Pakistan inducts first AWACS into fleet

Pakistan has become the second country in South Asia after India to have inducted the sophisticated surveillance aircraft, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) in its Air Force.

Pakistan, on Tuesday, received the first of four such AWACS fitted aircraft, Saab-2000 from Sweden, which is likely to boost the Pakistan Air Force's capability to a great extent, The Daily Times reports.

"The aircraft landed on Tuesday at one of the Pakistan Air Force's main operating bases, marking a major achievement in the air force's overall modernisation plan," a statement released by the PAF said.

The aircraft is fitted with the latest technology to detect aircraft flying at high and medium altitudes. With state-of-the-art system, it is also capable of detecting objects flying at lower levels over land and sea at extended ranges.

The system is also capable of detecting surface targets over sea. As compared to Pakistan's airborne early warning system, the Indian Phalcon system provides tactical surveillance of airborne and surface targets and helps gather signal intelligence. It is also capable of tracking fighter planes, missiles and ground forces from a distance of 400 kilometres and in all weather conditions.