Pakistan Army Air Defence: An Introduction

[RescueRanger]

Army Air Defense



See also: https://defencepk.com/forums/threads/surface-to-air-missiles-operated-by-pakistan.850/

On the creation of Pakistan in August 1947, Anti Aircraft's share was just two regiments. Merged with Pakistan Artillery, these units were renamed as 5 Heavy Anti- Aircraft and 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiments. 5 Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regiment was the most technical and sophisticated unit of its time. It was the HIMAD Regiment of its time having 3.7" Radar Controlled Guns with a covering range up to 18 kms. It was capable of acquiring, tracking, computing and destroying all weather air intrusions at twenty two thousand feet automatically. Since PAF had yet to be created, the base of Air Defence in Pakistan was laid by 5 Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regiment. The unit, therefore, was naturally selected by the Father of Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the unique honor of being the First unit of the Armed Forces of Pakistan to be inspected by him on 21 February 1948.

Limited inductions of improved short range air defense weapons resulted in a commendable anti air craft performance in the 1971 war. Anti- Aircraft was then accredited with 51 aircraft, 23 alone were shot down at Dacca Air Field by 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment, now 6 Light Air Defense Regiment. At the outbreak of hostilities the Anti- Aircraft Arty was organized as one Army Air Defense Brigade (i.e. 3 Army Air Defense Brigade) having 12x Light Anti- Aircraft Regiments, 2x (SP) Light Anti- Aircraft Regiments, 3x Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regiments, and 2x Independent Light Anti- Aircraft Batteries. Out of these, 1x Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment was deployed in East Pakistan. The worth mentioning performance was of 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment deployed in East Pakistan (Dacca) under the Command of Brigadier (the then Lieutenant Colonel) Muhammad Afzal, SJ (Late). The unit destroyed 23x air crafts and was awarded 4x SJs. "Miss Holingworth" a BBC War Correspondent described the performance of 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment as "It has been my great desire to see aircraft shot down by Anti- Aircraft guns. Today when I am watching the duels between Indian pilots and Pakistani gunners, I can see the aircraft falling like toys. This is a world record for an Anti- Aircraft performance."

Anti- Aircraft growth in Pakistan was relegated for the development of PAF and Artillery. Its need and importance in Air Defense was, however, highlighted by the Kashmir conflict in 1948, which resulted in some raisings. In the 1965 war even with favorable air situation, the importance and shortage of ground based Air Defense weapons were clearly brought out. Anti- Aircraft was accredited with shooting down 49 enemy aircrafts in 1965.

The 1971 War highlighted again the imbalance in the organization and development of Anti- Aircraft. Anti- Aircraft Command Headquarters was raised in 1975 to coordinate operational employment of all Anti- Aircraft units in Pakistan. Anti- Aircraft after 28 years of its existence was now to be coordinated operationally by Anti- Aircraft Officers. The First General Officer Commanding Major General Iftikhar Muhammad brought in systematic and professional development of Anti -Aircraft by developing a concept of surveillance and inducting the First Air Defense System after 1947 i.e. radar controlled 57 mm Medium Anti- Aircraft. It was a great contribution in environment of economic stringency. Being, then, a part of the Artillery, Anti- Aircraft needs and priorities were neither comprehended nor given due weightage. Anti- Aircraft development was relegated to a low key in the days of Martial Law.

It was only in 1984 when the first comprehensive five year development plan aiming at total development of Anti -Aircraft was conceived, approved and implemented on the orders of General Khalid Mahmud Arif. This comprehensive plan envisaged Modernization, Modification, Reorganization and Indigenization.

