Untitled 1987 War Book - Discussion

[Aestas Vivax]

Ok, it is me, Aestas Vivax. My plans for a video have been significantly delayed, hence my pushing forward with the book since I have some time to spare to do so.

It is an Indo-Pak war, set either in 1987 or 1988, depending on how I want it to play out. Let's just say there's a gap of 1 year to what happened to Kahuta, enough time for both sides to arm up more than usual when compared to real life. The reason for me setting up this thread is to help me establish a reasonable military at the moment for both sides and to ensure I do not have bias. And yes, a creative license exists. (Don't worry about the war, I used a lot of my brain power to plan it out)

For now, I have set up the Air Force of both sides (Combat Aircraft only, rn) and would like to get recommendations as to what could be added.

Pakistan Air Force
Foreign Volunteers
3 Sqns of F-5Es [20 each]
3 Sqns of Mirage IIIEs [15 each]
5 sqns of Mirage Vs [11 each]
1 Sqn of AH-1s [Towcobra, 12]

Newly Raised
2 sqn of F-16A/B OCU [40 As and 4 Bs]
2 Sqn of Mirage IIIO [24 Each]

Standing
1 Sqn Mirage III [15 EPs, 3DPs]
3 Sqn Mirage Vs [58]
4 Sqn Q-5 [50]
4 Sqn J-6 [110]
3 Sqn F-16 [28 As, 12 Bs]
2 Sqn J-7 [40]
1 Sqn Mirage IIIRP [12]
2 E-3A Leased

Indian Air Force
Standing
1 It bbr sqn with 9 Canberra.
5 sqn with 80 Jaguar IS.
14 sqn with 112 MiG-21 MF/PFMA.
3 sqn with 54 MiG-23 BN/UM.
4 sqn with 56 MiG-27.
4 sqn with 74 MiG-21 FL/U.
6 sqn with 108 MiG-21 bis/U.
2 sqn with 26 MiG-23 MF/UM.
3 sqn with 54 MiG-29/UB.
2 sqn with 36 Mirage 2000H/TH.
8 Jaguar with Sea Eagle.

Newly Raised
2 sqn with MiG-23MLD [36]
3 Sqn with MiG-21bis [54]
1 Sqn with Mirage 2000H/TH [18]
2 Tu-126 and 1 A-50 Leased

 

[Azaad]

Ok, it is me, Aestas Vivax. My plans for a video have been significantly delayed, hence my pushing forward with the book since I have some time to spare to do so.

It is an Indo-Pak war, set either in 1987 or 1988, depending on how I want it to play out. Let's just say there's a gap of 1 year to what happened to Kahuta, enough time for both sides to arm up more than usual when compared to real life. The reason for me setting up this thread is to help me establish a reasonable military at the moment for both sides and to ensure I do not have bias. And yes, a creative license exists. (Don't worry about the war, I used a lot of my brain power to plan it out)

For now, I have set up the Air Force of both sides (Combat Aircraft only, rn) and would like to get recommendations as to what could be added.

Pakistan Air Force
Foreign Volunteers
3 Sqns of F-5Es [20 each]
3 Sqns of Mirage IIIEs [15 each]
5 sqns of Mirage Vs [11 each]
1 Sqn of AH-1s [Towcobra, 12]

Newly Raised
2 sqn of F-16A/B OCU [40 As and 4 Bs]
2 Sqn of Mirage IIIO [24 Each]

Standing
1 Sqn Mirage III [15 EPs, 3DPs]
3 Sqn Mirage Vs [58]
4 Sqn Q-5 [50]
4 Sqn J-6 [110]
3 Sqn F-16 [28 As, 12 Bs]
2 Sqn J-7 [40]
1 Sqn Mirage IIIRP [12]
2 E-3A Leased

Indian Air Force
Standing
1 It bbr sqn with 9 Canberra.
5 sqn with 80 Jaguar IS.
14 sqn with 112 MiG-21 MF/PFMA.
3 sqn with 54 MiG-23 BN/UM.
4 sqn with 56 MiG-27.
4 sqn with 74 MiG-21 FL/U.
6 sqn with 108 MiG-21 bis/U.
2 sqn with 26 MiG-23 MF/UM.
3 sqn with 54 MiG-29/UB.
2 sqn with 36 Mirage 2000H/TH.
8 Jaguar with Sea Eagle.

