April 21, 2008	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 14, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 20: The upgradation and modernisation programme of Pakistan Air Force is progressing at a rapid pace and PAF is looking forward to equipping its Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) with the most modern payloads in the future, says Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed.

Speaking at a ceremony held to mark the induction and operationalisation of indigenously manufactured UAVs system, he said that the new systems would enable PAF to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

“It is indeed a moment of great pride and satisfaction for all of us, as acquisition of this capability will certainly contribute towards augmenting our fighting potential.’’

Air Marshal Ahmed said that Pakistan Air Force was looking forward to equipping these UAVs with the most modern and lethal payloads and enhancing their capability.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are ideal systems to support the emerging joint character and the asymmetric nature of warfare. The long endurance of UAVs provides sustained support for more efficient and time-critical targeting and other missions requiring greater persistence than what is provided by manned aircraft. UAVs offer a unique capability to get closer to a target and provide a detailed bird’s eye view while remaining invisible to enemy’s eyes and ears. Their small size, low noise propulsion system and ability to feed information directly to battlefield commanders enhance the effectiveness of the air force.