Its concept of employment was tested and validated in Exercise Zarb-e-Momin. Army Air Defense as an operational and economic necessity had to be organized on a centralized command basis. This concept was approved for implementation in February 1991. This period spreading over a decade could be regarded as "Consolidation Phase" of Army Air Defense. The newly inducted equipment, weapons and technologies, in the shape of LAADS (Low Altitude Air Defense System) radars, RBS- 70 Missiles, Giraffe Radars, 35 mm Oerlikon Gun system along with Sky Guard Radars were absorbed; both at technical and tactical levels. This phase also saw increase in Air Defense formations and units. The employment concept and tactical doctrine were put to test and adopted subsequently.

Army Air Defense was born on 23 March 1989, when it was separated from Artillery and recognized as the youngest Arm of Pakistan Army, given the name 'Army Air Defense'. This was officially proclaimed on 10 October 1989. Army Air Defense successfully faced the challenge by reorganizing in harmony with its Concept of Integrated Air Defense.

As Army Air Defense is a dynamic arm and it has to keep pace with the fast changing technology and ever increasing/changing air threat. Therefore, a "New Air Defense Concept" based on re-organization of Air Defense Units, selective modernizations and induction of new weapons and equipment was evolved. The same was presented at various forums and modified in the light of recommendations by various headquarters/ organization. As a result of extensive mutual discussions, exhaustive staff work followed by field trails of proposed organizations, the same was approved in October 2003.

Army Air Defense Combat Record

In the 1948 War, the time fuse of Heavy Anti- Aircraft guns brought a total surprise to Indians. In Pandu and Chota Kazi Nag Sector, four Anti -Aircraft guns were deployed besides Medium and field artillery. In Uri and Akhnur Sectors, 2 x Heavy Anti- Aircraft guns and 4 x Light Anti- Aircraft guns participated in Artillery duels. Despite lack of tracks, Captain Abid Hussain Shah (later Major Abid Hussain took the guns to a position in Babot and positioned them on 5 December 1948, which surprised everyone. Even General Tottenham, the General Officer Commanding had to call Captain Abid and congratulate him for a job which was almost impossible. Besides use in ground role, these guns never allowed the Indian Reconnaissance planes to enter the area and take photographs. The performance of Anti- Aircraft gunners, though negligible; had been commendable from all angles.

The Indian Summer Offensive in Jhelum valley started in May 1948. Besides Field Artillery to support the ground offensive of our infantry, the 3.7 inch Heavy Anti -Aircraft guns ex 5 Heavy Anti- Aircraft Regiment and 40 mm Anti -Aircraft guns of 6 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment were also employed/deployed in ground role to augment the fire power of field Artillery. It may be mentioned that at various places these Anti- Aircraft guns proved more effective (basing direct firing weapons).

During the 1965 War, in August, 110 and 111 batteries moved to Chamb and came under command 4 Corps Artillery. On 6 September 111 Battery moved to Sialkot with 4 Corps Artillery. 110 Battery remained with 7 Division. On 10 September 109 Battery moved from Jhelum bridge and joined 11 Division.

19 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, a unit organic to 1 Armoured Division sent three batteries to Sialkot to join 4 Corps Artillery, which now had two batteries from two different units, 49 (SP) and 135 batteries were deployed to protect bridges on BRB and Ruhi nullah, road Kasur-Khem Karn. Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and 20 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment were the only anti-aircraft units employed as such, the former at Mauripur and the later at Sargodha air base.

• 132 Battery - Ravi Bridge
• 133 Battery - Kala Ordnance depot
• 134 Battery - Chenab Bridge
• 135 Battery - Jhelum Bridge
• 29 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was similarly scattered:-
• 112 Battery - Ravi Bridge
• 111 Battery - Kharian
• 110 Battery - Chenab Bridge
• 109 Battery - Jhelum Bridge
• 13 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment was deployed as follows:-
• 14 Battery -Sargodha air base
• 20 Battery -Peshawar air base
• 33 Battery -Sakesar air base
• 5 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment sent 18 Battery to Badin and 12 Battery to Korangi Creek.

