In the modern age, any nation that wants to ensure its borders are impenetrable, needs a strong and technologically advanced air force. An air force is part of the national armed forces which conducts aerial warfare. An nation's air force also provides close air support (CAS) to its armed forces and allies.
The various air forces in existance today consist of fighter aircrafts, transport aircrafts, bombers, reconnaissance aircrafts and a number of other types of aircraft. Since WW2 aircrafts have played a pivotal role in the outcome of many battles and wars. Aircrafts played a significant role in World War I & II, the Falklands war, and the Gulf wars.
A nation with air superiority will have control of the skies and hence a major advantage over its opponents. These reasons alone make it essential for a future Khilafah to field the best air force in the world. The head of the air force in the Khilafah will be the Chief of Air Staff (Highest post within the air force) and this post will report to the Ameer of Jihad and the Khaleefah is the Commander in-Chief. The Chief of Air Staff will be responsible for managing and upgrading the air force. There will be various divisions within the air force and each division will have a specific responsibility. For example some divisions will be dedicated to carrying out surveillance whilst other divisions will be dedicated to carrying out aerial warfare; these divisions will primarily consist of fighter jets.
Muslim World
The Khilafah will make use of the current infrastructure that exists within the Muslim world which is used to design and develop aircrafts. The state will also take ownership of the current aircrafts that exist within the air forces of the Muslim world as these assets are the property of the state. The existing aircrafts will be used to defend the Khilafah from its inception. Countries such as Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia have made advancements in military aviation.
The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has been producing fighter aircraft under license and this includes a total of 232 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft for the Turkish Air Force. Many of the F-16s built by Turkish Aerospace Industries were also exported to other countries. The Turkish Aerospace Industries also manufactures the following hardware:
• Panels for the Airbus 319/320/321 aircraft
• Wing tips and flight deck panels for Boeing 737 aircraft
• Rear doors and engine cowlings for Eurocopter EC135 helicopters
• Nose landing gear doors for the Boeing 747
• UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)
Pakistan has the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) which assembles and manufactures aircraft for the Pakistani air force. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex has also developed the MFI-17 Mushshak which is used as a trainer by the Pakistani air force. The facility also carries out maintenance on various fighter jets such as the F-16 and Dassault Mirage 5. Pakistan and China jointly developed the JF-17 Thunder (4th generation fighter jet). Pakistan has also created cruise missiles which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Turkish and Pakistani fighter pilots are among some of the best fighter pilots in the world. Pakistani fighter pilots provide training to pilots of other Muslim countries. Fighter pilots from Pakistan participated in the 1967 Arab-Israeli 'Six-Day' War siding with the Muslims of the Arab countries.
Iran has developed the Saeqeh-80 single-seater fighter jet. The Indonesian Aerospace Company (IAE) has been designing and developing parts for various aircrafts and it currently produces the NC212 (transport aircraft) under license. Currently a number of Muslim countries possess air defenses and these air defenses constitute various ground-to-air missiles (GTAM), jamming devices, radars and many other aspects which are required for an effective air defence. Air defences are used in conjunction with the air force with the purpose of protecting a nation's borders.
There airbases are dotted all over the Muslim world and this is an advantage that the Khilafah will have from its inception. The airbases will provide the Khilafah with an opportunity to deploy aircrafts and ground forces anywhere within the Khilafah at a moment's notice. If there were to be natural disasters, the airbases will also be used for relief operations.
The Khilafah will ensure that it enhances the current infrastructure that exists within the Muslim world so that the state can design and develop both civilian and fighter aircrafts independently without assistance from outside. The air force of the Khilafah will have the following advantages:
• Control over strategic international airspace and naval straits
• Access to large reserves of oil and other natural resources which will be required to develop and power the air force
• One of the largest and technologically advanced air forces in the world
Strengths
The Muslim world is situated in a strategic geographical position giving the Khilafah control of a strategic airspace. Therefore both military and civilian aircrafts of other nations will have to seek permission from the Khilafah to fly through its air space. Today, the US and its allies have launched air attacks against Muslim countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan due to corrupt Muslim governments giving permission to the US and its allies to fly through their air space and this is the fundamental reason why the US and its allies were successful in the air. Had permission been refused to the US and its allies, it would have been very difficult for the US and its allies to launch an air assault upon Iraq and Afghanistan. For an air force to carry out an assault operation on a country, it requires friendly airspace which is in close proximity to the country that will be attacked. For example an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) or an air refuelling tanker requires friendly airspace to fly over as these types of aircrafts cannot fly over hostile territory.
