SORC Defence
Client Force Profile

Pakistan Armed Forces

Pak Fauj · Islamic Republic of Pakistan · Est. 1947

The Pakistan Armed Forces comprise the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), and Pakistan Navy — collectively one of the largest and most capable military establishments in South Asia, with a combined strength of 654,000 active personnel. Operating a mixed Western and Chinese fleet across all domains, Pakistan's armed forces are a primary client for SORC's procurement advisory, NSN parts sourcing, and export licensing services — particularly for F-16 components subject to ITAR controls and Army platforms requiring EAR compliance.

Key Metrics
654,000
Total Armed Forces
All branches combined
560,000
Army Personnel
Pakistan Army (PA)
70,000
Air Force Personnel
Pakistan Air Force (PAF)
24,000
Navy Personnel
Pakistan Navy (PN)
$10.4B
Defence Budget
FY 2024–25 (est.)
~3.5%
GDP on Defence
2024 estimate

Sources: IISS Military Balance 2024; Pakistan Ministry of Finance; SIPRI Military Expenditure Database 2024.

Air Force — Aircraft Inventory
Platform / SystemRoleQty (est.)Origin
JF-17 Thunder Blk I/IIMulti-role fighter~150Pakistan / China
F-16A/B/C/D Fighting FalconAir superiority / strike~75USA
Dassault Mirage III / VStrike / recce~100France
Chengdu J-7PGInterceptor (phasing out)~50China
Saab 2000 AEW&C (Erieye)Airborne early warning4Sweden
Dassault Falcon 20Maritime patrol3France
C-130B/E/H HerculesStrategic transport~12USA
IL-78 MidasAir-to-air refuelling4Russia / Ukraine
Army — Key Land Systems
Platform / SystemRoleQty (est.)Origin
Al-Khalid (MBT-2000)Main battle tank~320Pakistan / China
T-80UDMain battle tank~320Ukraine
Al-ZarrarMain battle tank (upgraded T-59)~1,200Pakistan
M113 / APC-70Armoured personnel carrier~1,000+USA / Pakistan
M109A5 Paladin155mm self-propelled howitzer~115USA
Pakistan Navy — Principal Vessels
Platform / SystemRoleQty (est.)Origin
Agosta 90B (Khalid-class)Attack submarine3France
Agosta 70 (Hashmat-class)Attack submarine2France
F-22P Zulfiquar-classFrigate4China
PNS Babur (Sword-class)Destroyer1UK (ex-RN)
Azmat-classFast attack craft (missile)4China
Active Modernisation Programmes
JF-17 Block III
AESA radar, HMDS, PL-15 BVR missile integration — 50 on order; deliveries from 2023
F-16 Mid-Life Upgrade
APG-68(V)9 radar, Link 16 datalink, JHMCS — US FMS programme
MALE UAV Fleet
Wing Loong II and Bayraktar TB2 for ISR / strike; Shahpar-II domestic UAV in service
Hangor-class Submarine
8 × Type 039B (Yuan-class) submarines contracted with China; first delivery 2028
Air Defence Modernisation
HQ-9/P SAM batteries replacing legacy Crotale; LY-80 (HQ-16) medium-range SAM in service
SORC Engagement

SORC provides the Pakistan Armed Forces with NATO Stock Number (NSN) parts sourcing across all three service branches, export licensing support under UK SIEL/OIEL and US FMS/DCS frameworks, and procurement advisory for Western-origin platforms including F-16 components subject to ITAR controls and Army platforms requiring EAR compliance. All transactions are conducted in full compliance with US State Department, ECJU, and applicable sanctions requirements.

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