Newly Raised
2 sqn with MiG-23MLD [36]
3 Sqn with MiG-21bis [54]
1 Sqn with Mirage 2000H/TH [18]
2 Tu-126 and 1 A-50 Leased

Check out on the MiG-25 , NATO codename Foxbat in the IAF & IIRC the last of the Maruts were still operational though on the way out just as the MiG-21 are today. From the PAF perspective they had the P-3C Orions though I'm not sure if they were already inducted in 1987.

However I'm not also sure whether these details are important to your plot.

Impressive culling of facts from that era of operational FA & Bombers btw. Much impressed. Two thumbs up !!

 

[Aestas Vivax]

Check out on the MiG-25 , NATO codename Foxbat in the IAF & IIRC the last of the Maruts were still operational though on the way out just as the MiG-21 are today. From the PAF perspective they had the P-3C Orions though I'm not sure if they were already inducted in 1987.

However I'm not also sure whether these details are important to your plot.

Impressive culling of facts from that era of operational FA & Bombers btw. Much impressed. Two thumbs up !!

Maruts were fully decommissioned by around, 1986? Since they were essentially replaced by like MiG-23BNs. The same happened to the Hunters as the Jaguars replaced them. Could put a Sqn of Ajeets in New Delhi, that is for sure.

MiG-25s in IAF service was recon only but may add a Sqn of MiG-31s, and reduce the MiG-21s to 1 Sqn [New Introduced].

Will make another post soon, with a finalized Air Force for both sides, need to read into a lot of information again. (RIP me and my 21 CIA documents and other stuff.)

I still have to look into other details and need more people to give ideas so I don't forget anything.

And yes, I am autistic remember, while it might not seem important, I do want to satisfy my cravings.

Also need to figure out how to make a graphic of I can make a visual representation of the airbases and its squadrons.

 

[Aestas Vivax]

Revised
[Note; Army Aviation will be put with the army equipment]
Pakistan Air Force
Foreign Aid
3 Sqns of F-5A/Es [20 each] [Mostly Es] [Jordon, Turkey, Saudi]
5 sqns of Mirage Vs [12 each] [Libya, UAE, Egypt via Saudi]
1 Sqn of AH-1s [Towcobra, 12] [Jordon]

Newly Raised
2 sqn of F-16A/B OCU [40 As and 4 Bs]
2 Sqn of Mirage IIIO [24 Each]

Standing
1 Sqn Mirage III [15 EPs, 3DPs]
3 Sqn Mirage Vs [58]
4 Sqn Q-5 [50]
4 Sqn J-6 [110]
3 Sqn F-16 [28 As, 12 Bs]
2 Sqn J-7 [40]
1 Sqn Mirage IIIRP [12]
2 E-3A Leased
1 sqn with 12 C-130 (5-8, 7-E), 1 L-100
1 sqn with 3 Boeing 707, 3 Falcon 20, 2 F-27-200 (with Navy), 2 Beech (1 Travel Air, 1 Baron).

1 SAR hel sqn with 4 SA-319.
1 sqn with 12 SA-316, 4 SA-321

Indian Air Force
Standing
1 It bbr sqn with 9 Canberra.
5 sqn with 80 Jaguar IS.
14 sqn with 112 MiG-21 MF/PFMA.
3 sqn with 54 MiG-23 BN/UM.
4 sqn with 56 MiG-27.
4 sqn with 74 MiG-21 FL/U.
6 sqn with 108 MiG-21 bis/U.
2 sqn with 26 MiG-23 MF/UM.
3 sqn with 54 MiG-29/UB.
2 sqn with 36 Mirage 2000H/TH.
8 Jaguar with Sea Eagle.