Currently Muslim countries lack development in a number of key areas, which are essential for developing a strong air force. The Muslim countries lack development in aircraft carriers (a warship with the primary objective of deploying and recovering aircraft), air to air refueling technology, AWACS technology and many other aspects which are required to gain air superiority. The Khilafah will have policies in place that will drive forward the design and development of the necessary technology that will be required for gaining air superiority. The state will need to set up institutions that will be dedicated to nurturing aerospace engineers. These engineers will be responsible for the design and development of different types of aircraft (military and civilian), aircraft carriers, guided missiles, aircraft engines, helicopters, propulsion units and other related parts. The institutions will also be responsible for producing fighter pilots and pilots for civilian usage. The Khilafah will need to ensure that these institutions provide the best training in the world. To project an image of strength to the world, the Khilafah will provide military hardware to its allies and conduct military exercises with them.
It will take time for the Khilafah to gain air superiority. If we look at the US, it took them decades through trial and error to achieve air superiority. Despite the corrupt Muslim Governments, the Muslim world has had some limited success in the aviation field. If a sincere leadership arises within the Muslim world, this leadership will unite the Muslim world leading to the natural resources, pilots and aerospace engineers of the Muslim world merging together with the aim of developing the best air force in the world. This will aid the state in spreading Islam throughout the world. The main reason why the US has the best air force in the world is due to its vision; which is to dominate the world and be the leading nation. Any nation with global aspirations will succeed in attaining dominance as its vision will push it to acquire economic and technological might allowing it to become a super power.
The Khilafah has a vision which is to spread Islam to the whole world, and this vision will naturally push the Khilafah state to acquire technological and economic strength. At its height the Khilafah had control over large swathes of the world and the majority of the technological advancements of the time emanated from the Khilafah. This was due to the vision of the Khilafah which was to spread the light of Islam to the world.
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Jay Smith
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@ Dr Q A... Dr Q A, some individuals are beyond change due to their selfish material interests or because of their superficial love for all things western. Remember, whomsoever Allah guides there’s none to misguide and whomsoever Allah misguides there is none to guide. Therefore, thankfully it’s not about changing individuals or personalities but it is all about removing a corrupt system of government and replacing it with a an entirely new system of governance. With an entirely new leadership all the influential and powerful members of the bureaucracy and security apparatus will have to follow the new agenda as set about by the new leadership. All the industrialists, technologists, business and religious leaders within the Muslim world will operate under a new set of guidelines with the advent of this new leadership. This leadership will be based solely upon on the Kitaab and Suuna and will be premised upon mass popular support. The ideological state will be politically astute and will set the society upon the correct path and will have great but realistic vision. The quality of any society is reflective of its leadership. The quality of a society is not just based on how much oil reserves it has or whether it has the best fighter jet technology. By the way, I like the utube video. I know Pakistan’s Nuclear assets aren’t as advanced as America’s ones but how is Sardari putting that Nuclear deterrent to use in safeguarding Pakistan’s interests and sovereignty? Get the point brothers and sisters! |
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Mr Nazam caan
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Brilliant article, more material like this required. One becomes frolicsome when reading anecdotes (sic) like this. Instead of demeaning let us be sanguine. Some may say it is a chimera, but who decides victory. Lets not get stuck in reverie, because Inshallah manana although this development is nascent I believe if we stop dithering and being cantankerous and rather begin working together, we will be able to achieve great things. “ If there is no struggle, there is no progress. “ -Frederick Douglass |
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Dr Q A
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@ Jay... As I said... Just how do we change the slave mindset of the influentials and powerful in the Muslim world is the million dinar question... The following may please a lot of our readers... :) Allah Akbar!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3FVetjc3g |
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Jay Smith
