Subordinate To: Pakistan Air Force, Ministry of Defense
Address: Sargodha, Punjab
Pakistan
Telephone: Unlisted
Fax: Unlisted
Email: Unlisted
Primary Function: Headquarters of the Pakistan Air Force's Central Air Command and home base for nuclear-capable F-16 combat aircraft, and Hatf-III/Ghaznavi/M-11 ballistic missiles.

Description and Activities:
The Sargodha Air Force base serves as the headquarters of the Central Air Command of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The base is home to PAF's Squadrons Nos. 9 and 11, which are equipped with 32 F-16 combat aircraft. The two squadrons together constitute a flying squadron designated as the No. 38 Wing. Although Pakistan received 28 F-16/As and 12 F-16Bs (two-seat) trainer aircraft from the United States in 1983-1987, eight of the 40 aircraft are no longer in service. Analysts believe that the F-16s have been most likely modified for nuclear delivery. Some analysts believe that components or partially assembled air-deliverable nuclear devices might be stored at an ammunition depot at the Sargodha air base.

Pakistan's nuclear-capable, short-range, solid-fueled Hatf III/Ghaznavi/M-11 (total number estimated at 34-80) ballistic missiles are also believed to be stored at facilities near the Central Ammunition Depot on Kirana Hills at Sargodha. The evidence captured on US satellite imagery includes missile crates; storage sheds for transporter-erector launch vehicles; missile maintenance facilities; and housing for missile crews. The Pakistani military has also been sighted conducting simulated launches with assistance from visiting Chinese experts. Indian intelligence sources believe that during a crisis or war, the missiles would be dispersed and re-deployed at Gujranwala, Okara, Multan, Jhang, and Dera Nawab Shah, where defense terminals have been constructed.

Key Sources: "Sargodha Air Base: Central Ammunition Depot-Pakistan Special Weapons Facilities," Federation of American Scientists, November 2003, <http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/facility/sargodha.htm>; "Pakistan's Nuclear Forces, 2001," NRDC Nuclear Notebook, November 2003, <http://www.thebulletin.org/issues/nukenotes/jf02nukenote.html>; "Pakistan Air Force," <http://www.geocities.com/baja/dunes/1107/intro.htm>; "Pak. Reactor, missile site photos posted on the internet," The Tribune (Chandigarh, Punjab), 16 March 2000, <http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000316/main1.htm>; "Pakistan Fiza'ya," F-16.net, <http://www.f-16.net/reference/users/f16_pk.html>.

	Updated December 2003