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1. ENGINEERING MIRAGE FROM ALIGARH by Air Commodore (R) M. Adnan Khan, Pakistan Air Force, published in The Khyber Mail, December 8th, 2023

(https://www.thekhybermail.com/blog-post/engineering-mirage-from-aligarh/)

 

ENGINEERING MIRAGE FROM ALIGARH

 

By khybermail

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 Dec 8, 2023

 

##Air Commodore M Adnan Khan#, ##Air Commodore Syed Abid Raza#, ##article#, ##Blog#, ##Chief of the Air Staff#, ##M Adnan Khan#, ##Mirage aircraft#, ##Pakistan Air Force#

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• On Birth Anniversary of Air Commodore Syed Abid Raza

• By: Air Commodore M Adnan Khan (Retd), SI(M)

It was a pleasant surprise to receive an invitation from the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), PAF, to attend the “50 years’ celebrations of services of the Mirage aircraft in PAF”. Interestingly the present CAS, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar is also a pilot of Mirage aircraft.

The ceremony was awesome with breathtaking supersonic maneuvers of the Mirage aircraft. The audience was mesmerized with the potential and capabilities of this aircraft and appreciated the selectors of this aircraft who had the vision (in 1966), that the aircraft could serve PAF for many coming years.

Among the pioneers was the then Wing Commander Syed Abid Raza, who earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Aligarh University, India in (1945-1948). He graduated with honors by securing a 2nd Position & 1st Division. Not only an excellent student, he also captained the football (soccer) team of Aligarh Muslim University (1947-1948).

Born on November 11, 1927, Syed Abid Raza Sahib belonged to a literary family in Khujwa, Siwan District, Bihar, India. His father’s name was Syed Shahid Raza, who was the elder brother of the distinguished historian and eminent scholar, Professor Syed Hasan Askari. Askari Sahib was a literary laurate recognized internationally, who worked extensively on Indian medieval history, Sufism, Delhi Sultanate & Mughals, Persian manuscripts, and original sources. Decorated by successive presidents of India with the “Ghalib Award” in 1974, “President’s Certificate of Honor” in 1979, and “Padmashree Award” in 1985, he also received several other national, state, provincial, and local awards in India. The History Department of Quaid-e-Azam University (Islamabad, Pakistan) has also announced “Professor Syed Hasan Askari Post Graduate Research Fellow Endowment” for the scholars of M(Phil) and PhD.

Syed Abid Raza Sahib joins the family tree of Prophet Muhammad (Sallalho Alaehi- wasallum) in the 40th generation. His family is also linked to Syed Jalaluddin Surkhposh, a Sufi Saint of the 13th century AD and follower of Baha-ud-din Zakariya.

Abid Raza Sahib had met Quaid-i-Azam, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah during Quaid’s political campaign/rallies when he was a student at Aligarh Muslim University.

Impressed by his thoughts and inspired by his vision for an independent state for the Muslims of Hindustan, young Raza Sahib decided to migrate to Pakistan, leaving his family behind in India. Raza Sahib arrived at the seaport of Karachi via Bombay (Mumbai), India, on Sunday, September 12, 1948, and was grieved to see thousands of mourners attending the funeral of Quaid-i-Azam, Mohammad Ali in Karachi the same day.

Syed Abid Raza Sahib decided to join the Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF) as an engineer to serve the newly earned homeland. He was commissioned in November 1948 and was immediately selected for a two-year course in “Aeronautical Engineering for Technical Officers” at Britain’s Air University AST Hamble Southampton, UK (January 1949 – March 1951), where he topped the program with flying colors (March 2, 1951). During this training course, Pilot Officer Raza had an opportunity to meet His Excellency Habib Ibrahim Reheematollah, at the Pakistan High Commission, London, and came to know the expression of the newly created state’s image by diplomatic norms.