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It is clear that sufficient technology, manpower and resources will be required as ‘TOOLS’ to liberate the Muslims from the Economic, Political and Military stranglehold Western Colonial Powers have over Muslim land. But all the technology, manpower and resources in the world will be rendered useless and impotent if they’re not utilised properly. For example, the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia have been rendered useless since they haven’t been utilized properly. Saudi Arabia is unable to provide jobs for its people and unable to meet the basic needs of its population. Saudi Arabia hasn’t been able to establish a strong economy with all that oil! Never the less China and Japan, two countries that probably don’t have a drop of oil between them, have become some of the largest economies in the world. Egypt has the highest number of PHDs per square capita, and yet has been unable to industrialise and make sufficient technological progress. A country the size of Britain was able to conquer 2 fifths of the known world and Vietnam was able to defeat AMERICA. So it’s not the material wealth, technology, manpower or resources of a nation that makes that nation successful. It is the ability of a nation to make good use of the few resources it has that makes all the difference. What is the point of having the best technology in the world when it could all go to waste just like the oil reserves of Saudi. You could have the very best technology the world has ever seen, but if you have treacherous leaders that are bereft of a vision and have such a slavish mentality all the technology in the world will do nothing for you. With few but sufficient technological resources the Muslim World can still become a success. All the Muslims need is to develop the productive way of thinking and establish sincere leadership. This in turn will give them direction & vision and enable them to overcome all difficulties, remove all obstacles, turn the global political tide in their favour and enable them to take up their rightful place on earth as world leaders. |
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Bilal
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Yes Sweden is a good example, and you can see that even with a limited R&D budget Pakistani industries were able to accomplish a number of interesting feats. Sure they got a lot of help from South Africa and are presently working with Turkey and Brazil, but nonetheless they've acquired some potent capabilities. For example, the Ra'ad cruise missile and H2/H4 glide-bombs allow PAF fighters such as JF-17, Mirage ROSE and later FC-20 to attack Indian installations from deep within friendly territory...the precision-guidance systems (based on U.S GPS but likely to be phased over to Chinese Beidu later) also allow it to strike in day/night and in all weather conditions. It is believed that the Ra'ad-series of ALCM will see further improvement in terms of range, potentially reaching the strategic-mark of around 1000-1200km ... a number of joint-development programs with Turkey (in the form of turbojet and airframe technology) certainly suggest as much. Another area is the development of submunitions on cruise missiles and stand-off glide bombs, which would allow say Ra'ad to take out airstrips/take-off runways hundreds of km in enemy territory. Similar developments are taking place in Turkey as well...as both Turkey and Pakistan are combining their respective strengths. That said, the Khilafah will also need a robust space-sector in order to augment its aeronautical capabilities...precision-guided bombs/missiles and advanced communication systems require GPS-type satellites. The Europeans have developed their Galileo-network, the Russians their GLONASS and the Chinese their Beidu...the Khilafah will need its own as well in order to ensure the survivability & optimal performance of its weapon-systems. |
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Dr Q A
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The problem we face is not that of lack of talent but rather the folllowing... 1. A shallow and slave mentality... A few days ago I was discussing something on a pakistan defence forum and someone stated that the Americans are a hundred years ahead of us in technology... This is nothing but slave mentality because the Muslim world is NOT using Wright Brothers hardware... 2. Another person commented that the Americans can bring their aircraft carrier near any country and destroy it if they wanted... again slave mentality... the person had nothing to say when I gave him the example of the Chinese anti aircraft carrier missile or for that purpose we can even use a tactical nuke strike if we see one of their aircraft carriers coming closer than what we may like... 3. The political will... thats all we need... Back in the days of the cold war... the Swedish airforce realized that they were up against a giant airforce of the USSR so to counteract that they decided to develop a very good fighter "the Grippin" and opted for hit and run tactics... They also practiced landing their planes on motorways instead of airstrips... they developed the skills where once their plane lands on the motorway the technical teams run from the jungle surrounding the motorway section and place more bombs and fuel tanks on the plane and off the plane goes again for another strike... Its all about the will brothers and sisters... 4. The problem we have in Pakistan is that the military establishment like the civil administration is very corrupt as well as secular despite elements of Islam in it... just how do we change this is the golden question of the day... |