On 6 September 33 Battery, 36 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, moved from Kala to Sargodha air base and came under command 20 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Sargodha now had five batteries from three different regiments. On 12 September 135 Battery was moved from Jhelum bridge and joined II Division Artillery, which formation now had four batteries from three different regiments. On 13 September 132 Battery moved from Ravi bridge to north Syphon. Admittedly, some grouping was necessitated by deficiency of anti-aircraft units and some of the moves were dictated by tactical compulsions. Nevertheless the complete hodge-podge obtained by 13 September may be attributed only to lack of foresight. Despite the disruption of command structure the performance of anti- aircraft units was commendable.

In face of Pakistani anti-aircraft artillery, Indian aircraft seldom pressed home their attacks with any degree of precision. Approximately thirty aircraft were shot down during the period of fighting. In terms of cost effectiveness our anti-aircraft artillery units had more than earned their keep.

Anti-Aircraft units by virtue of their role may operate, if necessary as sub-units, as well. However, there is no justification for their commitment in complete disregard of command structure. The intimacy of leadership is an element of strength in the operational performance of any military organization. To eliminate this element is to deprive the unit of that much strength. In 1965 war anti- aircraft units were indeed scattered with almost lunatic abandon. 36 Anti-Aircraft Regiment was initially deployed as follows:- In 1971 anti-aircraft artillery resources consisted of the following : 3 Anti-Aircraft Brigades, responsible for defense of Pakistan Air Force installations and Naval Dockyard at Karachi; Anti-Aircraft units organic to field formations; and Anti-Aircraft Mujahid companies under command logistic areas.

Anti-Aircraft resources were inadequate for the number of installations whose security was necessary to the successful prosecution of war. The air installations, quite rightly, received the highest priority. Next naval dockyards and some important bridges. The oil installations and railway remained largely unprotected. Some were given Mujahid sub- units, whose equipment was defective and whose personnel were mildewed ex-servicemen. From 4 December onwards Indian air attacks were focused on railway engines and oil installations. The anti-aircraft units had mixture of British, American and Chinese equipment. Most of the equipment was of World War II vintage. Despite this handicap anti-aircraft units were employed judicially and fought with gallantry.

Source: 2000-2013 GlobalSecurity.org

 

[RescueRanger]

[Migrated Article from old forum | Original Contributor @Signalian]

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Army AD formations hold confidential information in terms of TOE, deployment, weaponry and Radar systems. I will give a basic idea though.

PA has excellent low altitude AD assets, this is because threat has been envisioned from UAV's, UCAV's, Gunships and Ground attack aircraft's which can fly at low altitudes to release payload. In peace time also, PA is constantly threatened by UAV's hovering above LOC. Medium altitude SAM umbrella is provided by LY-80, which could be used for area defense.

Regiment Types

PA has a few types of AD Regiments.
1. SAM or Missile Regiments
2. Mixed Regiments (AAA and SAM). The AAA Guns are Radar controlled. (AAA = anti aircraft artillery)
3. Surveillance and Reporting Regiments.

Apart from Regiments, there are Air Defense Brigades and Air Defense Divisions in Pakistan Army. The notable are Air Defense Brigades attached to Armored Divisions, which have SP assets and modern radar systems. The Air Defense Divisions were formed to give AD coverage to Corps sized formations or provide AD cover of miles and miles to an area of strategic interest. This division can further be distributed and deployed with various formations when needed. The foremost role being to provide AD coverage using different assets like AAA and different types of SAM's having multiple range and altitude capability with layering type system as well as integrated with Radars.

The Force structure for AD varies a lot as it handles different types of equipment and roles. Its role can be defending a strategic area like bridge, strategic installation, troops, depots, peaks etc to moving along with armored formations as well as serving un-mounted role of infantry.