After the successful completion of this course, Raza Sahib was posted at Royal Pakistan Air Force Academy, (Now Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan) Risalpur, for “Technical administration and first line servicing” of training aircraft. Seeing his engineering enthusiasm, Flying Officer Abid Raza was selected as staff officer to the Engineering branch’s head. Judging by his brilliance, the Flying Officer was detailed for the “Officers Aircraft Electrical & Instrument Engineering Diploma Course” at the Royal Air Force Technical College, Henlow, United Kingdom, from where he graduated with honors.

After completing the course in March 1954, Raza Sahib’s skills were utilized at an engineering depot. Here he was employed to repair and overhaul aircraft and general and purpose electrical components and instruments.

In April 1955, he was posted as “Chief Technical Officer” at RPAF Base Korangi Creek for technical management and maintenance of fleet, ground equipment, and training aids.

The same year he married Sanjida Fatima, daughter of Professor Syed Hasan Askari. They were blessed with their first son, Syed Nasir Raza in 1956. (Nasir has a Masters in Civil Engineering and is married to Dr. Sakina Fatima and has two sons, Dr. Ali Raza and Ammar Raza, an aerospace engineer by profession).
In April 1957, Raza sahib was posted to the “School of Aeronautics” as “Senior Trade Technical Officer”, at the same base. Here an important task of training the airmen of different technical trades was assigned to him.

Seeing his performance in the training setup, Syed Abid Raza Sahib was elevated to the higher office of training headquarters at RPAF Base Drigh Road (now PAF Base Faisal) in August 1957. He was made responsible for the overall training of PAF airmen in this assignment. The family was blessed with their second son, Syed Mansur Raza in 1958. Dr. Mansur Raza is married to the former foreign secretary, Mrs. Tehmina Janjua.

In March 1959, Raza sahib was posted at RPAF Base Mauripur (now PAF Base Masroor) for second-line servicing of all types of aircraft, aero-engines their components, and ground support equipment.

In May 1958, Squadron Leader Syed Abid Raza attended the “Personnel Management Course”, conducted by the “Personnel Management Mobile Training Team”, Headquarters Army Element, United States Military Advisory Group, Pakistan in Rawalpindi. After this training, the coveted appointment of “Officer Commanding Maintenance Wing” was the next career milestone at PAF Base Peshawar (January 1961 – March 1965).

As an Officer Commanding, Squadron Leader Raza attended the “Resources Management Advanced Course” by Headquarters, USAF, and C130B Maintenance Officers Familiarization Course AMF by USAF in May 24, 1963. Raza Sahib was able to create a team of dedicated engineers who ensured serviceability and operational capability of PAF aircraft during the war which erupted just six months after his departure from this seat.

In March 1965 he was posted at the Air Headquarters (AHQ) as Assistant Director of “Aircraft Engineering”, from where he and his team regulated all the engineering activities of war operations.

He was awarded the War Star (Sitara-e-Harb) in 1965, and the War Medal (Tamgha-e-Harb) the same year. Seeing his professional acumen, Raza Sahib was elevated to Director General (Engineering) at the AHQ in March, 1966. He was responsible for maintenance policies, directives, innovations, and evaluation for the induction of new equipment for the PAF. By now, he was considered an authority on maintenance, training, evaluation, and modifications.

Utilizing his credentials, S. A. Raza was posted as Deputy Director of Projects at the AHQ in December 1966. The key task was to technically evaluate the induction of the “Mirage” aircraft system in PAF. This new weapon system was being used by the leading air forces of the world at that time. PAF wanted to evaluate its efficacy considering its own tactical and operational requirements.

After a thorough evaluation, Raza sahib recommended the induction of the “Mirage” aircraft owing to its endurance, reliability, speed, structure, and multi-role functions that were much needed by PAF. He was also appointed the first Technical Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan, in France. Wing Commander Raza and his dedicated team ensured the delivery of six mirages to Pakistan in 1967, which were flown to PAF Base Mauripur (now Masroor) Karachi on March 18, 1968. No. 5 Squadron of Pakistan Air Force had the honor to receive this new system. During their stay in France, Allah blessed the Razas with their first daughter (Shazia Fatima Raza) in 1968.

