Summary: Til the late 60s, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was dependent on foreign aircraft manufacturers for maintaining its fleet and a sizeable amount of foreign exchange was being spent for ensuring operational readiness. To achieve self-reliance in the shape of maintenance, repair and overhaul, generally known as Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO), of PAF’s fighter aircraft foundation stone of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) was laid back in 1970s. Later on aircraft manufacturing capability was also added to broaden PAC’s role and task. The complex comprises four factories broadly involved in aircraft manufacturing, MRO of existing aircraft, MRO of avionics systems, MRO of jet engines, harness manufacturing and similar other aviation related tasks. Recently a new setup named Aviation Research Innovation and Development (AvRID) has also been established. This setup is responsible to undertake research in key areas to provide technological prowess to Pakistan’s Aviation Industry by preparing technically capable human resource.
