navy and Karachi Shipyard jointly began construction of the Hungoor Class submarine. Pakistan Army conducted Victory Shield Exercise in which Army Aviation Gunship Helicopters also participated. Pakistan and Royal Saudi Army exercise begin in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan Ordnance Factories Prototype BW20 and BW21 Battle Rifles. The same month, news of an alleged Pakistani drone strike was heard in Afghanistan. J10C’s official induction was confirmed in 2022. Pakistan Army Strategic Force Command successfully tests the extended-range version of Babar-1B Cruise Missile. The ambiguous type of writing about the production of the JF-17 Thunder Dual Engine version was mentioned in the Ministry of Defense Production report. And the end of this year was like the rollout of Thunder Block 3, like last year, with the start of production of Thunder Block 3 at the end of last year.

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