On return from France, Wing Commander Syed Abid Raza was posted at the AHQ as Deputy Director Aircraft Engineering in June 1970. He diligently formulated maintenance policies and upgrading PAF aircraft and aero engines. Due to consistent engineering support by the engineers of PAF, Mirage aircraft were fully operational by the 1971 War, and flew over 200 day and night sorties from PAF Base Sargodha (now Mushaff) and PAF Base Mianwali (now Alam). He ensured the availability of engineering facilities for all types of aircraft during the 1971 war. After the war of 1971, he was awarded the War Star (Sitara-e-Harb) 1971, and War Medal (Tamgha-e-Jang) 1971.

Upon being promoted to the rank of Group Captain, Syed Abid Raza was honored to command the biggest aircraft engineering depot/maintenance unit at PAF Base Faisal in February 1972. Here his team, completed overhaul/modifications to aircraft, aero-engines, and other components. His team was also successful in manufacturing some spare parts, tools, test equipment, and ground support equipment. Being the only aerospace repair unit, it attained the status of the engineering backbone of PAF during his tenure. During the same posting, Allah tested him by recalling his beloved daughter back to the heavenly abode, who encountered a tragic death, in 1972. Finding Raza Sahib and his family submitting to Allah’s will, he was blessed with another son, Syed Ahmer Raza in 1974. Ahmer, who has an engineering and management background, is married to Sara, currently spearheading Professor Syed Hasan Askari Historiography Project.

Group Captain Syed Abid Raza also remains a member of the executive managing committee of Pakistan Defense Officers Co-operative Housing Authority (PDOCHS) Karachi (1976), now known as Defense Housing Authority (DHA), Karachi.

On completion of his tenure at this engineering depot, he was promoted to the rank of Air Commodore and was hand-picked for “Deputy Director P-721 Project” at Kamra in July 1976. This strategic project was conceived for an “Aeronautical Overhaul Factory” in 1972, where facilities for the repair and overhaul of jet aircraft, manufacturing of aircraft parts, and drop tanks were to be established.

Being the first of its nature, the project was placed directly under the Ministry of Defense. Raza managed to speedily steer this strategic asset of Pakistan. Later he was appointed as Project Director in September for this appointment. In September 1977, Raza sahib was elected as a member of The Royal Aeronautical Society established for the General Advancement of Aeronautical Art, Science & Engineering. In 1978, Raza sahib attended the “Joint Services Defense Resource Management Course” given by the Ministry of Defence by US Department of Defence.

For meritorious services, Air Commodore Syed Abid Raza was awarded the coveted medal of “Sitar-e-Basalat (Star of Good Conduct)” by the then President of Pakistan, Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry in 1978.

Air Commodore Raza was the last Project Director P-721 (till June 1979), which was upgraded to F-6 Rebuild Factory in June 1979. He was the first Managing Director (MD), which he continued till December 1980. Air Commodore Syed Abid Raza honorably retired from active military service on November 11, 1980.

Air Commodore Raza Sahib continued his innings at Shaheen Foundation (a subsidiary of PAF) as Director Shaheen Builders (November 1980 – October 1987) and Project Manager/Managing Director/General Manager SWE-PAK Pharmaceutical (November 1987 – April 1991). He has completed mega projects (incorporating Italian & Swedish resources and technologies). He also oversaw the completion of Shaheen Complex, with the first “Revolving Restaurant” in Karachi, Bini-Shells for warehouses & storage facilities, PTDC Restaurant at Daman-E-Koh, Islamabad, and the Cadets’ Mess, PAF Asghar Khan Academy Risalpur. He later established the SWE-PAK Pharmaceutical Plant in Hub Baluchistan (October 1987 – April 1991). Air Commodore Raza left Shaheen Foundation, PAF due to his deteriorating health in April 1991. He passed away in PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi on April 4, 2000, at the age of 73 after a courageous battle with serious medical conditions, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Famous poet John Aelia, had sarcastically termed the creation of Pakistan as the “Mischief of kids of Aligarh”. Proudly this mischief not only led to independence but also laid the foundations of sound engineering in support of the aerial defense of Pakistan by a team of engineers. Syed Abid Raza from Aligarh was one of them.

