Islamabad: Pakistan has withdrawn most of its fighter aircraft from forward operational bases as part of de-escalation of tensions with India, chief of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir said on December 17.

"Yes, we have withdrawn most of our aircraft and resumed our normal training at the peace time locations. We are back to normal training and leave," the Air Force chief told reporters after addressing a Seminar on self-reliance in Military Aviation in Islamabad.

Mir, however, said Pakistan needs to acquire high-tech aircraft to match the force levels of Indian Air Force.

Replying to a question on acquisition of modern aircraft by India, he said, "Presently, our ratios are not very bad, but added that if India continues to get more high-tech aircraft from the West or the East, this balance will tilt in India's favour.

"PAF needs to be boosted with more high-tech aircraft like AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems) and RADARS," he added.

About Pakistan's attempt to develop a modern fighter aircraft called 'super seven' in collaboration with China, he said the prototype of the plane was expected to be ready for trials in June 2003, but would take longer time for induction.

The new plane cannot be compared with the latest aircraft like F-16 and others, he said.

"It is a second tier aircraft and can be compared with Indian light combat aircraft (LCA). There can be unforeseen delays, but our all-out endeavour is to meet the deadline successfully," he said.

PTI