Is Pakistan Close to Finally Securing a Strike Fighter? Plus

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In the mid-1970s, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) sought to strengthen its offensive strike capabilities through a significant procurement initiative: the acquisition of the LTV A-7 Corsair II.

By 1974, the PAF formally approached the United States, aiming to acquire as many as 110 A-7s. This move signaled a clear strategic shift, showcasing Pakistan’s intent to field a sizable strike fleet capable of both close air support (CAS) but also long-range strike missions.

It is likely that the Rasoob 250 and AZB-81LR, which closely emulate the concepts of new munitions like the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) and SPEAR, respectively, were sought for next-generation fighter aircraft (NGFA) with internal weapons bays and, possibly, unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV).

The ‘Swift Retort Model’

Swift Retort did not lead the PAF to build its offensive capability; rather, it revealed a key dynamic: The upgraded F-16s offered a long-range air-to-air reach, while the Mirage ROSE offered the strike element.

Quwa had discussed this dynamic in 2017, when initial reports of the PAF’s interest in the Shenyang J-31 had first emerged. The F-16A/B Block-15 Mid-Life Update (MLU) and Mirage ROSE basically covered the gaps of each other, thus making for a natural pairing in any future offensive strike formation. This came to pass in Swift Retort, with the two aircraft (albeit supported by JF-17s across both offensive and defensive roles) forming the main brunt of the PAF’s responsive element.

However, what changed in 2019 was that the PAF validated this strategy, specifically the idea that it can, and should, form dedicated attack wings with long-range air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities. In order to achieve a conventional deterrence posture, the PAF would need multiple such offensive wings so as to launch successive – and simultaneous – Swift Retort-type operations.