KAMRA, Aug 1: Pakistan handed over the five newly-built Super Mushshak aircraft to the Royal Air Force of Oman at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra, on Thursday.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the secretary, defence production, Air Marshal Zahid Anis praised the efforts of the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory (AMF) in establishing itself as a recognized equipment manufacturer.

The handing over document was signed by Air Commodore Syed Sohail Habib Sadiq, Director of Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, Kamra, and Director of Operations, Royal Air Force of Oman, Air Commodore Said bin Hamood Al Harthi.

The ceremony was attended by military and air force officers, Ambassador of China, Deputy Ambassador of Oman, High Commissioner of South Africa, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Second Secretary of Iranian embassy, Defence attaches’ of China, Sri Lanka, Oman, UAE, France, Air Marshal Kaleem Sahadut, Chairman of Defence Export Promotion Bureau, Maj-Gen Syed Ali Hamid and Rear Admiral Azher Hussain.

Air Marshal Anis said that the AMF could rightly take pride in its achievements as the designs and development of Super Mushshak was no mean achievement by itself.

Competing with European, American aircraft manufacturers and coming out with flying colours should be a matter of great pride for the PAC, he added.

“We assure that our Omani brothers have taken the right decision to select Super Mushshak aircraft for training their pilots and the ministry of defence will lend all possible support to this cooperation,” Air Marshal Anis said.

Super Mushshak is one of the best aircraft in its class, due to its excellent quality, high safety rate, ensured supportability and exceptional performance.

He said the PAC had immense potential to grow and it was prime organization in the country for the production, repair and overhaul of military aircraft and their equipment.

The PAC has successfully exported its products and services to Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

He assured the guests from friendly countries that the PAC would be more than willing to provide high quality products at very competitive rates.

Air Marshal Anis also appreciated the PAC Chairman Air Vice-Marshall Aurangzeb Khan and MRF Managing-Director Air Commodore Javed for the timely execution of the contract with Omanese air force.

Earlier highlighting the achievements and different features of the Complex, Chairman Air Vice Marshall Aurangzeb Khan said that the PAC had come a long way since its inception three decades ago.

He said starting with the F-16 Rebuild Factory in 1972, the PAC had grown in capability, responsibility, expertise and confidence and today the factory overhauls six different types of Chinese-origin fighter aircraft and all their components.

He said the PAC saw the Mirage Rebuild Factory come up in 1974, which now repairs, overhauls and upgrades avionics of the largest Mirage 111.

He said the Kamra Avionics and Radar Factory (KARF) was established in 1989 and today it rebuilds and overhauls electronics equipment like low level radars, control, reporting centre and power generators besides, producing radar warning receivers and co-produces airborne intercept radars for F-7P aircraft.

The chairman said that the AMF started as a base for aviation manufactures in the country in 1975 and started manufacturing SAAB MFI-17 Mushshak aircraft under licence from SAAB-SCANIA of Sweden while the production of aerial target drones was also added to its list.

He said the AMF also participated in the design development and co-production of the Karakarom-8 aircraft with China.