May Air Commodore Syed Abid Raza rest in eternal peace!

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Also published in Frontier Post: ENGINEERING MIRAGE FROM ALIGARH by M. Adnan Khan, published in The Frontier Post, January 2024

(https://thefrontierpost.com/engineering-mirage-from-aligarh/)

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The Urdu language translation was published as "Aligarh sey engineering Mirage" by Ibn-e-Taha, published in "Roznama Authority (Daily Authority)" February 6th, 2024

(https://e.dailyauthority.pk/page.php?Page=2&date=06-02-2024&city=isb)

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2. “Lightening Blue Flash in Blue Skies” by Ibn-e-Taha, published in The Khyber Mail, January 15th, 2024 

(https://www.thekhybermail.com/blog-post/lightening-blue-flash-in-blue-skies/)

 

“Lightening Blue Flash in Blue Skies”

 

Bykhybermail
 

Jan 15, 2024

##Air force#, ##aviation deal#, ##aviation industry#, ##Aviation sector#, ##france#, ##Ibn-e-Taha#, ##Lightening Blue Flash#, ##Mirage aircraft#, ##Pakistan Air Force#, ##Pakistan#

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• By: Ibn-e-Taha

Founder of Pakistan had witnessed utility of air power in World-War II. Shades of his understanding and perception about an air force are visible in famous speech which he delivered on 13 April, 1948 at RPAF school Risalpur (Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan). Pakistan Air Force is also fortunate, having commanders who endeavored purchasing the best available aircraft of the era in the initial days of PAF. Constant quality technical /logistics support and skilled human resource coupled the efficiency of PAF. Hence group of committed people made it a dynamic combination of men-machines, ensuring a small but effective organization.

In pursuance of Quaid-e-Azam’s vision, PAF overcame challenges with a small number of personnel and insufficient equipment and emerged into a powerful component of the country’s defense into a brief period. Today undoubtedly it stands as one of the finest institutions of country.

PAF inducted latest air fleet according to its’ needs and envisaged air operations. PAF inducted “Halifax” bomber (1948-54), Hawker Sea Fury (1950-56), first jet aircraft “Attacker” (1951-58), bombers B-57 (1959-85), Gloster Meteor and Spitfire (during 50s), F-86 (Sabres,1955-80), Starfighter F-104 (1961-72), Chinese F-6 (Farmer) 1966-2002, Mirage III and Mirage V in 1968 and 1982 respectively (still in service), F-16 in 1983 (still in service), F-7 (1988-2002), indigenously built JF-17 (Thunder) inducted in 2007, JF-17 B and C (ongoing), J-10 in 2023 (4.5 generation aircraft) and its’ modified version in 2024. Air Staff is working on 5 Generation aircraft (J-31/KAAN). PAF has shown capabilities of advanced electronic warfare buying aircraft DA-20 and SAAB-2000. PAF has also worked on the CBT Drones and has an inventory of TB II/AKINNCI, Falco, Buraq, Bravo, CH4, Shahpar, Ababeel and Baz. PAF is also one of the few air forces which can carry out air -to-air refueling of aircraft.

