Closer to Reality
Sino-Pak air exercise Shaheen IX
The Air Forces of Pakistan and China commenced their 3-week joint exercise Shaheen IX on 7 December 2020, this time around at the new PAF base at Bholari, 120 kilometers from Karachi in Sindh province. As reported by Global Times, a daily tabloid newspaper published under auspices of the Chinese Communist Party, “the recently concluded ChinaPakistan air exercises benefited both sides, as Chinese pilots could learn manoeuveres and experiences from their Pakistani counterparts’ while China’s J-10C and J-11B fighters could be used to simulate
India’s Rafale and Su-30 fighters in mock air battles”.
According to some observers, “many aspects of the J-10C mid-sized fighter jet, including its size, aerodynamic characteristics, aviation and weapon systems and overall combat capability, are comparable to the France-made Rafale, in service with the Indian Air Force. Defence analyst Fu Qianshao further noted that the J-11B heavy fighter has very similar appearance with India’s Su-30 fighter – “but with superior avionics system”. Closer to reality!
The exercise formally began in presence of PAF Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Waqas Ahmed Sulehri alongside PLAAF Major General Sun Hong, the latter stating that “the joint exercise will improve the actual level of combat training and strengthen practical cooperation between the two air forces”. Air Vice Marshal Sulehri said “the joint exercise will provide an opportunity to further enhance interoperability of both the air forces, thereby fortifying brotherly relations between the two countries.”
Shaheen IX is the ninth in the series of Joint Air Exercises which have been conducted each year in both countries at alternate locations. The very first (Shaheen I) was held in March 2011 when for the very first time in history, PLAAF fighters operated from PAF bases. The Shaheen exercises thereafter continued annually, with Shaheen VIII conducted in August– September 2019 from the Chinese Air Base at Hotan, close to the Indian border in Ladakh (see article ‘Falcons over the Karakorams’ in Vayu Issue IV/2020).
This time PLAAF sent a mix of warplanes including the Chengdu J-10C, Shenyang J-11B, Xi’an Y-20 heavy lift transport aircraft, Shaanxi KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft and Shaanxi Y-8 EW aircraft while the PAF deployed JF-17 Thunders and Dassault Mirage III/5s as also various force multipliers. Pointedly, the PAF did not operate F-16s from Bholari, ever mindful of US concerns but of course it was difficult for observers to monitor if this US-origin fighter actually took part, launched from other PAF bases.
It was reported that both Air Forces focused on large force engagements, carrying out BVR air combat, close air combat and ground attack, all in a dense EW environment. According to the Chinese spokesman, “more than 200 sorties were flown by both sides”.
Later, the Chinese defence analyst Fu Qianshao said that “Unlike previous Shaheen series exercises, this time we comprehensively deployed aviation forces and paratroopers”, while Ding Yuanfang, a Chinese Air Force deputy brigade commander stated that “real combatoriented training courses like maritime training were included for the first time”, which was “a great chance for the Chinese Naval Aviation to learn from Pakistan forces and improve its combat capabilities”.
However, in his analysis, a retired IAF officer felt that “these exercises are showcasing cooperation rather than capability. “We are concerned neighbours, must not look at this exercise as a threat, but use it for intelligence gathering. There is much to glean from what we ‘see’ happening in such exercises”.