Regimental Structure

The troops strength in a regiment is 300 to 400 troops. The AD Regiments usually have three batteries, with 6 AAA guns or 4- 6 launchers. These can vary depending upon deployment, launcher per battery can vary from 4 to 8 launchers. Batteries are usually, not always:
P-Papa Battery
Q-Quebec Battery
R-Romeo Battery

Plus there could a Radar section or battery managing Radar systems if not with in allotted batteries of an AD Regiment, otherwise Radar management troops can be at Brigade level. Battery commander is usually a Major, although due to shortage of officers, can be a captain also. There is also reported to be a section of RPV (remote piloted vehicle) controllers. The RPV's are used as target practice in exercises.

Being a support arm, AD Regiment is usually distributed with various infantry or armor or artillery formations. So the CO (Commanding Officer) is briefed already about his AOR (area of responsibility) and allocation of batteries to support fighting (infantry/Armor) Brigades. The Regiment surveys these areas in technical manner for threat types/levels, altitudes, weather, placement of guns/launchers and maps are drawn. This is done to effectively place guns/launchers during combat. Maps are even drawn for enemy zones, since the brigade or division is supposed to advance and capture enemy territory. Liaison with PAF assets is conducted for services inter-operation capability.

Mixed formations of AAA and SAM's are used for complimenting each other and handling different threats. The Sky Guard Radar can control 2 AAA Guns and 2 SAM's, which makes weapon inter operatability easier. AAA guns are used for the same purpose of usage of CIWS in naval ships for interception, basically close range defense with maximum fire power. The inadequacy of AAA guns in range and altitude is compensated with SAM's. Since AAA guns are radar controlled, therefore accuracy is not an issue. The radar locks onto the target and the barrels of the guns vector towards target calculating its altitude and speed.

All anti aircraft guns whether radar operated / guided or manually operated get the early warnings directly or indirectly from a radar. Unless if its dark or heavy overcast the gunners make use of the very powerful telescopes on the either sides of the gun barrels while sitting in their seats and moving the horizontal and vertical lines (in their scopes) to achieve a cross hair and commence firing. During night or heavy clouds the advance observation posts and command centre with the help of radars (plus air force ones if available/ needed) serve as the eyes and the ears and direct the fire in the well rehearsed pattern that either destroys the target or harasses it away from intruding it into their area of defence. AAA Guns are area denial weapons with in the sky. A basic requirement of Army AD. These guns provide an excellent choice for the ground based suppression fire and taking out lightly armoured enemy vehicles and defending heavy artillery pieces from sneak attack such as their ground support role on LOC.

Anti Aircraft Guns

The different types of AAA guns are :

1. 12.7 mm
Basic AA gun, deployed on MBT, APC's, SP Arty (M-109) and tripods.

2. 14.5 mm
AA Gun deployed on tripods and some Vehicles.

3. 35 mm
Mated with Sky Guard radar, it can intercept missiles (GDF-007 version). Radar can control two guns and two SAMs simultaneously.
Radar range 20,000 m
Radar altitude 3000-4000 m for guidance of cannon
Radar altitude 3000-4000 m for guidance of SAM

4. 37 mm / 40 mm

Single or twin barreled. Ranges/altitude similar to Oerlikon 35mm. Reported to have been mated with a radar just like GDF-007.

5. 57 mm (not sure if in current use)
Altitude a bit higher than other AAA guns.


SAM's

1. Anza Mk I,II,III
Low altitude Shoulder Fired, IR Guided.
Range 5000 m
Altitude 4000 m

2. FIM-92 Stinger
Low altitude Shoulder Fired, IR Guided.
Range 7-8000 m
Altitude 3500 m

3. RBS-70
Low altitude Shoulder Fired, Laser Guided. Also Giraffe Radar can be connected to 9 launchers. So it can be radar guided also.
Range 8000 m
Altitude 5000 m