Embargo after 1965 War, led to serviceability issues of main stay fleet F-86, B-57 and F-104. Air Marshal Nur Khan, Commander-in-Chief of PAF proposed to government to immediately arrange for one squadron of Mirage III from France. The second-generation fighter aircraft was considered state of the art aircraft in 1966 with supersonic speed (Mach 2). It was fastest speed of any European aircraft at that time. French aircraft is a unique design of “Delta” wing with a fuselage (body) designed according to the area rule. It is ideally suited to PAF being a multi-role aircraft having capabilities of a night bombing, night interception, advanced electronics to launch missiles and deep penetration into enemy’s territory. It could also accommodate relevant electronic systems (navigation center, Doppler radar). The aircraft is diversified having different versions i.e. dual-control two-seater version, interceptor version, low-altitude air strikes, Reconnaissance and bombing.

For the newly inducted system, war hero of 1965 war, Wing Commander MM Alam (retired as Air Commodore), was made operational in-charge. His role included, selection of pilots, their training in Pakistan and France respectively. Alam had his team comprising Squadron Leader Hakimullah and Squadron Leader Farooq F Khan (both later retired as Chief of Air Staff), Squadron Leader Farooq Umar (retired as Air Vice Marshal), Flight Lieutenant Arif Manzoor (embraced shahadat in Syria in a flying accident) and Flight Lieutenant Akhtar Rao (later retired as a Squadron Leader).

At the Air Headquarters French weapon system “Mirage-III”, under project “Blue Flash” was established. Wing Commander Abid Raza was selected as the engineering in-charge who was posted to Paris. His other team members were Squadron Leader Najmuddin and Squadron Leader Suzard. It was a daunting task, but done excellently by Wing Commander MM Alam and Abid Raza. Both proved hand in glove for technical and flying activities.

Initially six Mirage aircraft were to be ferried from France to Pakistan in winters which necessitated extensive experience on instrument flying in clouds and fog. Preparations for instrument flying were extensively done in at Sargodha (Mushaf) and the pilots underwent rigorous training of instrument under MM Alam.

Considering long route journey and European weather conditions, weather forecast and route were carefully analyzed and implemented. The pilots were also trained in France for conversion flying and simulator flying on German border called STRASSBURG. Conversion of flight training of six PAF pilots was completed at Dijon Air Force Base. Return voyage was planned via Italy, Turkey, Iran, Karachi and finally Sargodha (Mushaf) in three formations (02 aircraft each). All along the route, the weather was cloudy, the land was not visible, and the pilots had to fly clouds of less than 200 ft and land through Ground Controlled Approach at each of the enroute airfields. By the grace of God, the dedicated team ensured the delivery of six aircraft to PAF Base Mauripur (PAF Base Masroor) as scheduled.

Technical training of PAF Engineers in France was for six months and Wing Commander Syed Abid Raza arranged the PAF engineers training in an amicable manner. After technical training, PAF engineers’ team was flown by PAF C-130 with three refueling stops namely; Brindisi Airport Italy, Ankara Turkish Air Base, and Tehran Airport via return to Pakistan. Tiresome efforts, good team-work, excellent planning and follow up of “Blue Flash” project team enabled Pakistan Air Force successfully inducting this weapon system. Syed Abid Raza and his team on the engineering side and MM Alam along with their team on the flying side deserve special kudos. Later Air Commodore Abid Raza also established repair facilities for aircraft at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra. Today Pakistan air force is the only country where Mirage-III aircraft are still operational mainly due to Mirage Re-build Factory (MRF) where Mirage aircraft and its’ engines are being repaired/overhauled and kept air worthy since its’ inception.

The six aircraft were handed over to No. 5 Squadron which was fully operational by the 1971 War. During the war, it flew over 200 day and night sorties from its home base, Sargodha (Mushaff), along with a detachment in Mianwali (MM Alam Base). Wing Commander Hakeem Ullah (later Air Chief) was the Officer Commanding of No 5 Sqn who claimed none of the aircraft was lost during the war.

When the first 6 blue flash aircraft reached Pakistan, moral of the country went sky high and very warm reception in the entire city in Karachi was given to the pilots. MM Alam decided to fly over the city of Karachi in this 6 Mirage formation and the entire country invited them for various functions. Muslim countries also asked for technical and operational assistance from Pakistan on Mirage aircraft. Air Vice Marshal Farooq Umar was sent to Libya to induct 110 new Mirages being purchased by the Libyan Air Force.

