FIZA’YA II: Pakistan Air Force 1990-2025

Ravi Rikhye & Pushpindar Singh Chopra

This is a long-delayed follow-up to Fiza’ya: The Pakistan Air Force 1947-1990, by Pushpindar Singh Chopra and Ravi Rikhye. The delay was occasioned by Ravi’s departure in 1989 for home in the US, and then the unfortunate and much-too-early death of Pushpindar Singh.

The book covers the PAF 1990-2024; its successes and failures; and particularly its orders of battle during this period. It covers PAF operations, modernisation, and the growth of Pakistan Air Force co-operations with a variety of allies and like-minded nations. The book particularly emphasises the growth of Pakistan-China air nexus.

Though direct comparison with the Indian Air Force is avoided, it becomes clear meanwhile India has failed in its air modernisation to the point it is barely superior to the PAF as opposed to the former’s historic 3-1 superiority. Factor in the rise of China as a co-belligerent against India, and the salient point of this book is India is totally outclassed in the air.

Ravi Rikhye & Pushpindar Singh Chopra

Ravi Rikhye became obsessed with global military orders-of-battle in 1960. He worked for fifty-years with Pushpindar Singh; who was the inspiration and brains behind their works. Ravi left India for the US, followed by two decades in India ending in 1989.

In India, Ravi wrote over 500 articles, plus books and papers. He has a total of about 35+ books, many refused permission to publish by the Government of India.

(Late) Pushpindar Singh was internationally well-known for his research and writing on Indian aviation matters for over five decades, being regarded as virtual chronicler of India’s aviation history and present times. He has 30+ books authored to his credit and is the Founder of the Vayu Aerospace & Defence Review Journal that has just completed 50 years.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Tables and Figures

1. The PAF Versus the Afghan and Soviet Air Forces
2. 1990-2000
3. Kargil 1999
4. 2000-2010: The Opportunity Decade
5. 2010-2020: The Best Decade
6. 2020-2024
7. Conclusion
8. Operation Sindoor (May 7 to May 11, 2025)

Appendix I
Appendix II
Appendix III
Index