| Special mission aircraft | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | Service entry | Role | Quantity | Comments |
| Dassault Falcon 20 DA-20 (EW variant) |
~1987 | ESM, ECM | 3 | Operated by No. 24 Blinders Squadron which was revived in 1987 following induction of DA-20. Participated during PAF exercises in both airborne early warning and ECM roles. First participated in a PAF exercise, in the ESM and ECM role, during Exercise High Mark 89 (14 November to 23 December 1989). Also used for ESM/ECM support during Saffron Bandit exercises of 1992, 1994, 1997 and 1999.
Third aircraft delivered March 2008. Original two aircraft flown to France for upgrade and structural overhaul during 2004–2007, which were delivered in 2010. One Falcon 20 used for VIP transport in 1983,mostly for Bhutto family three Falcon 20E for VIP transport in 1986. |
| Saab 2000 Erieye Erieye Horizon |
~2011 | AEW&C | 4 | Selected in 2005 and developed for the PAF under Project Horizon, initial order of 6 aircraft later reduced to 4. First aircraft delivered on 8 December 2009, second on 24 April 2010. Remaining 2 expected to be delivered in 2010.
First aircraft flown to Grenada, Spain, in 2008 for flutter testing in hot and high conditions for 2 weeks. Underwent final testing of aircraft and systems (including radar, command and control systems, defensive aids systems, communication systems and integration with PAF Command and Control Ground Environment) in Sweden in late October 2009. |
| Shaanxi ZDK-03 Y-8F600 |
2011 | AEW&C | 4 | Reported in March 2007 to have been tested and evaluated by PAF, and found to be "fairly good" but some improvements were desired in both platform and radar. Order signed for 4 aircraft in December 2008, with Chinese AESA? radar mounted on the Shaanxi Y-8F600 platform, designated ZDK-03. Delivery was initially reported to occur in 2011 and 2012. Delivery of first ZDK-03, designed specifically for the PAF, is now due before the end of year 2010. The aircraft is powered by four turboprop engines and its radar is reported to have a range greater than that of the Erieye radar fitted to the PAF's Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C. |
Read more about this topic: List Of Aircraft Of The Pakistan Air Force, Current Aircraft
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