PAF continued legacy of their predecessors and purchased Mirage V in 1972. This version had more speed (2.3 Mach), more range (2485 Miles compared to 100 miles of Mirage III), more rate of climb, conventional drop bombs and reconnaissance pods.

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Photograph: Wing Commander Syed Abid Raza (later retired as Air Commodore), as Head of Project Blue Flash I, representing Pakistan Air Force, sitting in the middle second from left, signing the official documents. Squadron Leader Najmuddin (later retired as Group Captain) is sitting first from left and Squadron Leader Suzard (later retired as Air Commodore) sitting third from left. The photograph shows French officials standing behind them (France, December 1966 – June 1970).

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​In 1991, France stopped producing Mirage III and spare parts had ceased. Similarly, repeated embargoes have led to self-reliance, innovations and ingenuities. To meet the requirement, Pakistan acquired 50 Australian-built Mirages, retired by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1988. Eight of the ex-RAAF Mirages entered service with the PAF immediately, while another 33 were upgraded under a PAF project known as (“Retrofit of Strike Element”), with new equipment including Head up Display (HUD), Hands on Throttle controls (HOTAS), multi-function display (MFD), radar altimeter, Nav/attack system inertial Navigation system, GPS, Radar Warning Receiver, Electronic Counter Measures, Decoy flare, and Chaff dispenser. In 1999 Griffo radar was also installed.

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Photograph: Group of personnel working on Mirage in a delta shape (wing shape of Mirage) aircraft

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Ten Lebanese Air Force aircraft were purchased in 2000 and in 2003. Another 15 Mirage IIIEEs and 5 Mirage IIIDEs were obtained from the Spanish Air Force for cannibalization. From 2011, the PAF Mirage fleet had been modified to carry Hatf-vii cruise missiles and to accommodate aerial refueling probes of South African origin. Subsequently, Mirage aircraft have been modified to accept additional equipment and munitions, such as Chinese PL-12 air-to-air missiles. PAF has also acquired Mirage III from Dubai for meeting the spares requirement. Having been in service since 1968, the Mirage fleet, serves as the primary strike aircraft of the PAF. Today Mirage aircraft had a record of having served in 21 countries around the world in with more than 80 versions. Today Pakistan Air Force is the seventh largest air force with limited airmen and equipment, but maintains the ideology of Jinnah

“……. Aircraft and personnel in any numbers are of little use, unless there is a team spirit within the Air force and a strict sense of discipline prevails. I charge you to remember that only with discipline and self-reliance can the Royal Pakistan Air Force be worthy of Pakistan”.

In a recent ceremony, Air Chief, Zaheer Ahmed Sidhu has stated, latest inductions in PAF’s arsenal comprising J-10 C (fighter jets) air mobility platforms, modern radars, unmanned aerial systems, loitering munition capabilities, and long-range vectors have significantly bolstered the aerial defense capabilities of the country. He mentioned “Center of Excellence for Air Mobility & Aviation Safety”, “College of Air Defense” and reinvigoration of “Air Power Centre of Excellence” alongside the operationalization of “National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP)” has provided PAF the capability to “stay abreast with the evolving challenges.” Sidhu also emphasized the progress achieved by the PAF in the emerging domains of cyber and space technologies to ensure an impregnable defense of the country. It was heartening to learn national air defense is in safe hands. Air Chiefs come and go but Mirage remains in service since last 55 years.

• Khan_adnan040@yahoo.com

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The Urdu language translation was published as "Neelgu Afaq Mein Neelgu Sholay" by Ibn-e-Taha, published in "Roznama Authority (Daily Authority)" February 17th, 2024

(https://e.dailyauthority.pk/page.php?Page=2&date=17-02-2024&city=isb)​​

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