Pakistan Air Force Squadrons

As of 1999 the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was organized into eighteen squadrons, with a total of 430 combat aircraft. Following the traditions of Britain's Royal Air Force the Squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)are awarded Standards upon completion of 25 years of service. In 2007 PAF raised a new squadron, specialising in night strike role. The newest Squadron No.27 is based at PAF base Rafiqui near Shorkot, equipped with Mirage aircraft converted for the specialised role.

Unit	Nick-Name	Equipment	Base
No. 1 Squadron	Rahbers	FT-5	Mianwali
No. 2 Squadron	Minhas	F-7P	Masroor
No. 3 Squadron		B707 Falcon Fokker F-27	Chaklala
No. 4 Squadron
No. 5 Squadron	Falcons	Mirage IIIEP and RP	Rafiqui
No. 6 Squadron	Antelopes	C-130	Chaklala
No. 7 Squadron	Bandits	Mirage VPA	Masroor
No. 8 Squadron	Haider	Mirage VPA3 and VPA2	Masroor
No. 9 Squadron	Griffins	F-16A	Sargodha
No.10 Squadron
No.11 Squadron	Arrows	F-16A and B	Sargodha
No.12 Squadron	Globe Trotters	B707 Falcon Fokker F-27	Chaklala
No.14 Squadron	Tail Choppers Shaheens	F-7P	Kamra
No.15 Squadron	Cobra	F-7P	Kamra
No.16 Squadron	Black Panthers	A-5C	Peshawar
No.17 Squadron	Tigers	F-7PG F-6, FT- 6	Samungli
No.18 Squadron	Sharp Shooters	F-7P	Rafiqui
No.19 Squadron	Warhawks Sherdils	F-16 F-7P	Mianwali
No.20 Squadron	Cheetas Eagles	F-7P	Rafiqui
No.22 Squadron	Ghazis	Mirage VPA, DPA, IIIDP	Masroor
No.23 Squadron	Talons	F-6	Samungli
No.24 Squadron		Falcon 20 F/G	Sargodha
No.25 Squadron	(Night Strike) Eagles	F-7 and FT-7	Mianwali
No.26 Squadron	Black Spiders	A-5C	Peshawar
No.27 Squadron	Zarrars	Mirage	Rafiqui
No.41 Squadron		Cessna 172 Aero Commander Beach Travel	Chaklala
No.81 Squadron	Kangaroos	Alouette III	Peshawar
No.82 Squadron		Alouette III	Sargodha
No.83 Squadron		Alouette III	Rafiqui
No.84 Squadron	Dolphins	Alouette III	Masroor
No.85 Squadron		Alouette III	Samungli
No.86 Squadron		Alouette III	Mianwali
Combat Commander School	Dashing	F-7 Mirage VPA	Sargodha

On 18 April 2009 Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, who was undertaking his inaugural visits to various PAF bases after assuming the command of Pakistan Air Force, visited PAF Base Peshawar. On arrival at the base, he was presented Guard of Honor by a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force. He also reviewed the parade presented by the Base personnel. Addressing Airmen, Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman said "The first ever fighter squadron of JF-17 Thunder aircraft will be raised and stationed at Pakistan Air Force Base, Peshawar. By the end of 2009, full strength of JF-17 Thunder aircraft squadron, which will also be the first ever squadron in the world, will be operational at PAF Base, Peshawar."

The Pakistan air force began receiving new-build F-16s from Lockheed Martin beginning in 2009. The 18 aircraft on order-plus a major upgrade package for the nation's existing aircraft and further options-will dramatically enhance the service's capabilities and will bring to a close a controversial 20-year procurement saga. During that time Pakistan turned increasingly to China for the majority of its weaponry, and while it ordered large numbers of F-7 and JF-17 fighters to maintain numbers, the U.S.-made F-16s will bring a welcome boost in precision attack capability.