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Bilal
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Salamualaikum, br. Arif Hussain, While the F-16s are 1970s-era technology, they currently form the backbone of most major Western and key non-Western (mainly Muslim) air forces, and will stay such in both camps for another couple decades at least. The reason is quite simple, it is a reasonably priced but highly effective airframe with enough room for electronic upgrades. For example, the U.S. is already implementing various upgrade programs for its F-16s through the development of AESA radars, next-generation ECM/EW suites, next-gen weapon-systems (AMRAAM-D & AIM-9X) and so on. Granted it is also inducting 5th-generation F/A-22 and F-35, the 4+ generation F-16s will remain in service as mainstay fighters. The irony of the Muslim world is the number of countries in possession of the F-16-series...Turkey with 200+, Egypt with 200+, UAE with 80, Pakistan will have a fleet of close to 100 and Iraq is exploring the acquisition of up to 100 (with an additional order of 18 already requested). Any one or two of these countries serving the Khilafah would allow the Ummah considerable breathing space, and the Khilafah would need to just upgrade the F-16s - but not to a massive extent as the ones in the Muslim lands are actually optimal variants (and the UAE ones superior to U.S models). Nonetheless, there are a number of additional developments emerging in various parts of the Muslim lands with regards to aviation beyond just simple acquisitions: 1. Turkey will license-manufacture parts of the 5th generation F-35 and is exploring the complete license manufacture of a 4.5+ generation fighter, possibly Eurofighter Typhoon or South Korean KFX. 2. Pakistan is manufacturing the JF-17 at PAC in Kamra, and will eventually phase into manufacturing the entire airframe, radar, avionics and weapon-systems. Once the JF-17 induction is completed, it is expected that Pakistan would approach China for the joint-development & production of a light-medium weight 5th generation design similar to F-35. 3. Egypt is reportedly negotiating with Pakistan for 92 JF-17 with rights to produce much of its order domestically, although it is unknown whether this is assembly of pre-fabricated ktis or actual manufacture. 4. Indonesia reportedly signed an MoU with South Korea on the KFX (4.5 generation) program. 5. Saudi Arabia acquired the Eurofighter Typhoon (4.5-gen) with technology-transfer arrangements, the country wants to bolster its indigenous defence industry as well. Clearly many areas in the Muslim lands are managing to organize the talent and industrial capacity to sustain aviation programs - even though under flawed establishments. That said, it is true substantial funding will be required in order for the Khilafah to develop a contemporary fighter program - no doubt. However, I think the main point of the above article and the website in general is that the Muslim lands actually NEED PROPER GOVERNANCE in order to even have a chance at achieving such ends...and that such ends should be pursued for the SAKE OF ALLAH (SWT) AND NONE OTHER so that we could combine or capabilities with HIS help and endless bounties. Who is to say that under Khilafah the Ummah won't give birth to a new pioneer of aviation technology? Who is to say that with the emergence of Khilafah that the greedy defence industries of the West further constrain those countries' R&D with higher costs, IP-related issues, etc? |
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Abu husna
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Its encouraging to learn that several muslim countries have better innfrastructers,what we are now lacking is sincere leadership that will unite muslim soldiers who wili fight in the cause of Allah in ranks as if they are solid structure. |
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Abdallah Ahmed
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It's pitiful that while you are writing down this article, in reality it is happening in true sense in an Islamic republic - Saudi Arabia. Spending Billions to benefit the U.S.A gearing up, allegedly to fight another Islamic state - Iran. As Bob Marley once sang "Check out the real situation, nation fight against nation. When did it all begin and when will it end? It seems like total destruction is the only solution...ain't no use no one can stop them now" We Muslims for forsaking Allah teachings and commandments he too has forsaken us. Did we not once have an empire so big, that it stretched from one continent to the other? where is it now? Even if we pile up nuclear heads the size of a mountain, while our Iman and Taqwa remains weak, it will be futile, for the true achievement is with Allah(s.w). Allah guide and protect us, but we are doomed. |
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arif hussain