1 Sqn with 18 Mi-25s
1 Sqn with 18 Mi-35s

1 Rec sqn with 8 Canberra PR.57.
1 Sqn with 6 MiG-25R, 2 MiG-25U.
1 sqn with 4 HS-748.
1 sqn with 2 Gulfstream IV SRA and 2 Learjet 29.
2 sqn with 30 An-12B
6 sqn with 108 An-32 Sutlej
1 sqn with 16 BAe-748;
2 sqn with 30 Do-228;
2 sqn with 24 Il-76 Gajraj
11 sqn with 80 Mi-8, 50 Mi-17, 10 Mi-26

Newly Raised
2 sqn with MiG-23MLD [36]
2 Sqn with MiG-21bis [36]
1 Sqn with Mirage 2000H/TH [18]
1 Sqn with MiG-31 [12]
2 sqn with 48 Mi-8
2 Tu-126 and 1 A-50 Leased

 

[skunk works]

What about the singular IAF recon B707 K2899, was it operational?

 

[Aestas Vivax]

What about the singular IAF recon B707 K2899, was it operational?

Heard it was a VIP transport.

 

[Aestas Vivax]

@mist_consecutive please mention anyone who might be interested

 

[Aestas Vivax]

As per the Military Balance.

Indian Army
ARMY: 1,100,000.
HQ: 5 Regional Comd (- Fd Army), 10 Corps.
2 armd div (each 2/3 armed, 1 SP arty (2 SP fd, 1 med regt) bde).
1 mech div (each 3 mech (4/6 mech bn, 3 armd regt), 1 arty bde).
21 inf div (each 2-5 inf, 1 arty bde; some have armd regt).
11 mtn div (each 3-4 bde, 1 or more arty regt). 19 indep bde: 8 armd, 9 inf, 1 mtn, 1 AB/cdo. 5 indep arty bde.
5 AD bde.
4 engr bde.
These formations comprise:
56 tk regt (bn).
25 mech, 332 inf bn.
9 AB/cdo bn.
190 arty regt (bn): incl 1 hy, 5 MRL, 50 med (11 SP), 69 fd (3 SP), 39 mtn.
29 AD arty regt; perhaps 10 SAM gp (3-5 bty each). 7 sqn, 25 flt, Air Observation.
6 ATK/tpt, 4 liaison hel sqn.

EQUIPMENT:
MBT: 3,100 (500 in store): some 500 T-55, 900 T-72/-M1, 1,700 Vijayanta.
LIGHT TANKS: 100 PT-76.
RECCE: BRDM-2.
AIFV: 800 BMP-1/-2 (Sarath).
APC: 400 OT-62/-64, 50 BTR-60.
TOWED ARTY: over 4,000 incl: 75mm/76mm: 900 75/24 mtn, 215 Yug M-48; 88mm: 1,000 25-pdr (retiring); 100mm: 185 M-1944; 105mm: some 800 (incl M-56 pack), some 100 IFG Mk II; 130mm: 550 M-46; 140mm: 150 5.5-in (retiring); 155mm: 410 FH-77B.
SP ARTY: 105mm: 80 Abbot; 130mm: 100 mod M-46
MRL: 122mm: 80 BM-21.
MORTARS: 81mm: L16A1; 82mm: M-43; 120mm: 1,000 M-43; 160mm: 200 M-43.
ATGW: SS-11-B1, Milan, AT-3 Sagger, AT-4 Spigot.
RCL: 57mm: M-18; 84mm: Carl Gustav, 106mm: 1,000+ M-40A1.
AD GUNS 2,750: 23mm: 140 ZU 23-2, 75 ZSU-23-4
SP; 40mm: 1,245 L40/60, 790 L40/70; 94mm: 500 3.7-in.
SAM: 26 SA-6, 620 SA-7, 20 SA-8A/-B, SA-13,
SA-16, 25 Tigercat launchers.
HELICOPTERS: 9 sqn with 50 Chetak, 40 Cheetah, 30 Krishnar Mk2.

RESERVES: Territorial Army: 30 inf bn.
DEPLOYMENT:
North- 1 Corps with 2 inf, 1 mtn div; I mtn, I indep inf, 1 indep arty bde. 1 Corps with 4 inf div; 2 indep armd, I indep inf, 2 indep arty bde.
West- 1 Corps with 1 armd, I mech div; 1 Corps with 2 inf div; 1 Corps with 3 inf div.
Central - 1 Corps with 1 armd, 2 inf div, plus 3 indep div (2 inf, 1 mtn).
East -3 Corps each with 3 mtn div.
South 1 Corps with 4 inf div.

