Even though all the three services of Pakistan’s armed forces are largely composed of Chinese-manufactured equipment, Rawalpindi's heart remains tilted towards the West.
It is the first of seven refurbished C-130Hs, tactical transport aircraft decommissioned by Belgium, that are supposed to be delivered to the Pakistan Air Force.
Latif led the first fly-past over New Delhi after India became a republic in 1950. He was instrumental in procuring Jaguar, MiG-23 & MiG-25 aircraft for the IAF.
Sqn Ldr Devayya's heroics to shoot down a PAF Starfighter in 1965 are among IAF's finest hours. But he wasn't lucky like Abhinandan & perished with his Mystere.
The last time this matter flared up was when Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a very similar directive in April, called for the relocation of stray dogs in the capital.
Finance ministry says the proposed revamp will focus on structural reforms, rate rationalisation & ease of living, & will be deliberated upon in the coming weeks.
The project is meant to be a ‘protective shield that will keep expanding’, the PM said. It is on the lines of the ‘Golden Dome’ announced by Trump, it is learnt.
Now that both IAF and PAF have made formal claims of having shot down the other’s aircraft in the 87-hour war in May, we can ask a larger question: do such numbers really matter?
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