PAF Base Murid, (Urdu: پی اے ایف بیس مرید) is an operational flying base of the Pakistan Air Force located near the village of Murid in the Chakwal District of Punjab. It houses the UCAV and UAV fleet of the PAF.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Murid Airbase | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murid, Chakwal District in Pakistan | |||||||
  Murid Airbase Location of Murid Airbase in Pakistan  Murid Airbase Murid Airbase (Pakistan) | |||||||
| Coordinates | 32°54′36″N 72°46′26″E / 32.91000°N 72.77389°E | ||||||
| Type | PAF Base | ||||||
| Site information | |||||||
| Owner | Ministry of Defence (Pakistan) | ||||||
| Operator | Pakistan Air Force | ||||||
| Controlled by | Northern Air Command | ||||||
| Open to the public | No | ||||||
| Condition | Operational | ||||||
| Site history | |||||||
| Built | 1942 | ||||||
| Built by | British Raj | ||||||
| In use | 1942 – present | ||||||
| Garrison information | |||||||
| Garrison |
| ||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||
| Elevation | 540 metres (1,772 ft) AMSL | ||||||
| |||||||
| Source: Scramble.nl[7] | |||||||
History
editThe airfield was established by the British in 1942 as an RIAF Air Station. After Pakistan gained independence in 1947, the airfield was renamed as the No. 784 Readiness Flight and served as a Forward operating base for the PAF.[4]
Gradually, the airfield was installed with Airfield Lightening Systems (AFLS) and PAR systems. In 2013, the airfield was re-structured and subsequently named PAF Base Murid with its operational status being upgraded to Main operating base in December 2014. As the PAF's drone fleet expands, the No. 42 Flying Wing has been established at the base with major infrastructure plans to transform the base.[4] 8 hangers constructed to house various kinds of combat drones. 3 under construction.
Units
editVarious UAV and UCAV squadrons of the No. 42 Flying Wing operate out of Murid Airbase.[4]
- No. 60 Strategic Squadron — Operates Shahpar-1 UAVs
- No. 61 Strategic Squadron — Formerly operated 5 NESCOM Burraqs. Currently undergoing training on Shahpar-Is.
- No. 64 CUAS Squadron — Operates Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs.
- No. 65 MR UAS Squadron — Operates Baykar Bayraktar Akıncı HALE UCAVs.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Khan, Arslan (2 June 2022). "Pakistan is confirmed as a TB2 user". Shephard Media. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ Kadidal, Akhil; Parakala, Akshara (13 October 2022). "Pakistan integrating TB2 into air-defence network". Janes. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ "Islamabad prepares to receive Turkish Akinci observation drone in Murid". Intelligence Online. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d Khan, Farhat; Hashmi, Qadeer (2024). History of the Pakistan Air Force (2014-2023): The Next Generation Air Force (1st ed.). pp. 235–237. ISBN 978-969-7518-01-2.
- ^ Islam, Syed Aseem Ul (5 July 2020). "PAKISTAN'S UAV DEVELOPMENT, DEPLOYMENT, AND FUTURE". Quwa. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
The backbone of Pakistan's drone fleet comprises by three UAV platforms: the Leonardo Falco, NESCOM Burraq, and GIDS Shahpar. Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Mujahid Anwar Khan visited PAF Murid Airbase on 1st July 2020 and was photographed with all three UAVs.
- ^ "Air Chief Visits An Operational Base And Special Services Wing Of PAF". Daily Times. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ "PAF ORBAT". Scramble.nl. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
External links
edit- Pakistan Aviation
- Chart at Pakistan Aviation
- Pakistani Nuclear Forces at Global Security
- Global Security