Pakistan
ARMY: 500,000+.
Corps HQ, 1 area comd.
2 armd div.
19 inf div.
6 indep armd bde.
5 indep inf bde.
7 corps arty bde (2 more forming).
4 AD arty bde. 5 engr bde.
3 armd recce regt. 1 SF gp (3 bn).
Av: 1 ac, 4 hel sqn; indep observation flt.

EQUIPMENT:
MBT: 1,980+: 150 M-47, 280 M-48A5, 50 T-54/-55, 1.300 Ch Type-59, 200 Ch Type-69.
APC: 800 M-113.
TOWED ARTY: 1,405: 85mm: 200 Ch Type-56; 88mm: 200 25-pdr; 105mm: 300 M-101, 50 M-56 pack; 122mm: 200 Ch Type-60; 130mm: 200 Ch
175 Type-59-1; 140mm: 45 5.5in; 155mm: 30 M-59, 60 M-114, 100 M-198; 203mm: 20 M-115. SP ARTY: 215: 105mm: 50 M-7; 155mm: 125 M-109A2; 203mm: 40 M-110A2.
MRL: 122mm: 36 BM-11.
MORTARS: 81mm; 120mm: AM-50, M-61. SSM: Hatf-1, Hatf-2.
ATGW: 200 Cobra, 224 TOW (incl 24 on M-901 SP).
Ch Red Arrow.
RL: 89mm: M-20 3.5-in.
RCL: 75mm: Type-52; 106mm: M-40A1.
AD GUNS: 14.5mm; 35mm: 200 GDF-002; 37mm: Ch Type-55/-65; 40mm: M1, 100 L/60; 57mm: Ch Type-59.
SAM: 100 Stinger, Redeye, 144 RBS-70, 500 Anza

AVIATION:
AIRCRAFT:
SURVEY: 1 Commander 840.
LIAISON: 1 Cessna 421, 2 Commander 690,
80 Mashshaq.
OBSERVATION: 40 O-1E, 50 Mashshaq.
HELICOPTERS:
ATTACK: 20 AH-IF (TOW).
TRANSPORT: 7 Bell 205, 10-206B, 16 Mi-8, 6 IAR/SA-315B, 23 IAR/SA-316, 35 SA-330, 5 UH-1H.

 

[Aestas Vivax]

@Joe Shearer you also might be interested

 

[skunk works]