4. FN-6
Low altitude Shoulder Fired, IR Guided.
Range 6000 m
Altitude 3800 m

5. FM-90
Low altitude SP AD, Radar Guided
Range 15000 m
Altitude 6000 m

6. LY-80/HQ16
Medium altitude SP AD, Radar Guided
Range 40,000 (70,000 m upgraded)
Altitude 15000 m

Supporting AD Units

1. Janbaz/Mujahid Force
National Guard unit tasked with Air Defence of urban areas. Has been reported to use 12.7 mm and 14.5 mm AD guns. Janbaz/Mujahid force had been deployed in Indo-Pak wars under National Guard command for AD role. They are also deployed in Surveillance and Reporting roles. They are an integral part of the air defence command. Janbaz force is raised from the locals and they form one of the many layers of Pakistan's air defence system. They man PA's most basic or in a way older guns. A cluster of such batteries in an area augments the more sophisticated weapons.

2. Pakistan Marines
One AD battalion has been formed, 21st AD Battalion. tasked for coastal Air Defence using Mistral SAM. Mistral is an IR guided,Mach 2.6 speed missile with Range of 6000 m and altitude of 3000 m.


PA Armored warfare and IAF CBU-105 Threat

The major concern for members here is that PA has mostly low altitude SAM systems which provide no credible deterrence against CBU-105 equipped IAF aircrafts like Jaguar or SU30 MKI. PA armored formations use RBS-70 based SAM system with Giraffe Radars. These are low altitude SAM's to engage UAV's and Helicopter Gunships.

If PA armored forces conduct an offensive operation inside Indian territory then the threat of IAF aircrafts equipped with CBU-105 is expected. The release altitude of CBU-105 is 12000 m, which means the aircraft has to fly at this altitude to release the weapon. Interestingly, LY-80 envelops this altitude and can engage the IAF aircraft. However, its doubtful if LY-80 will accompany PA armored forces inside Indian territory. The mention of PAF is debatable for providing AD cover to PA inside India against IAF. Thus PA will require a more agile AD SP system to to counter the CBU threat with engaging altitude above 12000 m. The Russian Pantsir series of AD systems could be a viable option. PA can look at other options available to procure also.

To escape detection from enemy sensors as well as avoid getting targeted, Armored and Mechanized forces use different methods.

1. Camouflaging methods to avoid detection by FLIR and other sensor through air. Camouflage nets are used for this purpose. Armored track prints formed in sand and desert are covered. In exercises, PA uses camo nets on armored vehicles to avoid detection by air. This was performed by a MIB (Mechanized infantry Battalion) back in 2011/12 against PAF aircraft in the desert. The aircraft's sensors could not locate an entire Battalion camouflaged in the sand. The number of crew (3) of Modern PA MBT's became debatable when the issue of continuously covering tracks came up which can cause fatigue to crews. Make-shift methods were employed to cover tracks during exercises as the Tanks rolled in the desert .

2. It is desired to make contact with enemy as soon as possible and preferable over run enemy position. This denies enemy air strike on that position due to presence of enemy troops who are wounded or POW's.

3. Tanks are mobile and are expected to be in transit most of the time. They can be ordered to stay between populated places (like villages) after crossing border, so the enemy Air Force cannot strike them.

4. Another technique used by armored Formations is to move over a large front, covering a large area but finally converging at one or two points for final phase of attack. This thins them out initially but brings them around the target from different angles, which not only has more chances of a successful attack but also confuses enemy to judge the intended area of attack and if attacked from air requires higher number for aircraft to break off the attack.

PA requires an effective AD SP system with in its Armored formations to pose a credible threat to IAF aircraft and Gunships.

The HQ-9

HQ-9, if acquired, should be used as Anti-ballistic Missile system primarily which Pakistan lacks at the moment. There have been rumors about it's acquisition however nothing concrete has surfaced as yet. It can be a suitable answer to India's S-400. A Naval version should also be considered.

Army Aviation

PA is now buying modern Gunships (T-129 and AH-1Z), which have the capability to fire Air to Air missiles (Mistral/Aim-9 etc). These will be used for self defense purpose, but can also target enemy slow flying aerial assets.