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Jzk for the article. I do also agree with Kazi but do not see these two statements asconflicting in sentiment. F16s are 20 yrs old technology and would be decimated by the american airforce in a dog fight. Yes we need an airforce and our own jets - certainly. But the immediate defense plan should focus on developing missile technology to destroy their aircraft carriers and runways. This is cheap, and the technology is not overly sophisticated (pak and iranian missile programmes can easily be ramped up and quickly deliver this). One must play according to one's strengths. A million pound missle can destroy a $5 billion aircraft carrier. it's these kind of realistic equalizers that must be the immediate objective, although agreed medium term deliverables must be focused on technologies (fighter jets etc) that can project strength in offensive manouevers. Agree with Kazi's comment. Admirable effort from the website to start thinking on this level, but to be taken seriously there needs to be Far more depth and realism. Please consider this comment. Wslm |
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Dr Q A
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I would like to mention in passing that the first state to have an air force was the Ottoman State... |
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Jay Smith
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Kazi Mahmood, first let me say how refreshing it is to read critical and descenting comments such as yours. Let me also quote a part of your comment “the article should have concentrated on the facts first before the too usual rhetoric”. Kazi, the article did concentrate upon the facts. It clearly illustrated the strengths and weaknesses of the Air Force that currently exists in the Muslim World. The article didn’t lay out a strategy for countering western domination of Muslim Land. The Air Force (although not fully developed) could be used as one of many tools to counter western dominance over Muslim Land. Other strategies could include shutting down and ceasing Western Air Bases that come under the control of the caliphate. Another strategy would be to instigate insurrection in other parts of the Muslim world not under the Caliphate’s control where western powers may want to strike from. Most fighter jets in Muslim countries are under license and the strict control of non-Muslim nations but let’s not forget the engineering achievements Muslims have made in aviation against all the odds of having corrupt governments, Kazi. With the rise of a politically astute ideological state the Muslims can naturally break off the strangle hold that foreign nations have over all assets (including fighter jets). The state can then be free to pursue its own programme of advancing the Air Force. Your idea about technology that would ‘decimate’ western naval forces and Western air power was an interesting one. The Caliphate could use the anti-aircraft carrier missile technology that the Chinese are developing in order to counter Western navel superiority over the Tiawan straights. Kazi, you’re right to say that the Muslim world is fractured. This is firstly due to a long and complicated history of western colonial conspiracies to divide and weaken the Muslims and due to treacherous Muslim personalities lending their support to such colonial plans. This policy of divide and rule is still perpetuated by these same colonial powers and their corrupt third world surrogates (the Muslim Regimes). Any serious Political Party will no doubt have to create sufficient awareness and public opinion against the erroneous ideas that are foreign to Islam, chief among them Nationalism, Clanism and Tribalism. There are many ethnic groups within the Islamic world but this doesn’t mean they cannot be unified into one cohesive social political block. If China and the old Soviet Union could unify a diverse race of people and the Caliphate succeeded in the past in unifying the various ethnic groups what makes anyone think that the Muslim world will remain fractured or partitioned for long. If you care to respond I look forward to hearing from you Kazi. |
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tashfain
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Well Kazi brother I totally disagree with you.Its not the technology that keeps you going..Its your passion and love of Jannah that makes you superpower.For license thing there is no concept of copy right in caliphate.if we talk on this base then we own every digital product since muslims are the first who gave idea of Binary codes.we are not using our resources i.e. young people are our asset.we can use them we can transform we can built the caliphate InshALLAH. when I think about Caliphate,it gives me so much motivation that I feel Khilafah will be the place where we will get our freedom rather true freedom to do whatever we want (I mean in building a muslim superpower).This is what we want,this is our destiny brothers.it is the future of our generations InshALLAH.. |
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kazi mahmood
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Salam Nice idea though the article should have concentrated on the facts first before the too usual rhetoric...nevertheless, the Muslim world will not have an 'air force' for its caliphate for the simple reason that it is a fractured Muslim world and on top of that, most of the fighter jets produced by the Muslim countries are under license hence under the strict control of the non-Muslim nations...pitiful it is but it is true. The solution is not to have an airforce that will be decimated in minutes by the enemy if they engaged the enemy lines - they west has very sophisticated anti-aircraft weapons. It lies in the technology that will allow the decimation of the western naval forces which is 'KEY' to the air power of the western world. ************** |
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