As per the Military Balance. Indian Army ARMY: 1,100,000. HQ: 5 Regional Comd (- Fd Army), 10 Corps. 2 armd div (each 2/3 armed, 1 SP arty (2 SP fd, 1 med regt) bde). 1 mech div (each 3 mech (4/6 mech bn, 3 armd regt), 1 arty bde). 21 inf div (each 2-5 inf, 1 arty bde; some have armd regt). 11 mtn div (each 3-4 bde, 1 or more arty regt). 19 indep bde: 8 armd, 9 inf, 1 mtn, 1 AB/cdo. 5 indep arty bde. 5 AD bde. 4 engr bde. These formations comprise: 56 tk regt (bn). 25 mech, 332 inf bn. 9 AB/cdo bn. 190 arty regt (bn): incl 1 hy, 5 MRL, 50 med (11 SP), 69 fd (3 SP), 39 mtn. 29 AD arty regt; perhaps 10 SAM gp (3-5 bty each). 7 sqn, 25 flt, Air Observation. 6 ATK/tpt, 4 liaison hel sqn. EQUIPMENT: MBT: 3,100 (500 in store): some 500 T-55, 900 T-72/-M1, 1,700 Vijayanta. LIGHT TANKS: 100 PT-76. RECCE: BRDM-2. AIFV: 800 BMP-1/-2 (Sarath). APC: 400 OT-62/-64, 50 BTR-60. TOWED ARTY: over 4,000 incl: 75mm/76mm: 900 75/24 mtn, 215 Yug M-48; 88mm: 1,000 25-pdr (retiring); 100mm: 185 M-1944; 105mm: some 800 (incl M-56 pack), some 100 IFG Mk II; 130mm: 550 M-46; 140mm: 150 5.5-in (retiring); 155mm: 410 FH-77B. SP ARTY: 105mm: 80 Abbot; 130mm: 100 mod M-46 MRL: 122mm: 80 BM-21. MORTARS: 81mm: L16A1; 82mm: M-43; 120mm: 1,000 M-43; 160mm: 200 M-43. ATGW: SS-11-B1, Milan, AT-3 Sagger, AT-4 Spigot. RCL: 57mm: M-18; 84mm: Carl Gustav, 106mm: 1,000+ M-40A1. AD GUNS 2,750: 23mm: 140 ZU 23-2, 75 ZSU-23-4 SP; 40mm: 1,245 L40/60, 790 L40/70; 94mm: 500 3.7-in. SAM: 26 SA-6, 620 SA-7, 20 SA-8A/-B, SA-13, SA-16, 25 Tigercat launchers. HELICOPTERS: 9 sqn with 50 Chetak, 40 Cheetah, 30 Krishnar Mk2. RESERVES: Territorial Army: 30 inf bn. DEPLOYMENT: North- 1 Corps with 2 inf, 1 mtn div; I mtn, I indep inf, 1 indep arty bde. 1 Corps with 4 inf div; 2 indep armd, I indep inf, 2 indep arty bde. West- 1 Corps with 1 armd, I mech div; 1 Corps with 2 inf div; 1 Corps with 3 inf div. Central - 1 Corps with 1 armd, 2 inf div, plus 3 indep div (2 inf, 1 mtn). East -3 Corps each with 3 mtn div. South 1 Corps with 4 inf div. Pakistan ARMY: 500,000+. Corps HQ, 1 area comd. 2 armd div. 19 inf div. 6 indep armd bde. 5 indep inf bde. 7 corps arty bde (2 more forming). 4 AD arty bde. 5 engr bde. 3 armd recce regt. 1 SF gp (3 bn). Av: 1 ac, 4 hel sqn; indep observation flt. EQUIPMENT: MBT: 1,980+: 150 M-47, 280 M-48A5, 50 T-54/-55, 1.300 Ch Type-59, 200 Ch Type-69. APC: 800 M-113. TOWED ARTY: 1,405: 85mm: 200 Ch Type-56; 88mm: 200 25-pdr; 105mm: 300 M-101, 50 M-56 pack; 122mm: 200 Ch Type-60; 130mm: 200 Ch 175 Type-59-1; 140mm: 45 5.5in; 155mm: 30 M-59, 60 M-114, 100 M-198; 203mm: 20 M-115. SP ARTY: 215: 105mm: 50 M-7; 155mm: 125 M-109A2; 203mm: 40 M-110A2. MRL: 122mm: 36 BM-11. MORTARS: 81mm; 120mm: AM-50, M-61. SSM: Hatf-1, Hatf-2. ATGW: 200 Cobra, 224 TOW (incl 24 on M-901 SP). Ch Red Arrow. RL: 89mm: M-20 3.5-in. RCL: 75mm: Type-52; 106mm: M-40A1. AD GUNS: 14.5mm; 35mm: 200 GDF-002; 37mm: Ch Type-55/-65; 40mm: M1, 100 L/60; 57mm: Ch Type-59. SAM: 100 Stinger, Redeye, 144 RBS-70, 500 Anza AVIATION: AIRCRAFT: SURVEY: 1 Commander 840. LIAISON: 1 Cessna 421, 2 Commander 690, 80 Mashshaq. OBSERVATION: 40 O-1E, 50 Mashshaq. HELICOPTERS: ATTACK: 20 AH-IF (TOW). TRANSPORT: 7 Bell 205, 10-206B, 16 Mi-8, 6 IAR/SA-315B, 23 IAR/SA-316, 35 SA-330, 5 UH-1H.

Are IPKF operations going on concurrently?

 

[Aestas Vivax]

Are IPKF operations going on concurrently?

For the book, no.

 

[Aestas Vivax]

mapping